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What is the Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program?
The Federal Work Study Program provides jobs that accommodate class schedules for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay educational expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to your course of study whenever possible. Federal Work Study is a federal needs-based work program that determines eligibility through the FAFSA.
Most Federal Work-Study (FWS) jobs are available on campus, but there are possibilities that some Federal Work-Study (FWS) jobs are located off-campus. FWS awards are deducted from your financial need/cost of attendance and the award is paid to the student via paycheck, per institution pay schedule. Wages are paid directly to the student and never applied to outstanding bills. Federal Work-Study funds are limited. Employment and/or positions are not guaranteed for all those who qualify or who apply.
Eligibility Requirements:
- FAFSA on file
- Financial need present based on FAFSA
- You must be enrolled in a minimum of six program applicable credit hours and maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher.
- eligible for hiring as determined by KCTCS Hiring Policies.
- You must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
- a supervisor's willingness to hire you.
- Work-study is available as long as federal funding and employment are accessible.
Your total FWS award may depend on:
- when you apply;
- your level of financial need/cost of attendance;
- your school's funding level;
- number of hours a week a student can work;
- number of credit hours you are enrolled in
- period of employment;
- anticipated wage rate; and
- successful job placement
When and how much does a FWS job pay?
The Federal College Work-Study Program provides jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to your course of study whenever possible. Federal Work-Study wages are $13.00 per hour paid in arrears on the 15th and 30th of each month. Your total Federal Work-Study award amount depends on when you apply, your level of need, and the amount of Federal Work Study (FWS) Program funding for the current academic year. Students can be eligible to work up to 29 hours a week depending upon unmet need and the funding available. The award amount listed on your award notification is the maximum you may earn during the award period. You are not guaranteed to earn this amount, but rather is a reasonable estimate of what you should be able to earn.
How do I apply for Federal Work Study?
To view the list of available jobs as well as their location, please contact our office for the Federal Work-Study Request at BL-FA-FWS@kctcs.edu for the appropriate aid year.
Once our office receives your request, we will begin processing your eligibility and forward you any additional information regarding your Federal Work-Study request.
If you are awarded Federal Work-Study, you will receive via e-mail, your official FWS packet. With necessary documents to begin the FWS program.
Please note that Federal Work-Study (FWS) funds are limited and awarded on a “first come first served” basis. This means that once FWS funds (FWS money the federal government allocated to the college for FWS awards) are exhausted, the BCTC Financial Aid Office cannot award additional funds until the next upcoming academic year which is when FWS funds are available again.
Note: If you were awarded federal work-study and declined the award or the award was cancelled because you did not meet the required deadline, but you are now interested you can submit a new work-study request form.
What if I don't want to participate in the Federal Work-Study Program?
If you don't want to participate, you may decline your Federal Work-Study Award on your Student Self-Service account.
Where can I find more information?
For your convenience, all of the Federal Work Study (FWS) forms are available on the Affording College webpage. Forms available are: FWS request form for students and job description for supervisors.
(Financial Aid > Applying for Aid)