Skip to content
 

UNC Asheville Federal Work Study

Printer-friendly version
 

Student Recording a stream for a film project

What is Federal Work Study?

 

Federal Work Study (FWS) is a federally funded financial aid employment program. To be eligible, you must be an undergraduate, full time (at least 12 hours), degree seeking student. Eligibility is based on need as determine by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the availability of funds at the time of awarding. FWS funds are limited and are awarded to the extent that funding permits.

 

Students are awarded FWS funds, which must be earned through part time employment, as part of their financial aid award and are notified of their allocation through their OnePort account. Students may work up to 10 hours per week and are paid hourly earning $9 per hour.

FWS may not be used to defer college charges. The earnings are designed to assist student with their personal expenses, not Tuition, Fees, Room and/or Board.

An FWS award is not a guarantee of a job. Once you have accepted your FWS award, it is your responsibility to be hired by a department. Job postings are on the Career Center website.

A wide variety of jobs are available through the FWS program. FWS students are involved in almost every area of the institution. An effort is made to place students in positions that will utilize their skills and interests. The college also offers a limited number of off campus positions with local non-profit agencies as part of our Community Service Learning Program. These positions are designed to give the FWS student a broader work experience while improving the quality of life for community residents.

What Happens After I am Awarded Work Study?

After you have been awarded FWS:

  1. Attend the Student Employment Orientation session. There you will receive a listing of the open jobs. Review the departments listed and decide which ones you are interested in applying. The Career Center Job Posting will list the best way to contact the employer (department contact). Remember that an FWS allocation does not guarantee that you will be placed in a department.
  2. Once a department has hired you, fill out the FWS Employment Contract. Bring the signed contract to the Office of Financial Aid and keep a copy for you and your employer’s record.
  3. Before you begin work, you will need to go by Human Resources and complete pertinent hiring documentation (including but not limited to a direct deposit form, W-4 and I-9). HR will be sure that they have all necessary paperwork before you leave. Note that if you have a U.S. Passport, that is all that you will need. Otherwise, you will need to present a photo ID and either a Social Security Card or Birth Certificate.

NOTE: Without the completion of the above items, you will not be put on the payroll and your timesheet will be rejected.

How Do I Get Paid?

To be paid, FWS students must:

  1. Make sure all necessary paperwork (FWS Employment Contract, direct deposit form, W-4, I-9 etc) has been completed and is on file in the appropriate office.
  2. Make sure you and your supervisor have recorded work hours daily.

Federal Work Study Job Postings

You must be awarded Federal Work Study in order to apply for a Work Study position.  More information will come to you on how to search and apply for Work Study positions.
It is your responsibility to locate and secure a Work Study position. 

Federal Work Study Contract

ALL students must complete and submit a Federal Work Study Contract BEFORE you begin working.

PLEASE NOTE: Contracts cannot be completed until you have secured a FWS approved job.