Federal Work-Study Program

Federal Work-Study is a need-based financial aid program that allows you to work part-time to help pay for college. A Federal Work-Study job is different from other jobs for the following two reasons: (1) the hours are flexible to ensure that you have enough time to study, and (2) when you apply for financial aid the following year, the money you earned through this program isn’t used to determine your financial need.

Qualifications

Must have a current year FAFSA on file.
All Financial Aid requirements must be complete upon submission of an application.
Must have a financial need.
Must be enrolled in a minimum of six (6) hours
Students with defaulted loans will not qualify for Federal Work-Study.
Must meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements.

Important Facts

FWS is awarded on first come first serve basis.
Funding is limited, so priority consideration will be given to those students who complete all required paperwork/applications in a timely manner. Every student who applies for Federal Work-Study will not be awarded FWS.
Completing an application does not guarantee a job placement.

Responsibilities of Student

Report to work promptly.
Notify your supervisor as soon as possible if you will be late or unable to work.
Do not conduct personal business on the job.
Dress appropriately for your work location.
Report accurate hours to your supervisor and sign timesheets on time. Timesheets are to be submitted to the Human Resources office by your supervisor.
Students are NOT ALLOWED to work during scheduled class times.
Review the Student Worker Guide

How to Apply

Complete the current year FAFSA
Complete the Student Worker Job Application online and email your completed form to Kathy Busch (kbusch@bpcc.edu) or you may complete an application with the Career Services Office, Building F, Room 246, and Room 101 on the Natchitoches Campus.

What Happens Next

Supervisors who are seeking FWS workers will access the job applications from Career Services. However, if you have an interest to work in a particular area/department you may go to that department to inquire about available FWS positions within that department. Available positions are listed on the Career Services webpage.
Once you are selected for a position, the Financial Aid Office will list the amount you can earn on your financial aid awards section on LoLA. You will also receive an Award Notification email stating your awards on LOLA have changed.
Once you begin working, you’ll receive a bi-weekly paycheck for the hours you work. If you don’t work enough hours, you may not earn all of the funds you have been awarded via LoLA. The money you earn through the Federal Work-Study program is paid directly to you. It is up to you to use this money wisely.

How Will I be Paid?

FWS students are paid $8.00 per hour and may be able to work up to 20 hours per week. However, there are several Community Service positions that pay $12.00 per hour. If you are interested in helping (tutoring) elementary school children with reading and/or math homework you should inform the Career Services Office when you complete the FWS job application.

Types of FWS Employment

Students that choose to participate in the FWS Program may select one of several employment areas in which to earn their award amount. These areas include employment on campus or employment at an approved community agency. Students may select Career Services from the list of campus job openings available in the Career Services Office or that are posted on the Career Services page.

On Campus: Students interested in working on campus may select a Career Services with one of our participating departments. Available job opportunities include office and clerical support, student services, campus security, and tutoring. On campus employment serves as a great opportunity to get involved with the campus community while gaining work experience at a close and convenient location. Students who participate in the FWS program and work in a position on campus are allowed to work 20 hours per week and are paid $8.00 per hour.

Community Service: Students interested in this option may select a Career Services off campus in an approved local non-profit community service organization. Students who participate in the FWS program and work in a community service position off campus are allowed to work 20 hours per week and are paid $12.00 per hour. Students employed in these areas perform direct services to our communities and citizens in need.

Participating agencies include, but are not limited to:

Salvation army boys and girls club
Volunteers of america/bossier lighthouse
Plant-a-seed youth development
Common ground community, inc.
Reach out and touch

By choosing to work with these agencies, students have the unique opportunity to make a positive difference in their own community while enjoying a rewarding and challenging work experience. All positions offer a flexible work schedule to accommodate students’ course schedules. Some jobs are available on Saturdays. Students who are interested in a community service job should coordinate their employment with the Career Service office and the Financial Aid office, both in Building F.

Why Should I Consider a FWS Job?

In addition to the financial benefits, there are other reasons to consider a Federal Work-Study job. Working on campus allows you to meet other students, network with teachers and administrators, and may even give you the opportunity to gain career experience.
Money earned from a Federal Work-Study job will not be counted as income when you complete the next year’s FAFSA. Explore your options and find the job that works best for you. However, if you decide that you don’t want to work while you’re in college, let the financial aid office know that you no longer want to participate in the Federal Work-Study program.

Additional information regarding Federal Work-Study is available online via the Federal Work-Study section of studentaid.gov