What is 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. It is basically a "pot" of money set aside to pay a portion of your hourly wage. Jobs must be approved by Student Employment. For the student, it is much like working any other job: you work a number of hours in a pay period, at some wage rate, and receive a paycheck for your earnings. 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 demand by employers, so eligible students can often pick the job of their choice.

How Does Work-Study Fit in My Financial Aid Package?

Work-Study is not for everyone (though everyone who is enrolled at least half time may work on campus as a regular non-Work Study student employee!). Because it is a need-based financial aid award, it has to fit within your financial aid package. Each person has a unique financial aid file. That means some students must be willing to allow reduction of some loan funds to accommodate a Work-Study award, if they have an aid package that completely fills their financial aid budget. You do not have to request a special loan reduction, your loans will be automatically adjusted when Work Study is awarded, if necessary. Reducing loan to accept Work Study is great if you can afford to wait until you have earned the money through your paychecks, rather than getting it in a lump at the beginning of each quarter from loan funds (and of course, having to pay it back later!). Accepting Work Study in place of loan funds will reduce your student loan debt because you would be trading "loan help" for "work help" instead. Work Study does NOT "pay off" loans, it is awarded INSTEAD of loan, basically you are trading loan for "work help." Work Study NEVER reduces grants or scholarships, only loans!!

Some students are able to accept a Work-Study award without giving up any loans, as they have room within their financial aid need on top of all their other awards to accept Work Study employment. However, if you have a totally full aid package, and you need to work in addition to all loans you are offered, you would usually be better off looking for a Regular Student Employment job, because you can earn wages from a non Work-Study job in addition to all other aid you are receiving. Work-Study is often (but not necessarily) in place of other financial aid.

The formula for determining eligibility for Work Study is this: Total Cost of Attendance (COA) minus Expected Family Contribution (EFC) minus any "gift" aid (grants, scholarships) equals Work Study eligibility. If this eligibility is filled by need-based loan (typically Subsidized Direct Student loan or Perkins loan), then you can either borrow less loan, and work for the money instead, or in many cases, if you still want the loan, we can switch some or all of the Subsidized loan to Unsubsidized Direct Student loan (a non-need based loan that can fill EFC) and award Work Study.

How Do I Apply For Work-Study?

The first step is to apply for financial aid through the standard FAFSA form, and to make sure that you indicate on your FAFSA preferences that you are interested in Work Study. The next step is to make sure to respond promptly to any request for information from the Financial Aid office and to check your Safari account frequently to check the progress of your aid. After you are awarded your initial aid package, IF you indicated on your FAFSA that you want Work Study employment, and IF you are eligible for it, you will receive the Work-Study Personnel Action Form (WSPAF) in the mail, usually within a couple of weeks after your initial aid package is awarded. IMPORTANT: The WSPAF is your "hunting license" for a Work Study job, it is NOT an award. You must find a job, complete the WSPAF with your new supervisor, and submit it to Student Employment to receive an actual award!! It is possible for graduate students to receive a Work-Study award at CWU. If you do not receive a WSPAF in the mail and you have financial aid need, or if you need a duplicate WSPAF for some reason, you may request the WSPAF by visiting the Student Employment office or a Financial Aid counselor, and please make sure to bring picture ID.

How Much Work-Study Can I Get?

Work-Study awards are tailored to the student's job. The amount of award will depend on how many hours you will work, your hourly wage, and your eligibility for Work Study, which is indicated on your WSPAF as your Maximum Potential Gross Earnings (MPGE). Work-Study awards usually range from $1,000 - $5,500 for an academic year, depending on your hourly wage and the number of hours per week you intend to work, as indicated on your completed WSPAF.

Who Gets Priority for Work-Study Funds?

Priority is given to students who are offered jobs relating to their major course of study, and/or high skill level jobs, and to those who request funds before they run out for the year. Work Study is a limited fund, so once the awards are gone for the year, you cannot receive an award even if you are eligible. It is our policy that Washington State residents receive priority for State Work Study (SWS) funds, though non-residents can receive a SWS award. Non-residents will normally be awarded Federal Work Study, depending on funding availablity and other financial aid eligibility factors.

A limited amount of funding is also reserved for lower skill level jobs, to help students with no prior work experience. These jobs are normally in service areas throughout the campus and allow CWU to provide faster, more efficient service to the student body as a whole.

Can I Use Work-Study Off-Campus?

Yes. Work-Study jobs can be on or off-campus where the employer has entered into a formal agreement with either CWU or with the Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB). Off-campus employers must sign an Agreement with CWU, and some restrictions will apply. If you know an off-campus employer you want to work for, and the job is in your major area, or is an area of career interest to you, but they can't afford to hire you, contact Student Employment to inquire about the off-campus Work-Study program. We especially encourage employment with non-profit organizations which provide a community service, though for-profit employers can also participate and hire you IF the job is related to your major, minor, or career interests.

Student Employment has standard Agreements with many local off-campus employers, which are usually set up or renewed over the summer and are ready for fall employment. It is possible to set up off-campus Agreements during mid-year, though it usually does take several weeks to complete the process, particularly during peak times, so plan ahead. We may not be able to accommodate your off-campus request at the last minute. and if it is during fall rush time (early September to mid-October), you can plan on it taking at least until mid-0ctober before the agreement can be processed, and possibly longer if extensive follow-up is needed. Check the Job Board for current listings with approved employers. You do not have to wait until fall quarter to begin the process. If you are at a CWU Center, there is a special list on our Job Board to find only those openings that are not in the main Ellensburg area.

Community Service Jobs

CWU encourages all students to perform jobs which provide a community service. Students who are eligible for Work-Study may also seek jobs that perform a community service. These positions are paid just as any other Work-Study job would be, but in addition, provide a community service. If you know of a non-profit off-campus employer who would like to hire you for a community service job, please contact Student Employment to obtain an Off Campus Prospective Work Study Employer packet. It will contain information and details, as well as participation contracts. If the employer is already contracted with the HECB, all you will need is a current Job Description (in CWU Job Description format) and your completed WSPAF form. Not all organizations are eligible, but most are.