Federal Work Study

To be eligible for FWS, a student must meet the following criteria:

• Have completed the FAFSA for the appropriate academic year.
• Have submitted all financial aid requirements.
• Demonstrate financial need.
• Be enrolled at least halftime (usually at least 3 credits, but there are exceptions).
• Be matriculated in a degree seeking program.

Depending on a student’s eligibility, the usual FWS award is $5,400.00 for the academic year. Students do not need to reapply for FWS each term. Most positions pay $15 per hour. This works out to be about 10 hours per week over 3 terms. Students should not work more than 20 hours per week with the exception of summer work where a student can potentially work over the 20 hours. Students are responsible for managing their FWS hours and may not work in excess of their FWS award as part of their financial aid package. To view further details, please read the below document:

Federal Work Study Guide

Jobs range from typical library and office work, to assisting in labs and participating in research. Use the below link to view potential FWS job positions on both the PCOM Pennsylvania and GA-PCOM Georgia campuses:

FWS Job Listing Summary Sheet

It is the student’s responsibility to seek out and apply for a FWS job by contacting supervisors/departments listed on the FWS Job Listing Summary Sheet. After a student has been hired for a work study position, the student or supervisor will notify the financial aid office so that our office can add Federal Work Study to the student’s financial aid award. The financial aid office will then send a Federal Work Study Award Form to the student via email. The student and job supervisor will complete the FWS Award Form and return it to their appropriate financial aid office. If a student is new to the FWS program, the student may also need to complete additional forms.

Once all the forms are received and reviewed by the financial aid office, the student and the job supervisor will receive a Federal Work Study Authorization Email. This email will describe the amount of the work study award, the number of hours that the student may work, and the name of the supervisor & timekeeper. A student may not begin to work until this Authorization email has been received!

To view additional details on eligibility, terms, and applying for Federal Work Study, please view the:

Federal Work Study Guide

If you have additional questions, please contact your respective financial aid office: