Students: Career Planning: Federal Work-Study FAQ's

What is FWS?
How do I if know if I have a FWS award?
How does earning a FWS award benefit me?
Will a FWS award decrease my other aid (i.e. Pell grant, scholarship)?
Where can I work to earn my FWS award?
How do I know if an agency is an approved Community Work-Study site?
How do I find a job to earn my FWS award?
What types of positions are offered?
Does the Office of Student Employment place students into jobs?
How do I apply for jobs?
What if an employer requests my resume and I do not have one?
How do I prepare for a job interview?
I have been offered a job, now what?
How many hours should I work to earn my FWS award?
Does "work-study" mean I am allowed to study while on the job?
How much will I be paid per hour?
How and when will I be paid?
What happens to my award when I start earning paychecks?
Can I pay my Bursar bill directly with my FWS earnings?
Is there a time limit for me to earn my FWS award?
Can I only earn a certain amount of my FWS award each semester?
What happens if I earn my entire FWS award before a FWS eligibility period ends?
What if I drop below the number of credit hours required for FWS?
How do I track my FWS earnings?
What if I am continuing in my FWS job from one FWS eligibility period to another?
Can I have more than one job to earn my FWS award?
How do I find out more about FWS?

What is FWS?
FWS is a financial aid award for IUPUI and IUPU Columbus undergraduate and graduate students with financial need. In order to earn your FWS award, you must work for an on-campus department or at an approved off-campus Community Work-Study (CWS) site.

How do I if know if I have a FWS award?
If you are eligible, then a FWS award will be listed on your financial aid account on OneStart . To view your account, log into your account and go to: Services > Self-Service > Go to Student Center > View Financial Aid

How does earning a FWS award benefit me?
FWS money earned during the tax year will not be considered earned income when you file the Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA) for the following academic school year. Because your FWS earnings are not considered earned income, your estimated financial need for the following academic school year may be considered greater. This may allow you to qualify for a larger amount of financial aid.

Additionally, Social Security and Medicare taxes are not deducted from pay.

Will a FWS award decrease my other aid (i.e. Pell grant, scholarship)?
No. FWS awards are allotted to students when there is unmet financial need after all "gift aid" has been given. FWS will not decrease any grant or scholarship money. However, if you receive additional financial aid (i.e. loan, grant or scholarship), this could decrease or eliminate your FWS award.

Where can I work to earn my FWS award?
You may work on-campus and/or off-campus at university approved Community Work-Study (CWS) sites. A few examples of CWS sites are Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Indiana State Museum, Boys and Girls Clubs of Indianapolis.

How do I know if an agency is an approved Community Work-Study site?
The agency must be a non-profit or government agency with a contract on file with the IUPUI Office of Community Work-Study. For more information, please email cwsjobs@iupui.edu

How do I find a job to earn my FWS award?
There are several ways to search for a job to earn your FWS award. You are encouraged to use a variety of methods:

1. Search for positions posted on JagJobs 
2. Search for positions posted on-line through your school.
3. Watch for fliers advertising job openings on bulletin boards in buildings around campus.
4. Check your email for job announcements on general listservs (Ex. JagNews, CWS listserv) and through department/school specific listservs.
5. Listen/watch for announcements of job openings in your classes.
6. Read through the help wanted ads in the school newspaper, The Sagamore.
7. Talk to friends, family, department staff/faculty and let them know you are searching for a job. When departments/organizations have a job opening, they may ask for referrals from current student employees and staff/faculty.
8. If you want to work for a certain employer, contact that department/organization directly and inquire about job openings.

What types of positions are offered?
There are a variety of jobs located on-campus jobs as well as off-campus at approved CWS sites. Many different types of work are available including jobs in areas such as office administration, customer service, health/medical, science, technology, research, web development, education/tutoring, etc.

Does the Office of Career and Employment Services place students into jobs?
No. The Office of Career and Employment Services can be resource to finding job prospects, for resume and interviewing tips and numerous other services as students prepare for their job searches.

How do I apply for jobs?
The employer will usually indicate in their job listing how to apply for the position. If this information is not listed then contact the employer directly to inquire about the position.

What if an employer requests my resume and I do not have one?
You can find a lot of information on-line about how to write a resume . You may also want to consider attending a resume writing workshop or visiting the Career Library located in University College, 3rd floor where there are several books on writing resumes and other career related topics.

How do I prepare for a job interview?
There is a lot of great information on-line about preparing for a job interview. You may also want to consider attending an interviewing workshop or visiting the Career Library located in University College, 3rd floor where there are several books on interviewing techniques and other career related topics.

I have been offered a job, now what?

1. Pick up your FWS Authorization Form at the Office of Career and Employment Services in BS/SPEA 2010 and deliver it to your employer.
2. Complete Criminal Background Check and hiring paperwork.
3. The Office of Career and Employment Services will confirm with your employer the date you may start working.

How many hours should I work to earn my FWS award?
Most students work between 10 - 20 hours/week during the academic school year. No more than a total of 40 hours per week is permitted. When you and your employer are figuring out your work hours, be sure to discuss: (1) your availability, (2) the amount of your FWS award, (3) your pay rate and (4) the employer's needs.

Does "work-study" mean I am allowed to study while on the job?
No, "work-study" is simply the term given by the federal government to this particular financial aid award.

How much will I be paid per hour?
Employers are required to pay at least Federal minimum wage. Most pay competitively with other companies hiring staff for part-time jobs in Indianapolis and the metropolitan area. The average hourly wage is typically between $7.00 - $10.00/hour. Depending on your knowledge concerning the job duties/requirements or your prior work experience you could be paid a higher hourly rate. Your rate of pay is determined by your employer.

How and when will I be paid?
You will receive a bi-weekly paycheck and may spend the money as you wish. You have the option of having your paycheck directly deposited into a checking or savings account.

NOTE: When you begin working it can take 3 - 4 weeks to receive your first paycheck. It depends on your start date and where it falls within the payroll schedule.

What happens to my FWS award when I start earning paychecks?
The gross amount of each paycheck will be deducted from your FWS award. For example, if you have a $4000 FWS award and you earn $200 each pay period, your award will decrease $200 each pay period. So your first paycheck ($200 gross) will decrease your award to $3800, your next paycheck ($200 gross) will decrease your award to $3600 and so on. The maximum amount you may earn is your total FWS award.

Can I pay my Bursar bill directly with my FWS earnings?
No. The Bursar's Office does not have a process in which your paycheck can go directly toward paying your Bursar bill.

Is there a time limit for me to earn my FWS award?
There are two FWS eligibility periods, one for Academic Year and one for Summer. The time period in which you are eligible to earn a FWS award will always be listed on your FWS authorization form. If you do not earn the entire FWS award allotted to you for the Academic Year or Summer, the leftover amount does not carry over.

For example:
If you have an award of $4000 for the Academic Year but only earn a total of $3000, you cannot "carry" the $1000 into the Summer. The OSFAS determines your FWS award amounts for each eligibility period (Academic Year and Summer) based on (1) if you demonstrate financial need on your FAFSA and (2) if you meet academic and credit hour requirements.

Can I only earn a certain amount of my FWS award each semester?
No. You are able to earn any amount of your FWS anytime during the eligibility period (e.g., academic year, summer). Remember, however, that you cannot earn in excess of your FWS award limit unless your employer is willing to pay 100% of your wages after you’ve earned all of your FWS award.

What happens if I earn my entire FWS award before a FWS eligibility period ends?
You or the employer should bring up this question during your interview. If not during the interview, then you should bring it up within the first few weeks of your start date. By answering this question early on in your employment, there will be no confusion as to what to expect should you earn your entire FWS award limit before the FWS eligibility period ends.

When you start working, be sure to track your FWS earnings each pay period. This will ensure that you know how much you have earned of your FWS award at any point during the FWS eligibility period.

What if I drop below the number of credit hours required for FWS?
If a student, undergraduate or graduate, drops below the required number of credit hours during the Academic Year or Summer Session(s) he/she will NOT be able to continue earning the FWS award.

NOTE: For the Academic Year, undergraduates must be enrolled in at least six credit hours each semester and graduate students must be enrolled in at least four credit hours each semester. For the Summer Sessions, students must be enrolled in at least one class through IUPUI.

How do I track my FWS earnings?
Keep track of your FWS earnings by using the FWS Earnings Tracking Sheet.

What if I am continuing in my FWS job from one FWS eligibility period to another?
If you have a FWS award and plan on continuing to work in the same position, you will still need to pick up your FWS authorization form in the Office of Career and Employment Services and deliver the form to your employer. You must pick up this form each FWS eligibility period (Academic Year and Summer).

Can I have more than one job to earn my FWS award?
Yes. However, if you accept more than one FWS position, you must:

1. request a FWS authorization form for each FWS position at the Office of Career and Employment Services;
2. inform your employers that you have accepted an additional position and
3. NOT work over 40 hours each week. Total hours combined cannot exceed 40.