Federal Work Study Limits?

Question

When you sign up to work Work-Study, you are given a certain amount of money. Will you be able to work past that amount or will you have to stop working once you hit your "limit" for the semester?

Answer 1

You're not supposed to work past your limit, and it's your responsibilty to make sure you don't. That's why I denied mine. It's like barely minimum wage, and I got what was considered a 'big' award. But I digress.

Here's what the government says:

Federal Work-Study (FWS) provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to the recipient's course of study.

Will I be paid the same as I would in any other job?

You'll be paid by the hour if you're an undergraduate. No FWS student may be paid by commission or fee. Your school must pay you directly (unless you direct otherwise) and at least monthly. Wages for the program must equal at least the current federal minimum wage but might be higher, depending on the type of work you do and the skills required. The amount you earn can't exceed your total FWS award. When assigning work hours, your employer or financial aid administrator will consider your award amount, your class schedule, and your academic progress.

What kinds of jobs are there in Federal Work-Study?

If you work on campus, you'll usually work for your school. If you work off campus, your employer will usually be a private nonprofit organization or a public agency, and the work performed must be in the public interest.

Your school might have agreements with private for-profit employers for Federal Work-Study jobs. This type of job must be relevant to your course of study (to the maximum extent possible). If you attend a career school, there might be further restrictions on the jobs you can be assigned.

Answer 2

Once you hit your limit, you should not be able to work anymore.  If the department you are working for has money set aside to pay you themselves, they might make an exception.

Answer 3

You must stop working once you hit your limit for that semester.  Usually, if you calculate it up, its about 15 hours a week or so.  I would strongly encourage you to do work study if you are eligible because any money you earn doesn't count against you when you apply for finanical aid the next year.