Federal Work Study

Federal Work Study (FWS) is a federally funded program that provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need. It allows students to earn money to help pay for college expenses while gaining valuable work experience. Work study jobs are typically part-time and can be on or off campus. FWS funds are not guaranteed; you must be awarded FWS, secure a FWS job, and then are paid based on hours worked.

Students may work up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session and receive a monthly paycheck (based on an hourly wage) that they can use for educational and living expenses. Off-campus FWS positions are also available with government and community service agencies who are official FWS partners with PSU.

We encourage all students to use the job search Handshake to find student job postings. The University Career Center also provides unique resources and services to meet job search needs for students

How to Receive Federal Work Study

Students must complete the FAFSA in order to determine eligibility for Federal Work Study. If you are awarded work study, this will be included in your financial aid award package.

FWS is a limited resource and is awarded by lottery. If you meet the following criteria, you will be entered into the FWS lottery. Students awarded FWS will see it included on their financial aid offer.

Using & Maintaining Federal Work Study

Students awarded FWS need to present a Certificate of Eligibility to their employer to verify their eligibility. The certificate can be accessed from the Financial Aid Dashboard in myPSU. Students must also complete new hire paperwork (I-9, W-4, etc) at the PSU Human Resources office within three business days of being hired, if they have not done so previously.

If a student is interested in increasing their Federal Work Study award, they will need to have their supervisor email the Federal Work Study team in the Financial Aid Office. Once the team receives the email they will notify the student's supervisor if the student is eligible for an increase and the Financial Aid Office will update the student's award - this can be viewed in the student dashboard.

Federal Work Study for Summer Term

Continuing PSU students may be eligible to earn FWS during the Summer term. Work Study funding for the new academic year starts on July 1st. A Federal Work Study Electronic Personnel Action Form (EPAF) must be re-filed every year.

To be eligible for Summer FWS you must meet each of these requirements:

• Have worked a FWS job in the last academic year, and
• Been awarded and accepted FWS for the upcoming year, and
• Be registered at least half time for the upcoming fall term.

Information for Employers

If you are interested in utilizing Federal Work Study for Employers for on or off-campus jobs, set-up an appointment with either our Student Employment Coordinator, Matt Knauss or Assistant Director, Chloe Hays to go over the program requirements to see if we would be compatible partners.

Supervisors are responsible for monitoring student employee's Federal Work Study usages.

Before a student can begin working, supervisors must have:

• Completed and submitted an Electronic Personnel Action Form (EPAF)
• Completed and submitted an up-to-date Job Description
• Received the Federal Work Study Supervisor Handbook
• Received the Portland State Federal Work Study Operational Calendar
• Received their Student Employment Authorization (RJASEAR on Banner) access and training
• Completed the Federal Work Study Acknowledgments form

Supervisor Resources

• Federal Work Study Supervisor Handbook
• Portland State Federal Work Study Operational Calendar
• RJASEAR training
• EPAF Training
• Job Description Example
• FWS Supervisor Training Sessions

Contact

If you were not offered the award but you meet the requirements listed above and you have a job lined up, contact Student Employment Coordinator Matt Knauss at mknauss@pdx.edu.

Contact the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships for any additional questions.