Financial Aid

Frequently Asked Questions

Work Study

What is Federal Work Study?

Lewis University receives Federal Work Study (FWS) funds through the federal government's campus-based aid program. This program encourages the employment of undergraduate and graduate students needing income to help pay for their cost of education. To be eligible for a Federal Work Study position, a student must have financial need which is determined in the Office of Financial Aid Services.

A student receives the funds directly in the form of a paycheck. The amount earned is determined by the pay rate and number of hours worked. The maximum hours per week allowed for a student working through FWS is fifteen.

I am interested in Work Study – how would I go about getting that?

The student must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) yearly to determine eligibility. Since Federal Work Study is based on need, this determination must be made by the Office of Financial Aid Services.

Before Federal Work Study is awarded, the student's complete financial aid package is reviewed. Scholarships and grants are first deducted from financial need. The remaining need is then apportioned between Federal Work Study and Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan. It is very possible that a student with financial need may not be eligible for Federal Work Study once other aid is considered.

If I don’t qualify for Federal Work Study can I still get a job on-campus?

Before considering placement of Non-Federal Work Study eligible students, Lewis University is committed to placing Federal Work Study eligible students first. A six-week period is set at the start of each fall semester to complete the placement of Federal Work Study students seeking employment. After this period, all positions are open for non-FWS students.

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