This information is for all students who will be attending at least half time during the current or upcoming academic year who do not go through the renewal awarding process.
At a Glance

• The Financial Aid Office assists hundreds of students to find Work-Study employment.
• Work-Study is like any other job; you work and receive a paycheck for your earnings from your employer.
•  A Work-Study job reduces your eligibility for other financial aid. CWU participates in the federal and state Work-Study programs

About Work-Study

Work-Study is a need-based financial aid award. It is not a grant (you must work to earn it), and it is not a loan (you don't have to repay it). Students must qualify for need-based financial aid to receive Work-Study. Funds are limited, so not all qualifying students will receive an award. Work-Study awards are available during the academic year and we do not offer summer Work-Study.

The Work-Study program subsidizes a student's hourly wage, which creates jobs that would not otherwise exist and helps leverage available dollars to provide more hours for needy students. It is basically a "pot" of money set aside to pay a portion of your hourly wage. Jobs must be approved by the Financial Aid office.  For the 2021-2022 academic year, depending on eligibility and financial need: Undergrads can be awarded up to $7,182 per academic year.  Grad students can be awarded up to $8,100.

For the student, it is much like working any other job: you work a number of hours in a pay period, at the same wage rate, and receive a paycheck for your earnings that you use however you wish. For the employer, however, the Work-Study program reimburses a large percentage of your wage, which makes it very attractive to hire Work-Study students! Work-Study students are in great demand by employers, so eligible students can often pick the job of their choice.

Considerations in Student Off-Campus Work & Work-Study
 

Contact Information

For Work Study eligibility questions, please contact a Financial Aid Counselor at FinancialAid@cwu.edu or (509) 963-1611

With any other Work Study related questions please email Workstudy@cwu.edu

               Work Study office hours are as follows:
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between 10:00am - 12:00pm

SNAP/EBT Benefits for Work Study eligible students

If you are eligible for work study or are a current work study student, you can qualify for SNAP/EBT benefits.

FISH is the local Assisting Agency for WA State SNAP/EBT Benefits. Please contact them with any questions:

FISH Community Food Bank
(509) 925-5990 Ext. 809 | 804 Elmview Rd, Ellensburg, WA