Work Study

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a federally funded campus-based program. FWS allows students to earn money on campus or at a public or private nonprofit organization. The funds are to help pay for your educational expenses. In addition, this federal program can help students gain valuable work experience.

Students must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as part of the application process for FWS assistance. The FAFSA is on the Web at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. If you are not awarded FWS and wish to be on the Waitlist (pending the availability of additional funding), please email us your full name, email, and EMPL ID.

Students may be employed by:

  • The institution itself.
  • A national, state, or local public agency.
  • A private nonprofit organization.
  • A private for-profit organization.

On Campus

Placement is made on-campus at either an academic department, an administrative office, or with a faculty. Students who accept their FWS grant will receive via email the available jobs where they can apply for positions.

Organizations off campus have a contract with CUNY to hire FWS students. The organizations are within the five boroughs, and starting salary varies depending on the position.

Off Campus

We allow students to choose the job of their choice and decide which offer to accept. Select the position best suited for you, as that will be your job site for the entire placement period, provided you continue to meet all FWS Program requirements. Once approved for hire, you and your work-study supervisor will receive an approval notification by email from the work-study coordinator. You may then begin to work.

If you have any other questions about your Federal Work-Study job, don’t hesitate to contact the Office of Financial Aid at financialaidoffice@law.cuny.edu.

FWS Program Guidelines

  • You must be “placed” (hired) in a FWS position before the student can work and get paid.
  • You must be enrolled, in good academic standing, and not in default on student loans.
  • You must enroll for at least six credits during the semester(s) that you are working.
    This requirement only applies to the Fall and Spring semesters. Summer school enrollment is optional for students working during the Summer. However, to work during the Summer, students must be registered for six credits for Fall.
  • You must have a valid Social Security number.
  • If you want to apply for federal work-study positions must contact the office at financialaidoffice@law.cuny.edu.
  • If you are interested in working off campus can view our list of available jobs in the Financial Aid Office or email financialaidoffice@law.cuny.edu for it.
  • Both supervisors and students are responsible for monitoring the total hours earned.
  • Scholarships may affect your FWS award. If you receive scholarships during the academic year, inform the Financial Aid Office of the amount of the scholarship(s) and the semester term(s) awarded.
  • Per the program guidelines, you must be a United States citizen or an eligible non-citizen.
  • You must have a current FAFSA on file.
  • You must provide additional documents according to CUNYfirst’s “To-Do List” if required.
  • You must certify by signing a FAFSA that you will use any federal student aid funds awarded to you solely for educational purposes.
  • You must certify by signing a FAFSA that you are not in default of any federal student loan and do not owe a repayment of any federal student aid grant.

Rollovers

If you didn’t earn the total award amount during the Summer, you may work during the Fall 2023, Intersession 2024, or Spring 2024 semesters under the following conditions:

  • You have remaining FWS funds
  • You are taking at least six (6) credits

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Public Service Corps?

Public Service Corps (PSC) is a paid internship that uses your Federal Work-Study grant. The PSC provides students with opportunities to serve their communities, build professional skills and learn about careers in the public sector.

A PSC internship links meaningful community service experience with academic learning, personal growth, and civic responsibility. The starting salary varies, and PSC has a separate contract. If interested, you must submit your resume and application to financialaidoffice@law.cuny.edu.

How much money can I earn through the FWS Program?

You can make a fixed maximum amount of money for the academic year. The average federal work-study offer is $3,000 for the academic year. How much of the total award you receive depends upon your financial need and funding availability. You will have to stop working once you receive your maximum award.

How much money can I earn through the FWS Program?

You can make a fixed maximum amount of money for the academic year. The average federal work-study offer is $3,000 for the academic year. How much of the total award you receive depends upon your financial need and funding availability. You will have to stop working once you receive your maximum award.

Do I have to stop working if I withdraw from school?

Yes. If you leave school for any reason, you lose your eligibility for FWS and must stop working.

If I participate in the FWS Program this year, is it guaranteed that I will get an FWS offer next year?

No. Participating in the FWS Program for over a year does not guarantee an award for the next academic year.

You must apply by completing the FAFSA each year to determine your eligibility for FWS funds.

When will I be paid?

Each payroll period is two weeks.

You must submit all timesheets by the deadline dates listed on the payroll schedule to ensure timely payment. Late timesheets are paid the next payroll cycle.

Note: Students can submit their timesheets before the due date once they have finished working for the pay period.
Supervisors must approve time sheets by the deadline listed on the payroll schedule.

Do I have to complete a Work Study Contract?

Yes. The FWS student/employer contract is a formal agreement between you and your employer, which outlines the terms and conditions under which you may work. Please review this document to understand your rights and responsibilities clearly.

Your future supervisor will sign the contract and other necessary documents upon agreeing to hire you. Read the agreement, sign the bottom portion, and return all forms to the Office of Financial Aid. You can then begin to work. A timesheet can only be processed for payment if filled out correctly.

The contract contains your name, CUNYfirst emplid, address, and telephone number. It also provides the assigned supervisor’s name and the location of the job site. The award amount is on the contract, along with the hourly rate of pay and total hours needed to earn the award. Check the agreement before getting signatures to ensure all the information is correct

How do I access my FWS W-2s?

Federal Work Study Payroll Self-Service features to access your FWS W-2s are available on your CUNYfirst account.

For students who have or are participating in the FWS program for the 2023-2024 academic year

  • Payroll self-service features are on Campus Solutions and Human Capital Management on CUNYfirst by following the navigations below:
    • Campus Solutions >> Self-Service >> Payroll and Compensation or
    • Human Capital Management >> Self-Service >> Payroll and Compensation

For students who have not participated in the FWS program for the 2023-2024 academic year or participated in FWS a prior year

  • Payroll self-service features can only be accessed from Campus Solutions using the navigation below:
    • Campus Solutions >> Self-Service >> Payroll and Compensation

Are FWS earnings taxable?

Yes. FWS earnings are considered taxable income by both federal and state governments. However, when completing the FAFSA, FWS earnings are not included in calculating your eligibility for federal financial aid.

Why do I have to fill out an I-9?

According to federal law, before beginning an FWS employment assignment, we must verify all new hires’ identities and work eligibility. You must complete an I-9 form and present certain unexpired documents before you start to work. You may only participate in the on-campus FWS Program once you have filed an I-9 form with the Financial Aid Office. If you work off-campus, you will file your I-9 with your employer. You can print a copy of the I-9 form at the link below:
https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-9-paper-version.pdf

Do I have to pay FICA Tax?

Students are required to pay the (FICA) FICA tax of 7.65% on FWS earnings under any of the following conditions:

  • during the Summer, if enrolled for less than six credits
  • during the intersession (winter) period
  • if the student works at an off-campus job site.

If you have any other questions about your Federal Work-Study job, don’t hesitate to contact the Office of Financial Aid at financialaidoffice@law.cuny.edu.

Should I retain copies of my FWS placement and payroll documents?

Yes. You may need that information to document your work history and earnings.

Federal Work-Study Forms