2. FEDERAL WORK STUDY
WCU FINANCIAL AID

3. WHAT IS FEDERAL WORK STUDY?
Federally-funded, need-based employment program
Federal Work Study allows students to earn a paycheck to help pay for education and education-related expenses
Part-time employment while enrolled at the awarding institution
Community service work and work related to course of study are encouraged
Students are paid bi-weekly

4. FEDERAL WORK STUDY – ADVANTAGES TO STUDENT
Flexible work schedule
Chance to gain work experience and build references for future employment
Opportunity to work in a field related to the student’s major

5. ELIGIBILITY FWS is available to undergraduate students
Full-time and part-time students are eligible to earn FWS
Must have completed FAFSA
Student must have demonstrated financial need according to the FAFSA
Provide required documentation for Employment Authorization

6. CALCULATING FINANCIAL NEED
Cost of Attendance (COA: tuition/fees, room/board, education materials, travel, personal allowance, eligible study abroad programs)
– Expected Family Contribution (EFC: calculated using formulas based on dependency, marital status, dependents, etc.)
= Financial Need

7. THE HIRING PROCESS FAFSA must be complete
FWS must be offered as part of financial aid package
Locate job on JobCat 2.0
Complete the Federal Work Study Hiring Packet
Provide acceptable documentation to WCU Financial Aid and complete I-9
Begin working when notified

8. JOBCAT 2.0 POSTING
Supervisors are required to post all available positions to JobCat 2.0 and include the following Learning Outcome and Work Study Statement:
Learning Outcome: Student employees of WCU have opportunities to enhance their learning in the five global outcomes promoted by WCU for all students: communicate effectively and responsibly, practice civic engagement, integrate and apply information from a variety of contexts, solve complex problems, and clarify and act on their own purpose and values. Student employment is a valuable part of the educational experience for our students and we welcome the opportunity to support and advance your professional and personal development.

9. WORK STUDY TIMELINE
Intent to Re-Employ forms are sent to FWS Supervisors in the spring and should be returned prior to Spring Commencement
Intent to Re-Employ forms are processed during the summer
Jobs begin becoming available on August 1st in JobCat 2.0
Students that have accepted FWS will receive instructions on how to locate a work study job, where to locate the hiring packet, and the hours of operation during which they can visit WCU Financial Aid and complete the hiring process.
Students that were re-employed from the prior academic year can begin working on the first day of classes
New hires can begin working once their supervisor is notified that the hiring process is complete

10. PAY WAGE GUIDELINES
In accordance with Federal Work-Study Program regulations, employers must establish a job description and pay rate for each FWS position 
We aim to ensure pay equity among all FWS and non-FWS students employed by the University
Federal regulations require students be paid at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour
The University’s maximum FWS wage is $10.00 per hour

11. RATE INCREASE The federal minimum wage is $7.25
Students that perform well can be given a raise in their hourly rate
Supervisor completes a Change Form for Federal Work Study Student Employment
Change Form is submitted to WCU Financial Aid
Given on the next payroll period

12. TERMINATION
Students can resign or be terminated from their FWS position
WCU Financial Aid requires a Change Form for Federal Work Study Student Employment to be completed by the student’s supervisor
Termination will occur when student exhausts their FWS award
Student can be switched to non work study if the department has funding

13. CHANGING JOBS
Completed Change Form for Federal Work Study Student Employment to WCU Financial Aid
Student needs to be terminated
Completed current year WCU Federal Work Study Hiring Agreement
This will allow the student to be hired

14. INTENT TO RE-EMPLOY
The process of keeping your work study student as an employee for the next academic year
Prevents us from having to terminate, hire, and complete a new I-9
s go to supervisors on March 1
Signed intent to re-employ forms due by Spring Commencement
Failure to return by deadline requires a new I-9
Student will not be able to begin working until a new I-9 is complete

15. PLEASE REMEMBER FWS pays the student via direct deposit
FWS is not paid directly to tuition/fees
Students should not begin working until their supervisor has been notified that they are approved to begin the job
Students are allowed to work a maximum of 20 hours per week
WCU Financial Aid no longer offers FWS for Summer
Aramark does not count as FWS
Check with WCU Financial Aid to see if student is eligible for FWS

16. CONTACT
WCU Financial Aid
x7290

17. The End
GO CATS!