Federal Work-Study

What is Federal Work-Study?

The Federal Work-Study (FWS) program provides jobs to students to help them pay for their educational expenses.

Eligibility

To be eligible, you must:

• Have a complete financial aid file
• Have unmet financial need
• Be enrolled in at least six financial aid course-eligible units at Cosumnes River College*
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress

* If you are enrolled at multiple Los Rios colleges, then you must have an approved consortium on file for those units to be counted toward your enrollment status.

You are not guaranteed a FWS job just because you are eligible for FWS. FWS jobs are limited, so make sure you apply for a FWS job as early as possible.

Students with Bachelor's degrees may be eligible for FWS. To be considered for eligibility, these students will be asked to submit an appeal.

How to Apply for a Federal Work-Study Job

Step 1: Ensure Financial Aid File Completion

Submit all required documents to the Financial Aid Office to complete your Financial Aid file.

Step 2: Review Open Jobs

Review the list of open FWS jobs on Handshake. If you are interested in a position, follow the application instructions listed in the job posting.

Step 3: Interview for the Job

Bring the following to your interview:

• Your College Financing Plan (formerly the Financial Aid Shopping Sheet) from eServices to determine your Unmet Financial Need (Net Costs – Family Contribution = Unmet Financial Need) To locate your College Financing Plan:
  1. Log into eServices
  2. Click on the Financial Aid tile
  3. From the left-hand navigation bar, click Awards
  4. Click College Financing Plan
• Your Course Eligibility from eServices to confirm enrollment in six (6) Financial Aid Course Eligible units
• Any other documents requested by the department

Step 4: Complete Employment Paperwork

If you are selected for a FWS job, then the supervisor will submit the necessary request to the Financial Aid Office. Upon receipt of the FWS Request form, the Financial Aid Office will email your FWS Supervisor a FWS Award Notification by email. You will need to complete an employment packet (if you are a new FWS student) or a renewal paperwork (if you are a continuing FWS student).

Once your employment paperwork is complete, your supervisor will contact you with your start date of employment. Some departments require criminal background checks on FWS student employees.

Hours

FWS students work an average of 17 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters. Students may be employed for no more than 26 hours per week during a semester and no more than 40 hours per week between semesters. The number of hours may change depending on the needs of the department. Summer FWS hours are based on funding availability.

You may not work more than the number of hours you were awarded.

Pay

FWS students are paid an hourly rate at minimum wage. On average, FWS students earn up to $7,000 during the school year. Paychecks are distributed on the tenth of each month.

Disclaimer

We reserve the right to reduce your FWS award at the end of the fall or spring semester for hours not worked or due to ineligibility. Your FWS award may also be reduced if your financial need changes. You will be notified of any change via email and it is your responsibility to notify your supervisor of the change.