What is Federal Work Study (FWS)?
Rowan University participates in the U.S. Department of Education's Federal Work-Study Program (FWS). This program provides funding for work in jobs both on and off campus for undergraduate and graduate students who indicate a desire to participate in the Work-Study program on their FAFSA and demonstrate "financial need". Student worker positions provide skills and experience which will assist students in their career development.
How is FWS awarded?
FWS is based on the FAFSA and in determined by the university’s Office of Financial Aid. If students are eligible, they will receive notification from the university’s Financial Aid Office. Students may also inquire by sending an email with their name and Banner ID # to fws@rowan.edu
How does a student find a FWS job?
On and Off-campus FWS job openings are posted in Rowan’s Profsjobs system site. Employers may register as a new user or by logging in as an existing user to post available positions (www.rowan.edu/profsjobs)
1. Students who wish to apply for a job will follow the directions unique to each FWS position in Profsjobs
2. Employers will select students to interview
3. Employers will confirm student work study eligibility before extending offers of employment by contacting Deniz Dennery at dennery@rowan.edu
4. Prior to the student's start date, the selected student(s) must meet with Deniz Dennery (who serves as the OCA off-campus FWS supervisor) to complete Rowan University Human Resources and Payroll forms. This process may take 2-3 weeks to complete. Students will notify their employer when they are available to start.
How are Off-campus FWS students paid?
Financial Aid designates a FWS award amount that students will earn by working an hourly wage. The average award amount is $1,500, the amount students are awarded is dependent upon their financial need.
Students are paid their FWS earnings through Rowan University’s Payroll department. Time sheets with the student's supervisor signature are required to be submitted to the OCA off-campus FWS supervisor every pay period. Students are also instructed to submit their Banner Web Time Entry every pay period.
How much will students be paid?
Pay rate will be determined based on job duties, skills, and experience. The pay rate is set by Rowan's Office of Career Advancement.
Are earnings taxable?
Yes, the wage earnings will be subject to federal and local taxes. As students keep track of earnings, please look at the gross pay. Gross pay cannot exceed the amount awarded.
How many hours can off campus FWS students work?
Students can work up to 20 hours a week while classes are in session.
What should students tell their FWS supervisor when they know their FWS funds are nearly depleted?
Clear communication between students and their manager is very important. If students know (through Banner Self-Service) that they have earned nearly the entire award amount, students and their employer should gauge how many work hours remain before the student will have to leave.
What if a student earns all his/her FWS award before the award year is over? Can it be increased?
Very few instances to extend additional funding can be made. Rowan's Financial Aid office will make this determination after a request in writing is submitted. Otherwise when a student earns their entire award amount, the position must be tereminated.
What if students don't use all of their funding?
If students do not use all of their funding, it will be returned to the government. It does not get paid out to the student at the end of the year and it cannot be applied toward the next academic year. If a student decides to stop working for any reason, please notify the supervisor and Financial Aid.
How do students know whether they have been awarded Federal Work-Study?
New students will receive an email or notification in their Banner Self Service from Rowan University’s Financial Aid Office indicating any financial aid they have been awarded. If they are eligible for Federal Work-Study, they will be instructed to secure an on or off-campus work-study position.
Continuing students may view their financial aid award through Banner Self-Serve. If students are eligible for Federal Work-Study, it will be listed with a dollar amount. The dollar amount is the maximum a student may earn for the academic year on the Federal Work-Study Program.
Students who do not qualify for Federal Work-Study can work on campus in IWS (Institutional Work Study) positions or as a Graduate Assistant.
Is there a Federal Work Study job for every eligible student?
Unfortunately, no. Students secure FWS positions on a first-come, first-served basis once eligibility has been determined. Federal Work Study funds are awarded to each university by the government, not directly to each student. Once the funds granted to the school for this purpose are earned by students, the government does not award additional funds until the following year. It has been our experience that most students who are interested in working as Federal Work-Study students find on or off-campus positions jobs within the first two months of the academic year. Students may apply for jobs through Rowan’s ProfsJobs site.
Can students have multiple FWS positions at one time?
No. However, students can work one FWS position and one Institutional Work Study (IWS) position at the same time. Students can not exceed 20 hours per week with combined positions.
If students don't use all the award money this year, can they use the Federal Work-Study funds they got this year to work next year? If students have FWS this year, will they have it next year?
Federal Work Study is a form of financial aid and, like other forms of financial aid, it may be used only in the year for which it was awarded. Students must reapply for this each year by filing the FAFSA at www.FAFSA.gov. There is no guarantee that students will receive FWS each year, as it is part of your total financial aid package and will be influenced by other types of aid received (including loans), family income and non-Federal Work Study income during the previous year. All of these items are variable and can impact eligibility.
Can students return to the same FWS job each year?
Yes. As long as the student is eligible for Federal Work Study, Financial Aid approves the award, and the department manager approves the rehire.
What if the student’s class schedule does not coordinate with the work schedule their FWS supervisor gives them?
Students should communicate clearly with their work supervisor and give them notice of when they will be available to work. Also, it is common courtesy to inform the department supervisor of any upcoming changes to the student’s schedule or if the student is ill and cannot be at work that day. The more advanced notice students give their supervisor about the hours they can work, the better work relationship students are creating for themselves.
What happens if a student switches FWS positions during the year?
Once the official termination paperwork has been submitted to HR, the new FWS supervisor should contact Financial Aid directly about the new position hiring.
Please feel free to submit your questions below regarding Rowan's Federal Work Study Program.