Award Information
Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a form of need-based federal financial aid. FWS provides opportunities for students to work on campus while attending school half-time or greater. After the award has been made the student has a limited time period in which to find a job, and once employed must work on a consistent basis. Students may not be required to apply for, or accept, work-study in order to receive other forms of student aid such as an assistantship, tuition waiver, scholarship, or grant.
Although FWS is the largest and most common work-study program, the student’s award may be made from a different program and thus have a different name. However, the term FWS and the related FWS policies apply to all work-study programs administered through the University Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid.
Student Eligibility
- Eligible for federal financial aid
- Complete application for need-based financial aid
- Demonstrate financial need
- Enrolled 1/2x or greater
- Eligible to legally work in the United States
- Not a University of Utah benefits eligible employee (except for health insurance provided under the Affordable Care Act)
Award Amount
The award amount represents the maximum gross wage the student may earn in the FWS program, during the award period. The award amount includes both a federal/state contribution and a departmental contribution.
Wages considered to be ineligible for FWS funding are not counted against the award.
Award Period
Awards are given for an award period that falls within the award year of July 1st through June 30th. Students must re-apply each award year, awards are not automatically renewed. The award period is based on the semester(s) for which the student is enrolled. In general, the award periods are as follows:
- Fall Semester: 07/01-12/15
- Spring Semester: 12/16-04/30
- Summer Semester: 05/01-06/30