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Federal Work Study Program

Federal Work Study (FWS) is a federally-funded program for students who demonstrate financial need.  FWS provides part-time employment opportunities for part-time and full-time matriculated students.  Work-Study funds are limited and offered to eligible students based on financial need, academic progress, and in order of application filing date.

Students are responsible for securing their own work-study job. Unlike other forms of financial aid, an FWS award is not applied to a student’s bill. Instead, students will receive a biweekly paycheck for hours worked. You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and indicate that you are interested in be considered for Work-Study to be considered for Federal Work-Study.

General Information

    • Federal Work Study is awarded on a first come, first serve basis.
    • FWS funding and employment opportunities are limited; therefore, not all eligible students will be hired or will receive FWS funding.
    • Helps students pay for their educational expenses through a biweekly paycheck, based upon hours worked
    • Available to full-time or part-time students (must be at least 6 credits per semester)
    • Work Study Students earn at least the federal minimum wage.
    • The amount a student can earn under the FWS Program cannot exceed his/her FWS award. When assigning work hours, the Financial Aid office will consider your class schedule and your academic progress.
    • If a student withdraws or is dismissed from the College at any point during the award period, s/he will be removed from the Work-Study payroll, and the Work-Study award will be canceled for the remainder of the academic year.

     

    Your total FWS award depends on:

      • when you apply
      • your level of financial need as defined in the FAFSA application
      • your academic progress
      • the College's funding level (the U.S. Department of Education provides a certain amount of work- study funds; when all funds have been awarded, no additional work-study awards can be made for that year).

    Eligibility

    Student eligibility is determined from data provided by the FAFSA completed by the student. Please have your eligibility status checked by Brenda Perez in the Financial Aid Office before contacting any department about an available position. Delays in being hired will occur for students who are not pre-screened for eligibility. You can contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in the Financial Aid Office at (203) 575-8256 to confirm eligibility.
    Students must meet the following requirements for eligibility:
      • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
      • Have a demonstrable financial need determined by FAFSA.
      • Be matriculated at NVCC, which means being admitted and enrolled in a degree program.
      • Enrolled in at least 6 credit hours each semester.
      • Be in compliance with the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.

    Employment Opportunities

    It is the student’s responsibility to find an on-campus job to utilize their work-study award. Most NVCC departments seeking student employees with work-study eligibility post jobs on College Central Network. For additional information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in the Financial Aid office, or call 203-575-8256.

    Awarding

    Students are awarded work-study funds when a supervisor has confirmed that the student was hired. The funds are listed along with other financial aid awarded the student and may be accepted and signed in the student’s myCommNet account. Unlike grants, students must work to receive their work-study funding. Unearned awards cannot be carried over from one semester to another.

    Payroll and Earnings

    Work-study students are paid according to the college’s bi-weekly payroll schedule.  Students are paid via check or may set up direct deposit; forms are available at the college’s Payroll Office.

    Students can only work until their work-study funds run out for a given semester. Earnings will be monitored by the supervisor. The Financial Aid Office will be responsible for monitoring students’ eligibility for funds. Students can only work up to 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semester and up to 29 hours per week during summer and winter intercessions, if eligible and if funding is available. When the work-study award runs out for a given student, on-campus supervisors may consider using discretionary funds for their department.

    Once a student has been hired, the supervisor must inform the Financial Aid Office through email. If the student is eligible, the student is awarded based upon available funding.  The student must also complete two Work Study packets: one from the Financial Aid Office and the other from Human Resources.  HR will also request that the student provides two forms of identification.  Some Work Study positions also require background checks prior to the student starting employment.

    Student workers must complete a weekly timesheet and have it signed by their direct supervisor. Supervisors and students must keep a copy of each timesheet for their records. The student will then submit the original timesheet to the Financial Aid Office.