PROGRAMS
The FWS Program provides funds for part-time employment to help needy students to finance the costs of postsecondary education. Students can receive FWS funds at approximately 3,400 participating postsecondary institutions. Hourly wages must not be less than the federal minimum wage.
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CFDA Number
Program Type
Also Known As
84.033
Formula Grants
Formerly known as College Work-Study Program
The FWS Program provides funds for part-time employment to help needy students to finance the costs of postsecondary education. Students can receive FWS funds at approximately 3,400 participating postsecondary institutions. Hourly wages must not be less than the federal minimum wage.
A participating institution applies each year for FWS funding by submitting a Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP) to the U.S. Department of Education. Using a statutory formula, the Department allocates funds based on the institution’s previous funding level and the aggregate need of eligible students in attendance in the prior year. In most cases, the school or the employer must pay up to a 50 percent share of a student’s wages under FWS. (In some cases, such as FWS jobs as reading or mathematics tutors, the federal share of the wages can be as high as 100 percent.)
Students may be employed by: the institution itself; a federal, state, or local public agency; a private nonprofit organization; or a private for-profit organization. Institutions must use at least 7 percent of their Work- Study allocation to support students working in community service jobs, including: reading tutors for preschool age or elementary school children; mathematics tutors for students enrolled in elementary school through ninth grade; literacy tutors in a family literacy project performing family literacy activities; or emergency preparedness and response.
Students must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as part of the application process for FWS assistance.
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Who may apply by category?
Individuals, Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs)
Who may apply specifically?
IHEs may apply for an allocation of funds to be awarded to undergraduate, vocational, and graduate students enrolled or accepted for enrollment at participating schools.
The FWS Program provides funds for part-time employment to help needy students to finance the costs of postsecondary education. Students can receive FWS funds at approximately 3,400 participating postsecondary institutions. Hourly wages must not be less than the federal minimum wage.
A participating institution applies each year for FWS funding by submitting a Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP) to the U.S. Department of Education. Using a statutory formula, the Department allocates funds based on the institution’s previous funding level and the aggregate need of eligible students in attendance in the prior year. In most cases, the school or the employer must pay up to a 50 percent share of a student’s wages under FWS. (In some cases, such as FWS jobs as reading or mathematics tutors, the federal share of the wages can be as high as 100 percent.)
Students may be employed by: the institution itself; a federal, state, or local public agency; a private nonprofit organization; or a private for-profit organization. Institutions must use at least 7 percent of their Work- Study allocation to support students working in community service jobs, including: reading tutors for preschool age or elementary school children; mathematics tutors for students enrolled in elementary school through ninth grade; literacy tutors in a family literacy project performing family literacy activities; or emergency preparedness and response.
Students must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as part of the application process for FWS assistance.
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Fiscal 2011
Fiscal 2010
Fiscal 2009
$978,531,016
$980,492,000
$970,058,000
Note: This program received $200,000,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) funds.
2011
Amount of Aid Available: $1,168,428,261
Amount of Aid Available represents the amount of funds awarded to participants in this program. This total may include federal appropriated and institutional matching dollars.
Number of New Awards Anticipated: 711,588
Average New Award: $1,642
2010
Amount of Aid Available: $1,170,845,000
Amount of Aid Available represents the amount of funds awarded to participants in this program. This total may include federal appropriated and institutional matching dollars.
Number of New Awards Anticipated: 768,271
Average New Award: $1,524
2009
Amount of Aid Available: $1,417,322,000
Amount of Aid Available represents the amount of funds awarded to participants in the Federal Student Aid programs. Depending upon the program, this total may include federal appropriated dollars, institutional or state matching dollars, and federal or private loan capital.
Number of New Awards Anticipated(includes Recovery Act): 944,881
Average New Award(includes Recovery Act): $1,500
2008
Amount of Aid Available: $1,172,000,000
Amount of Aid Available represents the amount of funds awarded to participants in the Federal Student Aid programs. Depending upon the program, this total may include federal appropriated dollars, institutional or state matching dollars, and federal or private loan capital.
Number of New Awards Anticipated: 793,000
Average New Award: $1,478
2007
Amount of Aid Available: $1,175,000,000
Amount of Aid Available represents the amount of funds awarded to participants in the Federal Student Aid programs. Depending upon the program, this total may include federal appropriated dollars, institutional or state matching dollars, and federal or private loan capital.
Number of New Awards Anticipated: $880,000
Average New Award: $1,335
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
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Legislation
Regulations
Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, Title IV, Part C; 42 U. S. C. 2751-2756b.
34 CFR 673
34 CFR 675
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Federal Student Aid Information Center
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