Work Study
Departments may hire students who are Federal Work-Study award recipients to their financial benefit. Under this program, departments are only responsible for covering 25% of the earnings while the Federal Government covers the other 75% of the total wages earned.
Students and departments should always do their best to track the remaining balance of FWS funds (in gross), but the Student Employment Office will send a notification when the student’s gross award balance approaches below $500. We will work with the Office of Financial Aid and the student to determine if an increase in funding is appropriate.
The funding period is September 1 through May 15 each fiscal year. The FY24 cost center for the 75% is 61055051.
Departments will be responsible for covering earnings in excess of the student’s overall award amount. These funds are tracked by the total earned, not just against the 25% portion that is taken from the department’s selected cost center.
Tracking a federal work-study award should start with knowing the amount received:
Work Study Award Total ÷ Hourly Pay Rate = Total hours under FWS job code.
It is a good idea to be in the habit of checking the student’s award each pay period. If the student works in excess of their usual hourly commitment (fal break, spring break, or holiday break) or their hourly rate increases, it depletes their award quicker, reducing the amount of available funds. A student’s award may change without this information being provided to the Student Employment Office since financial aid is dynamic. It is the student’s responsibility to notify their department of changes to their federal work study award.
Students who receive Federal Work-Study funds can view their award in the Orion Student Center under the “Financial Aid” screen. You can request an email or screenshot confirmation as proof of Work-Study award, if required.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact the Student Employment Office.