Federal Work-Study
Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a federally subsidized work program that encourages the part-time employment of undergraduates who need income to help pay for their education. Federal Work-Study is not the same as Bates Work-Study. While FWS earnings are taxable, they are not factored in as income on a student’s financial aid application.
To determine whether you received Federal Work-Study or Bates Work-Study, access your Student Employment Card in Garnet Gateway. If there is a “WS” in the bottom-right corner, you have Federal Work-Study. If there is nothing, you have Bates Work Study or do not receive any work-study. Please note: this will only be available if you are Bates Work Authorized.
Student employment at Bates is open to all students, regardless of whether or not they receive financial aid. Bates participates in the Federal Work-Study Program, a need-based program that funds student earnings for on-campus jobs. Bates also funds student employment for students who don’t qualify for Federal Work-Study.
The Harward Center is the on-campus liaison for FWS students, community programs, and non-profit organizations, and allows students with FWS to receive subsidized pay for off-campus non-profit/community-engaged work. All FWS students who would like to participate in community service activities must go through the Harward Center. To contact the Harward Center about opportunities, email mawil@bates.edu or call 207-786-6202. You can find the Harward Center at 161 Wood Street, Lewiston, Maine. Drop-ins are welcome!
If you have questions specific to your work-study package, contact Student Financial Services.
To learn more general information about Federal Work-Study, we suggest browsing through the informational and user-friendly Department of Education website.
FAQS
How Many Hours Can I Work?
How many hours you work each week will depend on the type of job you get and your employer’s expectations. Many student employment positions will allow you to work around your class schedule. Students working on-campus cannot work more than 20 hours per week while classes are in session. During week-long breaks and summer students who stay on campus may work up to 40 hours per week.
What is the Rate of Pay?
On-campus jobs vary in qualifications and responsibilities, so the pay will depend on the job that you are hired to do. In compliance with the State of Maine minimum wage, all student wages are set at a minimum of $14.15 per hour. There are very few on-campus positions where students receive pay over the minimum wage.
Am I Guaranteed a Job if I Receive Work-Study?
Many students at Bates receive either Bates or Federal work-study in their financial aid package. Work-study is not a program, nor does it guarantee you a job. To apply for jobs, please visit Handshake. You can find all on-campus jobs, many off-campus jobs, and internships on Handshake.
Are Work-Study Earnings Applied to my Tuition?
Unlike other types of financial aid, work-study earnings are not applied directly to your tuition and fees. Students awarded work-study receive the funds via direct deposit as they earn them based on hours worked, just like a normal job. These earnings are meant to help with students’ day-to-day expenses and are not meant to cover high costs like tuition and housing.
Can Work-Study Status Change?
Several factors can determine whether or not you receive work-study from semester to semester. These include your family income or financial need, whether you used the work-study funds offered to you in a prior year, or how much work-study funding your school received that year. Typically, students who file the FAFSA early (in January/February before the academic year) and answer the FAFSA that they are interested in Federal Work-Study will have a higher chance of being awarded funds from the program.
How do Work-Study Earnings Impact my FAFSA Calculations?
One of the benefits of earning income through a federal work-study position is that those earnings do not count against you when you complete the following year’s FAFSA. Be sure to accurately answer the question regarding how much was earned through work-study on your FAFSA. You can contact the payroll office for help if you do not know the answer. This does not apply to Bates work-study students.