FWSHandbook

Federal Work Study Handbook

Office of Student Employment
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

Section A

1. Federal Work Study: What It Is and How It Works

2. How the Student Applies

3. Eligibility Requirements (General)

4. ECU Specific Policies

5. Community Service and Off Campus Positions

6. Academic Credit for FWS Positions

Federal Work Study: What it is and How it works

The Federal Work Study program dates back to the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. It was originally intended to provide part-time employment for students from low-income families. The program became a student financial aid program when it was incorporated into the Higher Education Act (1965) in 1972. As such, it is a federal "Title IV" aid program.

Federal Work Study (FWS) funds are allocated to East Carolina University on an annual basis, as part of the "campus-based aid program" funding process. ECU is required to match FWS funds so that 75% of a student's earnings are paid with federal funds and 25% of the earnings are paid with "other" funds. Currently, North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority provides some of the "other" funds and ECU provides the rest.

The Office of Student Financial Aid awards FWS funding to eligible students. Unfortunately, FWS funds are limited at ECU, so not all eligible students are offered the opportunity to participate in the program. Students are notified about their FWS awards via their financial aid award notifications online. Each student is asked to indicate his/her acceptance of the FWS award.

Upon receipt of acceptance, the Student Employment Office sends a "FWS-2 Hiring Authorization Form" to the student. Instructions about securing a position accompany the FWS- 2 form. FWS positions are advertised on the Office of Cooperative Education JOBS Database.

After the student is hired, the supervisor completes the FWS-2 form and returns a copy to the Student Employment Office. The supervisor updates payroll records so the student worker can be paid. Checks are issued monthly for the hours recorded as worked by the student.

A-1

How the Student Applies for FWS

On an annual basis, the student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is available in November/December and can be filed after January 1 for the upcoming academic year. The ECU priority filing deadline is February 15th. The Office of Student Financial Aid recommends that students interested in FWS positions apply as soon after January 1 as possible.

Students who are interested in working but who are not initially awarded FWS funding may complete a "Request for Additional Aid" form which is available in the Office of Student Financial Aid. After school has begun, additional FWS awards may be made, if funds are available (due to attrition in the population of students originally offered FWS funding). There is limited FWS funding so not all students who are eligible receive offers.

A - 2

Eligibility Requirements (General)

In order to receive a FWS award, the student must: - demonstrate financial need as defined by the current year's federal student financial aid methodology formula - be enrolled (or accepted for enrollment) as a regular, degree-seeking student - be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen - not be in default on a federal student loan - not owe a repayment on a federal grant - sign a statement of educational purpose, be registered with Selective Service (if required to do so) - have a Social Security number Note: These requirements are established by the United States Department of Education regulations governing the FWS program.

The Office of Student Financial Aid awards FWS opportunities to students who meet the above criteria, and have completed the Fee Application

for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FWS awards are made until funds are exhausted.

A - 3

ECU - Specific Policies

Supervisors and FWS student workers must comply with the following policies established by the ECU Office of Student Employment:

A student enrolled in classes must work fewer than 40 hours per week. The recommended number of hours is 10 to 15 per week. There may be the opportunity for a student to work full time (40 hours per week) during non-enrollment periods, such as the summer. This situation occurs only as funding permits.
A student is not permitted to receive overtime pay.
A student is permitted to work only between the dates listed on the FWS-2 form.
A student must be paid only for hours actually worked.
Although the name of the program is "work study," a student is not permitted to be paid for hours spent studying.
A student may only be paid FWS funds up to the maximum earnings limitation listed on the FWS-2 form. The employing department will be billed for funds paid in excess of the limitation. Employing departments which consistently allow students to exceed the limitation may lose the privilege of employing FWS students.
A student is not to work in more than one department at any one time.

A - 4

Community Service and Off Campus Positions

Definition of community service:

Services which are identified by an institution of higher education through formal or informal consultation with local nonprofit, governmental, and community-based organizations, as designed to improve the quality of life for community residents, particularly low-income individuals, or to solve particular problems related to their needs. These services include:

such fields as health care, child care, literacy training, education (including tutorial services), welfare, social services, transportation, housing and neighborhood improvement, public safety, crime prevention, and control, recreation, rural development and community improvement;
work in service opportunities or youth corps as defined in section 101[*] of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 and service in the agencies, institutions and activities designated in section 124(a)[*] of that Act;
support to students (other than an institution's own students) with disabilities;
activities in which a student serves as a mentor for such purposes as tutoring, supporting educational and recreational activities and counseling, including career counseling.

Off campus agencies must sign an Off Campus Employment Agreement with the Office of Student Financial Aid to participate.

A - 5

Academic Credit for FWS Positions

The fact that a student may receive academic credit for work performed does not automatically disqualify the position from being classified and approved for payment through the FWS program. Both of the following conditions must be met:

The position must be one which normally carries academic credit - i.e. be a generally available internship or practicum which is part of the student's academic program AND
The position must be one which qualifies under the FWS Classification System. The pay rate must fall within the designated pay scale. and
The ECU Office of Student Financial Aid - via the Assistant Director who is responsible for administering the FWS program - must approve payment for the position prior to the first payroll submission.

If students don't usually get paid for the position, FWS funds cannot be used to pay the student.

C-1

Federal Work Study Hourly Pay Scale

(Effective Fall Semester 1997)

Grade Level Hourly Pay	Minimum Hourly Pay	Maximum
1	$5.15	$5.70
2	$5.40	$6.15
3	$5.65	$6.40
4	$5.90	$6.65
5	$6.25	$7.00
6	$6.75	$10.00

C-2

Position Classification Numbers and Titles

Job titles and position classification numbers are grouped according to grade level, with the first digit of the classification number indicating the grade level.

If an employing department has a job that is not reflected in this listing, contact the assistant director of student financial aid who is responsible for the FWS program. If appropriate, a new job title and position classification may be created.

For more information on the Federal Work Study Program and/or a copy of the complete Federal Work Study Handbook (sorry, University faculty/staff only) please contact The Student Employment Office for additional information.

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