Work Study Program

What is Federal Work Study?

The Federal Work Study (FWS) program is a federally funded financial aid program that enables students who have a financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to earn money for college costs by working on campus.  FWS encourages community service, so off-campus jobs in the community may be available.

Students participating in FWS must be enrolled at least half time (6 credit hours) and maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP).  FWS may be awarded in the fall, spring, and/or summer if available.  Students are paid by the hour, and the amount a student earns cannot exceed the total FWS award.

The Federal Work-Study Procedure for Securing a Campus Job

If you indicated you are interested in Work-Study on your FAFSA, you should check with The Enrollment Services Office to ensure you are eligible or complete an employment application in Enrollment Services.

If you are selected for a position, you will receive a call regarding an interview process. If hired you must complete all payroll and student financial services paperwork. You cannot begin work until all paperwork is complete.

Student Eligibility Requirements

You must have financial unmet need to be eligible to participate in the FWS program. Need is determined by the Enrollment Services Office based on the results of the student’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA). Students who are interested are asked to complete a FWS employment application and submit it to the Ernollment Services Office.

Expectations

  • You must work to earn the money you receive
  • You can work a maximum of 20 hours a week during Fall and Spring semesters unless otherwise agreed upon
  • You can work up to 40 hours a week during the Summer semester
  • You are not paid to study
  • You are eligible to work in one department (cannot work in multiple areas to gain more hours)

Benefits

  • Flexible work schedule
  • Work experience
  • Provides part-time employment while you are enrolled in school
  • Available to all students with unmet financial need

Lunch Breaks

Student Workers are allowed to take 30 minute lunch break if they work 6 hours or more in one day. If a student works 8 hours in one day they are allowed a full hour break. However, their breaks must be reflected on their time sheets.

Student Wages

Students are paid Bi-weekly. Students are paid based on minimum wage.

Time Sheets

Due to federal regulations, you cannot work during your scheduled class time even if your class has been cancelled that day!

Required Human Resource Documentation

Students must also complete an I-9 and W-4 form. These forms must be on file with the Human Resources Office. FWS earnings are taxable and will be reported to the federal government as such. Students must have direct deposit to a bank/credit union account for payments.

Community Service Requirements

The college is required to spend at least 7% of its FWS funding on community service positions unless a waiver is granted to the institution. The Enrollment Services Office places students off campus in community service positions. Please consider working in these positions so that Fletcher’s FWS funding is continued to help the community.

Inappropriate Activity

Any student who misuses college equipment or supplies, or commits any other serious infraction of the Fletcher’s Code of Student Conduct will be subject to disciplinary action by the appropriate college authority. Students who have been proven to have engaged in such conduct may expect serious consequences, including termination from the FWS program.

Sexual Harassment

The college maintains an environment for work and study free from sexual harassment. You are encouraged to report concerns or complaints. Prompt corrective measures will be taken to stop sexual harassment whenever it occurs.

Rights and Responsibilities

Student Employee

By accepting a Work-Study (FWS) position, students become members of a department or agency that depends on them. Students should report to work on time, notify the supervisor when they will be late or absent, and dress appropriately for the work location (dress code should be discussed during the interview). When asking for time off, students should consider the employer’s needs as well as their own. In addition, some FWS positions may require access to confidential information. Students will be asked to sign a confidentiality statement, a copy of which is maintained in the department and the original is filed in the Enrollment Services Office. Abuse or misuse of such authorization is grounds for dismissal and other disciplinary action.

If a problem develops on the job, the first point of contact should be the supervisor. If the problem cannot be resolved the student should contact the Enrollment Services Office for resolution or possible further referral. Quitting a Work-Study job should be the last resort. There is no guarantee that the Work-Study award can be replaced with another type of aid or that you can secure another Work-Study position. Failure to follow expected policies and regulations may result in the cancellation of the Work-Study award and the loss of the Work-Study position. Acceptance of a position through Work-Study implies a commitment to the employer for at least one semester unless a prior arrangement is agreed upon.

Supervisors

For a Work-Study program to succeed, supervisors must make certain commitments to student employees. The supervisor must work with the work-study employee to make sure that the job never conflicts with the student’s education. The student’s first responsibility is to obtain an education. Supervisors are expected to adequately train students in their responsibilities and to provide helpful guidance as needed. While students may temporarily or occasionally perform duties that are normally those of a regular employee, it is against federal law to replace a regular employee with a work-study employee.

The supervisor also agrees to monitor the work-study student’s time sheet and to sign it at the appropriate time after the student has signed the document. The Human Resource Office provides a schedule of when time sheets are due. The interview and other preliminary discussions should cover such areas as the pay-rate, the acceptable dress code, and scheduling. The supervisor should of course, make certain that adequate work is available for the position and know that just as with any other employment, the wages must be earned. Supervisors also accept and acknowledge that any monies earned above the student’s original or adjusted Work-Study award is the 100% responsibility of the employing department or agency.

Student Work Study Application

(Not Active yet) Students can apply for Federal Work Study through their LoLA account:

  1. Name
  2. Position applying for (options: Student Services, Library, Business Office, Administration & IPT)
  3. Telephone number & Email Address
  4. ID number
  5. Do you have outside employment? If yes,  where?
  6. Do you live on Nicholls’ campus?