Types of student employment programs

• Federal-Work Study is a federally funded campus-based program designed to create additional job opportunities for students eligible to participate in need-based financial aid programs.
• The hiring department pays only a percentage of the student's wages; the federal government subsidizes the remaining portion.
• The program encourages community service work and work related to the student's course of study.
• An FWS award is not disbursed in a lump sum, but through biweekly paychecks for hours actually worked. Therefore, you must meet eligibility requirements throughout your period of employment.
• An FWS award will NOT automatically credit your university charges.
• FWS is awarded as part of your financial aid package. To activate your FWS award, you still need to apply and be hired for an FWS job. As an incoming student for the fall semester, you may start working in an FWS position on the first day of fall classes. Once all the federal funds have been committed, the program closes.
• As an FWS employee, you are limited to earning the amount of your FWS award. Once you reach your earning limitation, the employer has the option of continuing your employment under the Hourly Employment Program. Due to budget restrictions, there is no guarantee of an hourly continuation. You may need to seek other employment options.
• Paychecks will be available in your department (or at the Cashier's Office on the Tempe campus for off-campus FWS jobs). You may also enroll in direct deposit through My ASU under the Employee Self Service and Payroll & Compensation section.
• FWS earnings are considered taxable income by the IRS.
• When you complete your FAFSA for the next academic year, you need to deduct your FWS earnings from your reported income using Worksheet C. FWS earnings are considered financial aid and are not included in the calculation of your Expected Family Contribution.

To work in an FWS position, you should:

• Have a completed FAFSA for the current academic year on file and be eligible for need-based aid.
• Have an FWS award listed on your Financial Aid Notification via My ASU. View your FAN online here.
• If FWS does not appear on your FAN, submit a Federal Work-Study Adjustment Form to request an FWS award.
• Meet the Standard Student Eligibility Criteria.
• Be enrolled at least half time at ASU.
  • Undergraduate students = 6+ credit hours.
  • Graduate students = 5+ credit hours.

• You may not work during the hours you are scheduled to be in class.
• US citizens or eligible noncitizens may not work more than an average of 25 hours a week (or 62.5% FTE) over a rolling 12 month period. This maximum applies to the combined total of all jobs, including hours associated with stipends paid for services.
• Graduate assistants may work a total of 20 hours a week.
• If you are planning to work over the summer, you will need to enroll in summer classes. If you are not enrolled for summer sessions, you must:
  • Have a completed FAFSA for the current academic year on file and be eligible for need-based aid.
  • Have a completed FAFSA for the coming academic year on file and be eligible for need-based aid.
  Your FWS earnings during this time of non-enrollment will be considered as a resource for the next enrollment period, which could affect your financial aid awards for the coming academic year.
• FWS employment must end the day of graduation.

The application process can take up to 30 minutes. To speed up the process, have your resume, cover letter and three references completed before starting the process. Uploading your resume and cover letter is recommended.

• Go to Job Search and select “Search On-Campus Jobs.”
• Enter your ASURITE User ID and password.
• Select “Search openings.”
• Under Student Recruitment Type, select “Student Hire Work study.”
• Check the box of the job you are interested in and click “Apply to job(s).”
• Complete the Standard Application Questions.
• Complete or upload your resume and contact information.
• You may upload attachments if the job description requires more information.
• Enter three different references’ names and contact information.
• Complete the EEO Survey.
• Submit application.

Please allow approximately two weeks to receive a response to your application. If you are invited for an interview, review this information about interviewing.

• On-Campus FWS Program: Offers jobs on all ASU campuses.
• Off-Campus FWS Program: Provides employment opportunities in federal, state and local public agencies, or private nonprofit organizations.
• Community Service FWS: Engages students in improving the quality of life for community residents available on and off campus. Under Job Search, enter "Community Services FWS" in the Keyword text field when searching for these jobs.
• America Reads: In partnership with a public school or school district, Community Engagement Ambassadors create fun, hands-on activities that meet the academic needs of the individual child and assist with homework, reading and mathematics.