8.03 / Federal Work-Study

Effective: July 01, 1997Last Revised: December 05, 2023

  1. Initiating Authority

    1. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships serves as the initiating authority for this policy.

  2. Purpose

    1. Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a federally subsidized program designed to promote part-time employment of financially eligible students. If FWS is part of a student's financial aid award(s), the student may work on campus or for the public interest with an off-campus public or private non-profit organization.

  3. Policy

    1. Eligibility Requirements

      1. Eligibility for FWS is determined by the Office of Financial Aid. This opportunity is awarded to students who:
        1. demonstrate a financial need,
        2. complete the FAFSA application by the WSU priority deadline (December 1),
        3. indicate an interest in part-time work,
        4. meet all other requirements for Title IV aid; and
        5. are enrolled in at least the minimum number of hours, as set forth below:
          Term Minimum Enrollment: Undergraduate Minimum Enrollment: Graduate
          Spring 6 hours 5 hours
          Summer/Scheduled Breaks 6 hours OR, if not enrolled, must be pre-enrolled in at least six (6) hours for the upcoming term 5 hours OR, if not enrolled, must be pre-enrolled in at least five (5) hours for the upcoming term
          Fall 6 hours 5 hours
      2. Students awarded FWS cannot work during their regularly scheduled classes.
      3. The total amount a student earns cannot exceed his or her FWS allocation. If the student reaches the maximum FWS allocation or the FWS authorization end-date is reached, the student may continue employment provided that the employing department assumes one hundred percent (100%) of the salary costs.
      4. Students are permitted to have multiple FWS jobs on campus at long as the total hours worked does not exceed the maximum hours of work as set forth herein.

    2. Maximum Hours of Work

      1. During the academic year (Spring and Fall Semesters), eligible undergraduate and graduate students may work up to thirty (30) hours per week.
      2. During the summer and scheduled breaks (e.g., winter break), eligible undergraduate and graduate students may work up to forty (40) hours per week.

    3. Recruitment

      1. Departments are encouraged to post all FWS opportunities with Shocker Career Accelerator. Additional recruitment sources may be utilized as deemed appropriate by the employing department.

    4. Wage Rates

      1. All students on FWS must be paid at least federal minimum wage.

    5. Timekeeping

      1. All students on FWS, and their supervisors, are responsible for keeping an accurate record of hours worked during employment.

    6. Paycheck Information

      1. All students on FWS must have their paycheck sent directly to a bank or other financial institution through the use of electronic funds transfer (direct deposit). Individual who do not have an account with a bank or other financial institution will be automatically enrolled in the State of Kansas' paycard program.
      2. Taxes may be withheld from gross earnings where appropriate (see Policy 13.10 (Student Employee Payroll).
      3. Pay periods begin on Sunday and end two weeks later on Saturday. Paychecks will be issued two weeks later on Friday. If the designated payday is a holiday, paychecks will be issued on the closest preceding work day.

    7. Benefits

      1. Students on FWS are not eligible for benefits available to other University employees.

    8. Change of Status and Termination

      1. FWS employment shall be terminated when:
        1. the student is no longer working in the position;
        2. the student has used all of the FWS allocation; and/or
        3. the student is no longer eligible for FWS funding.

  4. Revision Dates

    1. February 7, 2019
    2. May 1, 2001
    3. March 29, 2002
    4. May 6, 2003
    5. December 5, 2023