Federal Work Study Program: Overview

The Federal Work Study (FWS) Program is a type of financial aid which provides an opportunity for employment that requires a few special steps and some pre-planning.

There are four major steps that make up the Federal Work Study process:

1.      File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year.  A FAFSA may be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education on-line at the following website: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov or by completing and mailing a paper FAFSA.  Answer “Yes” to question #28 indicating your interest in student employment.  Priority consideration for FWS will be given to students who file their FAFSA each year before March 10^th.  Financial need, as determined by the federal government, is also a consideration in being awarded FWS.

2.      Review your Financial Aid Award letter.  If you have been offered Federal Work Study as part of your financial aid award, you may accept it on your Award Decision Form on-line through PCStar or return it to the Office of Financial Aid and Student Accounts (OFA/SA) in Lawshe 130.  Any questions concerning your FWS eligibility may be directed to the Office of Financial Aid and Student Accounts.

3.      Attend a FWS orientation coordinated by The Center for Career and Leadership Development.  To enroll for this orientation and for further information regarding the Federal Work Study process, please contact the Federal Work Study Coordinator whose office is located in SFLC 349 or by calling (219) 989-2419.

4.      Maintain FWS eligibility for the academic year by:

• Being enrolled at least half-time which is 6 credit hours in the Fall or Spring semester and 3 credit hours in the summer semester

• Making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as determined by the Office of Financial Aid and Student Accounts

Note:  Summer Federal Work Study eligibility will be automatically determined for all students who are enrolled in summer classes at least half time and who were placed in FWS positions during Fall and/or Spring semesters.

A Student Employee with Federal Work-Study: A definition

A student employee is a part-time employee currently enrolled at Purdue University Calumet with the primary goal of achieving a degree. Thus, the employment is interim or temporary in nature and is incidental to the pursuit of an academic program. Student employment status is at will, and is generally expected to last at least a semester in length (barring illness, unsatisfactory grades, schedule changes, emergency situation, performance issues, suspension or other agreements made with their supervisors.)

A student employee with a Federal Work Study (FWS) award is able to have their wages subsidized through the FWS Program. Federal funds contribute 70% of the student’s wages and require the employer to pay only the remaining 30%. This employer incentive allows more work opportunity to work-study eligible students. The maximum number of hours a student employee should work without jeopardizing his/her academic progress is unique to each student and should be determined by the student and supervisor(s).

All hourly paid student jobs are temporary and thus, not eligible to participate in the University staff benefits program.

Students employed within the Federal Work-Study Program:

1. Do not accrue sick leave/vacation
2. Do not receive pay for holidays
3. Only compensated for hours worked
4. Covered under Worker’s Compensation for job related injuries

Please note: Being awarded FWS does not guarantee that you will find a placement.