These are answers to Frequently Asked Questions by students regarding the Federal Work Study.
What is FWS?
Federal Work-Study is a program that partially funds jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need. Awards are based on need as determined by the FAFSA and the university’s Office of Financial Aid to help pay for college expenses.
How is Federal Work-Study awarded?
The first step in getting Federal Work-Study is to complete the FAFSA by going to www.FAFSA.gov. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will establish eligibility for Federal Work-Study as well as other types of federal financial aid. Be sure to indicate interest in Work-Study where the question is asked. Once the form is processed, you must return required supporting documents to the Financial Aid Office. When everything is received, a Financial Aid counselor will review your file to determine your eligibility. Financial Aid will then send you an email regarding next steps. You will also see that you have a FWS award in your Banner Self-Service/General Financial Aid.
How do I know whether I have been awarded Federal Work-Study?
New students: You will receive an email from Rowan University’s Financial Aid Office indicating any financial aid you have been awarded. If you are eligible for Federal Work-Study, you will be instructed to secure an on or off-campus work-study position, then go to the Financial Aid office to pick up your Award Slip. You will need your award referral slip when you fill out hiring documents with your department supervisor. The dollar amount on your award slip is the maximum a student may earn for the academic year on the Federal Work-Study Program. Summer Federal Work Study is awarded separately if sufficient funds remain from the original award and if the student was registered for classes in the previous spring and registered for classes in the upcoming fall. Students who do not qualify for Federal Work-Study can work on campus as an IWS worker (Institutional Work Study) or as a Graduate Assistant.
Continuing students: You will receive an email when the Financial Aid Office reviews your completed packet. View your financial aid award through Banner Self-Service/General Financial Aid. If you 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. Summer Federal Work Study is awarded separately if sufficient funds remain from the original award and if the student was registered for classes in the previous spring and registered for classes in the upcoming fall. Students who do not qualify for Federal Work-Study can work on campus as an IWS worker (Institutional Work Study) 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 school 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. When awards are distributed, the school does not know how many students will actually choose to work or how many hours they will work, so more students receive awards than can work, to ensure that the funds are used. However, 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 (www.rowan.edu/profsjobs)
If I was originally awarded FWS and declined it but now I want to accept it, what should I do?
If you declined your FWS but now want to accept it, you must contact the university’s Financial Aid Office. Keep in mind you must still show financial need for the FWS, other aid you may have received including loans not part or your original FWS package may impact your eligibility.
Can FWS be deducted from the tuition bill?
FWS is earned as you work. It is paid to you in the form of a Rowan University paycheck, not deducted from your bill. You may also sign up for direct deposit, so payments go directly into your bank account.
Are there jobs on campus or off-campus?
Jobs are available on campus and off- campus, but most are on campus.
How does a student find a FWS job?
On campus and off-campus FWS job openings are posted in Rowan’s ProfsJobs site. Students may register to the site by going to www.rowan.edu/profsjobs or by logging in as an existing user.
How are FWS students paid?
Students are paid their FWS earnings through Rowan University’s Payroll department. Students are instructed by their supervisor to submit their Web Time Entry every pay period.
How much will students be paid an hour?
NJ State minimum wage is $8.44 / hour and there is a rate range depending on the type of work you do and the skill level required. If you are returning to the same position, you may receive a pay increase.
Is FWS taxable income?
If a student earns enough income to file a tax return, it must be included as taxable income for federal and state purposes.
Do students have to report FWS earnings on the FAFSA?
Students must report FWS earnings on the FAFSA.
Do FWS earnings count against the student to get aid for next year?
FWS earnings do not count against the student for the following year's federal financial aid. Even though students report FWS as part of their total income on the FAFSA, there is another place on the FAFSA where FWS earnings are reported separately and the FAFSA formula does not count that against the student.
How many credit hours do I have to be enrolled in to earn my Federal Work Study award?
Students must be enrolled, at minimum, as a part time Rowan University student and taking 6 credit hours in order to earn their Federal Work Study award.
Do I have to work?
You do not have to work, but working is the only way to earn the FWS money granted to off-set your educational expenses.
Must I accept the job offered to me?
You will have an opportunity to consider the jobs available by logging into rowan.edu/profsjobs for available FWS positions both on and off-campus. After interviewing with a department supervisor, you may decide whether or not to accept the job. If you decide not to accept a job, you may consider other jobs which are available, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Am I paid to study?
Federal Work-Study jobs are real jobs with real responsibilities. You are paid to work. A few jobs may include time when you may read, but most do not.
If I don't use all the award money this year, can I use the Federal Work-Study funds I got this year to work next year? If I have FWS this year, will I have it next year?
Federal Work-Study is a form of financial aid and, like other forms of financial aid, may be used only in the year for which it was awarded. You must reapply for this, as well as all other types of aid, each year by filing the FAFSA by February 15th at www.FAFSA.gov. There is no guarantee that you will receive FWS each year, as it is part of your total financial aid package and will be influenced by other types of aid you receive (including loans), family income and your non-Federal Work-Study income during the previous year. All of these items are variable and can impact your eligibility.
Can I return to the same FWS job each year?
If you are eligible for Federal Work-Study and want to return to the same department, you may return, assuming that the department wants you back. You must apply for financial aid each year and you must complete the paperwork packet from the Financial Aid Office at the beginning of each academic year. You will also need to fill out re-hire paperwork with your department supervisor to continue as a FWS employee to continue in the new academic year.
What if my class schedule does not coordinate with the work schedule my FWS supervisor gives me?
You should communicate clearly with your department supervisor and give them notice of when you will be available to work. Also, it is common courtesy to inform your department supervisor of any upcoming changes to your schedule or if you are ill and cannot be at work that day. The more advanced notice you give your supervisor about the hours you can work, the better work relationship you are creating for yourself.
What should I tell my FWS supervisor when I know my FWS funds are nearly depleted?
Clear communication between you and your supervisor is very important. If you know (through Banner Self-Service) that you have earned nearly the entire award amount, then you and your employer should gage how much time is left in the workplace before you will have to leave. Once your FWS award amount is used, you must terminate your employment. If your supervisor offers to pay you using the department’s budgeted funds, then your supervisor will change your status to an IWS (Institutional Work Study) employee.
If a student earns all his/her FWS award before the award year is over, can it be increased?
Once the student’s FWS award amount is used, the student must terminate their employment. It may be possible to increase the FWS allotment if funds are available as determined by the university’s Financial Aid office and if the student still has remaining eligibility. Contact your OCA supervisor or the Financial Aid Office to find out if your award can be increased.
Please feel free to submit your questions below regarding Rowan's Federal Work Study Program.