Federal Work Study (FWS) is a program designed to provide college students who are in need of financial assistance a chance to earn money while pursuing their degree. FWS provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students on and off-campus. Workday can help you find a job that fits your schedule and is just minutes from your classes.
What are the benefits to the Federal Work Study program?
- Allows you to earn money to help pay for your educational expenses.
- It provides opportunities to serve the community and to work in areas that are related to your course of study.
- Your FWS employer acknowledges you are a student first. FWS employers are flexible and willing to work around your class schedule.
- It provides beneficial experience and training, networking and references that build up your resume.
- It can provide opportunities to develop your professional skills, like communication, time management and interpersonal skills.
- It can lead to career opportunities.
- Even though FWS earnings are taxable. FWS earnings are not considered when figuring your “financial need” on your FAFSA.
Eligibility Requirements
Federal Work Study eligibility is determined by the information inputted on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You must have financial need in order to receive FWS. If you wish to be considered for this program, you should indicate this preference on the FAFSA.
To be eligible to work under the Federal Work Study Program, you must:
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Meet UCF’s Standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress (Met, Academic Plan, Warning & Probation are acceptable).
- Be degree seeking at UCF.
- Be enrolled and have confirmed attendance at least half-time at UCF.
- Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, eligible non-citizen, or citizen of the Freely Associated States: The Federated States of Micronesia and the republics of Palau and the Marshall Islands.
- Have a valid form of identification per UCF HR policy.
- Have a completed to-do-list/review status.
- Complete verification if selected.
- Complete any outstanding Admission contingencies.
- Accept the FWS offer.
- Complete the FWS contract.
How to Apply for Federal Work Study
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File a Free Application for Federal Student Assistance (FAFSA) to apply for the Federal Work Study (FWS) Program.
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Once FWS is awarded, you can check your myUCF account to see the amount of your FWS award. You must either accept or decline the award in your myUCF account.
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Complete any items on your myUCF To Do List including the FWS Contract. To access the FWS Contract:
- Log in to myUCF.
- Go to your Student Center.
- From the To Do List, select the FWS Contract.
- Click on Checklist Detail.
- Access the FWS Contract using the link provided on the checklist detail.
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Apply for the positions you find directly on Workday. Be sure to apply for FWS positions. You can find FWS jobs by searching “work study” in the filters in the left-hand section of the “Jobs” page. If you are interested in working at a community service site off-campus, please contact the FWS Coordinator at workstudy@ucf.edu.
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The department will review applications and might contact you for an interview. When attending interviews, bring these documents:
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- Award Summary & Class Schedule from myUCF
- A valid form of identification per UCF HR
- Valid Driver’s License or Acceptable Form of Identification
If you are selected, a job offer letter will be emailed by the hiring department.
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You must electronically sign the letter to accept the job offer.
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Review the FWS Student Rights and Responsibilities.
UCF School Code:
003954
UCF’s Priority Date for FAFSA:
December 1
Important Dates
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Spring 2024 Employment
- December 8
- Spring Employment Begins
Students must have an accepted FWS award and meet all program requirements in order to be hired and start working.
- April 25
- Spring Employment Ends
Students must have a Summer 2024 award to continue to work after April 25.
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Summer 2024 Employment
- May 1
- Summer Employment Begins
Students must have an accepted FWS award and meet all program requirements in order to be hired and start working.
- August 1
- Summer Employment Ends
Students must have a Fall 2024 award to continue to work after August 1.
Using Workday for Student Employment
We transition to Workday on July 1, 2022 this is the new online Human Resources (HR)/Payroll System that UCF will use for all HR and Payroll processes. We have included the link below for the UCF Federal Work-Study Student Employee Manual, which will provide you knowledge and guidance of Workday and the Federal Work-Study program. The purpose of this manual is to introduce you to the Workday system and assist you in learning how to navigate and complete the student Federal Work-Study processes on it.
Workday enables you to manage your personal work information all in one place, from applying for the available Federal Work-Study positions to reporting your time. Please take the time to reference the UCF Federal Work-Study Student Employee Manual as one of the first goals is to get you acclimated in logging into Workday and learning how to “check-in” and “check-out” from work.
We hope that you are as excited as we are in this new change. Remember, we are here to assist you with any questions.
Federal Work Study Student Employee Manual
This manual serves as your guide to how the Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) functions at UCF and will help you navigate through the new FWS
process on Workday. We suggest you read this FWS Student Employee Manual carefully and use it as reference to assist you through the FWS process.
Salary Information
Will my FWS award count as a deferment?
NO. The FWS allotment represents money that can be earned. It cannot be considered as a deferment for tuition and housing purposes.
What happens if my earnings reach my maximum award?
It is yours and your supervisor’s responsibility to monitor your FWS usage and ensuring that you do not earn more than your FWS award total. If you reach the maximum award your employer has the option of either switching you to their departmental OPS account or ending your employment altogether.
How will I be paid?
Individual departments hire FWS students, using the salary chart below as a guide. Once the employer receives a copy of the student’s Class Schedule, a work schedule can be determined by the student and the employer. Logging your Time on Workday is done daily. Students receive a paycheck for hours worked every two weeks.
Below are the updated Federal Work Study Salary Rates beginning 10/01/23.
| Job Type | Starting Salary | Max |
|---|---|---|
| Clerical Duties | $12.00 | $14.00 |
| Customer Service | $12.00 | $14 .00 |
| Lab/Staff Assistant | $12.00 | $14.00 |
| Manual Labor | $12.00 | $14.00 |
| Tutoring | $12.00 | $14.00 |
| Computer Support | $12.00 | $14.00 |
| Research Assistant | $13.00 | $15.00 |
| Technical Support | $12.00 | $14.00 |
| Community Service – ON CAMPUS | $13.00 | $15.00 |
| Community Service – OFF CAMPUS | $13.00 | $15.00 |
| Graduate Student Assistants | $13.00 | $15.00 |
Student Financial Aid determines the salaries based on the job descriptions that departments submit.
- Students may view their earnings statement and payroll information on Workday.
- When transferring from one FWS job to the next, your employer has the right to set your pay rate at the previous rate or at the starting salary for the new position (whether it is at a higher or lower rate of pay). Community Service salaries do not transfer to regular FWS jobs.
Community Service Programs
Students who have been awarded Federal Work Study (FWS) may apply for eligible positions that are aimed at improving the quality of life for community residents. The FWS program is not only an opportunity to improve the surrounding community, but also a great way to build professional experience, network outside UCF and blend academic and personal interests to develop a holistic viewpoint. The University of Central Florida has both on and off-campus FWS Community Service opportunities available.
On-campus FWS Community Service Program opportunities are located in the following offices:
- Center for Autism & Related Disabilities
- Communication and Disorders Clinic
- Creative School for Children
- Student Disability Services
Off-campus FWS Community Service Program opportunities include:
- Local elementary schools
- Audubon Center for Birds of Prey
- Jump Start Program
FWS students who are interested in participating in one of the Off-Campus FWS Community Service site locations will need to complete the online Rules and Regulations Agreement and Community Service Employment Agreement forms. After accepting the FWS Award offer, access to the forms will be provided in an email.
Logging your Time on Workday
- When you arrive at work, you need to Check In on Workday.
- When you leave work, you need to Check Out on Workday.
- You must select the reason for Check Out.
For step-by-step instructions please refer to pages 16 – 17 from the UCF Federal Work-Study Student Employee Manual
Resources for Federal Work-Study Students Important Links
File the FAFSA: www.ucf.edu/financial-aid/apply/fafsa/
Important Dates: www.ucf.edu/financial-aid/types/federal-work-study/#important-dates
Satisfactory Academic Progress: www.ucf.edu/financial-aid/policies/satisfactory-academic-progress/
Late Drops and Withdrawals: www.ucf.edu/financial-aid/policies/late-drops-withdrawals/
Academic Calendar: calendar.ucf.edu/
Link to Workday: workday.ucf.edu
Federal Work-Study Policies: www.ucf.edu/financial-aid/policies/fws-student-rights-responsibilities/