As a part of your financial aid award offer, you may be offered work study funds, either from the Federal Work Study program or the Colorado Work Study program. Work study programs are an excellent financial aid option, as they build both work experience and do not require repayment, like loans. However, they do require a bit of legwork on your part.
Work-study is an employment program that provides paid jobs for students who need to work to earn a portion of their education expenses. Work-study funds come from the state and federal government depending on which award you receive.
Types of Work-Study Funds
Federal Work-Study (FWS) and Colorado Work-Study (CWS) funds are different from grants or loans. Students earn Work-Study funds by working at an approved Work-Study job.
The amount of the award is typically a set amount for the academic year, which is then halved for each semester, and is based on each student’s eligibility. Since this money must be earned through employment, it will be disbursed to each student semi-monthly (twice a month), depending upon the number of hours worked and the pay rate.
Requirements of Work-Study
- Like any other job, you will be required to provide the Office of Human Resources with proof that you are eligible to work in the United States.
- You cannot earn Work-Study if you are on financial aid suspension.
- You cannot earn Work-Study if you drop below six credit hours.
Finding a Work Study Job
Work study jobs are jobs available only on-campus and are specifically designated as “work-study” on internal job boards. Work-study jobs are listed in Workday.