WHAT IS FEDERAL WORK-STUDY (FWS)?
Federal Work Study (FWS) is a federally funded program. Apply for FWS through the FAFSA (Question 26).
To participate in the program, you must be awarded Federal Work Study as part of your financial aid award package. This is a need-based program that allows eligible students to earn part of their educational expenses by working part-time. Jobs may be available on campus and at approved off-campus locations. Income earned through FWS does not have to be repaid.
The exact earning potential per semester depends on the amount of hours you work in a pay period. You should not work more than the total amount of FWS on your financial aid award package.
ELIGIBILITY
FAFSA Question 26 records your interest in the FWS program. You must have financial need, as determined by Federal guidelines, and you must meet all requirements for Federal aid in order to be eligible. Keep in mind that there are a limited number of funds, so apply early and be sure to answer FAFSA Question 26!
HOW TO APPLY
- Complete the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
- After receiving your award package, log on to Banner Self-Service to accept your FWS award.
- Review job listings at www.chattanoogastate.edu/student_aid/student_employment/sajob.asp.
- Select a job vacancy of your interest.
- Contact the contact/supervisor of the job vacancy to set up an interview.
- If you are hired by the department, your contact/supervisor will assist you in completing required documents, such as a Contract, I-9, and W-4.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide proof of eligibility by showing your FWS award on Banner Self-Service to your future supervisor.
- After you accept a position, report to work regularly and on time.
- Notify your supervisor directly if you will not be able to report to work. If you do not satisfactorily fulfill the work requirements of your position, you may be dismissed from the FWS program.
- Do not work more than 20 hours per week!
- Act in an appropriate manner, as directed by your supervisor. Foul language and revealing modes of dress are inappropriate.
DEPARTMENT/OFFICE RESPONSIBILITIES
- A supervisor verifies a student’s FWS award by reviewing the student’s Banner Self-Service account.
- The supervisor is responsible for ensuring all required initial paperwork (such as a contract, I-9, W-4, copy of Social Security card and Driver’s License) is turned in to the Financial Aid Office BEFORE a student begins working.
- Electronic timesheets are due to the Financial Aid Office by NOON ON THE 10TH OF EACH MONTH. A paycheck will not be issued if paperwork is incomplete.
- Along with the student, a supervisor creates a satisfactory work schedule.
- The supervisor clearly explains the duties and responsibilities of the work-study student.
- The supervisor monitors the hours worked to ensure the student does not exceed 20 hours per week, and that the student takes breaks if working 6+ hours in one day.
- Verify the accuracy of student workers’ timesheets before sending them via email to the Financial Aid Office.
- The second, or summary, page of the timesheets is signed by both the
supervisor and the work-study student, and sent via inter-office mail by
noon on the 10th of each month to the Financial Aid Office.
TIMESHEETS ARE OFFICIAL RECORDS SUBJECT TO AUDIT BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE SUPERVISORS ARE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE ACCURACY OF THESE RECORDS.
Pay Procedures
- Pay periods end on the 10th of each month, with timesheets due from supervisors by noon on the 10th of each month.
- Paychecks are issued on the last day of each month. If timesheets are late, paychecks will be issued the following month.
- The Business Office sends the student's check via mail to the address indicated by the student to the Admissions & Records Office.
- Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) will be taken out of the student’s paycheck for that particular month if the student is less than half-time (6 credit hours).
TIME SHEET
Pay periods end on the 10th of each month; therefore, timecards are due NO LATER THAN NOON ON THE 10th. If the 10th falls on a weekend, timecards are due the FRIDAY prior to the 10th by 12:00, NOON.Timecards must be sent via email to the Financial Aid Office by supervisors only. Late timecards will be paid the following month. The summary, or second page, of the electronic time card should be printed, signed by both student worker and supervisor, and sent via inter-office mail by noon on the 10th of each month to the Financial Aid Office. If students work over 6 hours in one day, they MUST show a 30 minute break. 30 minutes will automatically be deducted for any time worked over 6 hours and not shown.
| DAY | IN TIME | OUT TIME | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6/30/06 | 9:00 AM | 11:30 AM | 2.5 |
| 6/30/06 | 12:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 4.0 |
Record time worked in quarter periods for time less than one hour. No other incremental time is authorized for periods that are less than one hour.
EXAMPLE:
15 minutes = .25
30 minutes = .50
45 minutes = .75
Financial Aid | Student Employment
EMPLOYMENT FORMS
The contact/supervisor will assist you with these forms, and will turn them into the Financial Aid Office on your behalf. Please click on the form and type the appropriate information.Contract/Renewal Contract
Complete the entire form, including the supervisor's signature. This must be returned to the Financial Aid Office BEFORE a student begins working.Work Study Assistant Confidentiality Form
Complete the form, including the supervisor's signature. The forms must be turned into the Financial Aid Office.IRS Form W-4 and INS Form I-9
Students must complete an IRS Form W-4 and an INS Form I-9 BEFORE a student begins working. The I-9 form requires two forms of identification (most often, a driver’s license and social security card).INSTITUTIONAL WORK PROGRAMS
Students in this program are hired by the department and paid through the department budget. If interested, check the specific department, job vacancies for institutional positions are not listed on this Web site. The student must complete the required employment forms if they are selected for a position.