Federal Work-Study
Frequently Asked Questions
Required Employment Documents
Job Listings
Prospective Community Service Agency Information
What is Federal Work-Study?
Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a federally funded program that provides part-time jobs for undergraduate students with financial need. Eligible students have an opportunity to earn money while gaining valuable work experience in on or off-campus jobs.
Students may use these earnings to offset their educational and personal expenses. The FWS program encourages community service and work related to a student's field of study.
Who is eligible for FWS?
Any undergraduate, full-time students who are eligible for work-study will be notified on their Financial Aid Award letter. Eligibility is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and work-study awards, similar to all financial aid sources, are NOT guaranteed from one year to the next.
It is important that students meet all financial aid deadlines and submit all applications, as priority for work-study is given to those with significant financial need and those who file their FAFSA by March 1 of each academic year.
Students must submit all required documents to the Office of Financial Aid, have their financial aid file verified, and complete all required employment forms before beginning work. Students with incomplete requirements should check StagWeb or contact the Office of Financial Aid.
Graduate and Continuing Studies students are NOT eligible for work-study. Click here for more information about graduate assistantships.
If I am NOT eligible for FWS, where can I find a part-time job?
There are very few University offices and facilities that hire students who do not qualify for FWS. These offices include the Recreation Complex and the Athletics Department. Also, students can visit the Student Employment Online Job Board or contact the Career Planning Center for more information.
How much money can I earn?
Awards are typically $1,500 per year, but may vary. Students can earn their full award either throughout the academic year (fall/spring semesters) or during one semester, if studying abroad for the other semester. Most on-campus jobs pay students the Connecticut state hourly minimum wage. Community service jobs pay $15.00/hour, science laboratory jobs pay $9.00/hour, certified lifeguard and research jobs pay $8.50/hour.
What types of jobs are available?
Work-study jobs can be on or off campus. There are over 500 on-campus jobs and 19 off-campus community agencies that also offer jobs. Types of jobs available are: clerical, research, data entry, athletic, lifeguard, mentor, tutor, science lab assistant.
Off-campus community agency jobs are typically associated with private, non-profit organizations, community service or public agencies, where the work performed is in the public interest.
How do I search for a job?
Students have both the opportunity and responsibility of finding and securing their work-study job. Beginning June 1 each year, students can view the Job Listings and start to apply for jobs. Jobs are NOT guaranteed.
It is important for students to begin their job search as early in the summer as possible. Jobs can be filled very quickly. Many students may be applying for the same jobs and the interviewing and hiring process can be timely for both students and supervisors. It is important to be patient yet persistent during this process. An offer of FWS does not guarantee a job, but the Office of Financial Aid will assist any student if they are unsuccessful during the job search process.
How do I apply for a job?
Students are required to submit the Work-Study Student Interest Form via e-mail to the appropriate supervisor(s) for jobs of interest. Students are NOT automatically hired when this form is submitted. Students who plan to return to their previous job do not have to submit this form and must confirm with their supervisor that they will be hired again.
It is recommended that students apply to multiple jobs and manage their applications carefully. Students may be contacted for interviews and/or offered a job and should communicate with the hiring supervisor of their decision to accept/decline the job offer. Once students decide to accept a job offer, they should notify all other supervisors they applied for jobs with that they are no longer available. Students can contact the FWS Staff if they have trouble finding a job.
How do I get hired?
Supervisors are required to submit hiring requests to the Office of Financial Aid. After the hiring request is processed, both the student and supervisor will receive Job Confirmation E-mails, indicating the job status. If a student's financial aid file is complete and FWS is approved, the hiring process may take 2-5 days. If a student's financial aid file and/or FWS is not yet approved, the hiring process can take several days or weeks to complete. Students who would like to begin work, but have not received the confirmation e-mail, should contact the Office of Financial Aid to inquire about the status of their file and FWS award.
When can I start working?
Students can begin working only AFTER the receipt of an approved Job Confirmation E-mail from the Office of Financial Aid.
This e-mail indicates the status of the details of the FWS job assignment.
How do I change my job?
If a student recieved a Job Confirmation E-mail, but is NOT interested in working that particular job, he/she is required to notify the hiring supervisor AND the Office of Financial Aid immediately (via e-mail or phone) to decline the job.
If, after a student begins working and decides the job is not a good fit, he/she must notify both their supervisor and the Office of Financial Aid to change their FWS employment status and begin looking for a new job.
Can I work two jobs?
It is generally not recommended, but if academic and other personal schedules permit, students are permitted to work two work-study jobs. Students must inform both of the FWS supervisors AND the Office of Financial Aid prior to working either job.
Students are required to complete all of the following employment forms prior to beginning work. These forms must be completed and submitted to the Office of Financial Aid.
State of Connecticut W-4: All students employed in the State of Connecticut must complete a state employee tax withholding form. Download, print and complete the State of Connecticut W-4.
Federal W-4: All students must complete a federal tax withholding form. Download, print and complete the Federal W-4.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students the right to privacy regarding their educational records. Some FWS jobs permit students to have access to confidential records and information for the University and for other students. Fairfield University requires that all FWS employees become familiar with this law to ensure it is not violated. Download, print and complete the FERPA form.
Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification: Federal regulation requires that all employees provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States.
Prior to beginning work, students MUST bring in original identification documentation as required of the Form I-9 (photocopies will NOT be accepted). The Form I-9 MUST be completed in person by the student, NOT by a parent, AND must be accompanied by the acceptable forms of identification.
a. Visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services web page to view the acceptable forms of identification
b. Click on Immigration Forms (top margin)
c. Click on Employment Based Forms (in left margin)
d. Scroll down to the I-9 form
e. Click on Employment Eligibility Verification link and download this form. It will provide you a list of acceptable employment documents.
Any student interested in having their paycheck automatically deposited into a checking and/or savings account may do so. Click here for more information about this process.
Prospective Community Service Agency Information
This section is for our current community agency partners OR for community agencies who would like to learn more about our work-study program. Please view our FWS Community Service Agency Supervisor Handbook.