Got Work-Study?
If your financial aid award includes work-study, it’s important to understand what it actually is — and what it isn’t.
Work-study falls under the “self-help” category of financial aid. It’s not free money. Instead, it’s an opportunity to earn money through a qualifying on- or off-campus job. You only receive those funds if you find a job and work during the school year.
Federal Work-Study is a federally subsidized employment program administered by your college. Jobs may be on campus, off campus, or even internships. Undergraduate students are paid hourly and must earn at least the federal minimum wage ($7.25) or the applicable state or local minimum wage, if higher. Your award letter lists a maximum dollar amount you’re allowed to earn — and you cannot exceed it.
A few key things to know:
1. Work-study is not a job offer.
You still need to apply, interview, and get hired. There is no job guarantee. That said, colleges often prefer hiring work-study students because the U.S. Department of Education subsidizes up to 75% of wages. If you have work-study, mention it when applying for campus jobs.
2. The timing doesn’t match tuition bills.
Work-study earnings arrive as regular paychecks — maybe $100–$150 per week — while tuition and housing are typically due upfront or on a payment plan. Work-study helps with ongoing expenses, but it doesn’t function like a tuition credit.
3. Earnings are capped.
Once you hit the amount in your award letter, the subsidy ends. If you need more income, ask your employer upfront whether you can continue working after your work-study funds run out.
4. It won’t hurt next year’s FAFSA.
Work-study earnings are excluded from the student income calculation on the FAFSA, which is a meaningful benefit compared to regular student employment.
Finally, work-study is still governed by formulas largely unchanged since 1979. Funding patterns favor institutions that historically received larger allocations, and award amounts often haven’t kept pace with rising minimum wages or college costs. As a result, access and award sizes can vary widely between institutions.
Work-study can be a helpful tool — but only if you understand how it works and plan accordingly.
