Federal Work-Study

To be eligible to participate in a Federal work study, a student must reside in Maryland and be able to work in an approved position for a set number of hours per week.

Under this program, student employment is funded through federal funds and funds provided by an eligible employer.

FWS is taxable income paid directly to the student by check. Earnings do not reduce your tuition bill. Funds are limited and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. The maximum award is contingent upon your program eligibility, the employment obtained, and the availability of funds.

Community service opportunities are also available through the FWS program. These services are designed to improve community residents’ quality of life and solve particular problems in specific areas such as health care, childcare, literacy training, social services, housing, recreation, and public safety.

Students may obtain off-campus employment in a non-profit, federal, state, or local public agency. Off-campus employment must benefit the population and be considered in the “public interest.” No work may be performed for profit-making organizations or be involved in any political or religious activity.

A student may only have one FWS position. However, additional employment not funded through FWS is allowed. This policy has been implemented to make employment available to as many students as possible, to ensure that students do not exceed the statutory limit of 19 hours of work per week, and to facilitate good management of payroll administration. If you have more than one job, you cannot exceed 20 hours a week in a combination of all employment. Students are not permitted to work during official university closings.

Obtaining Federal Work-Study Employment

Application Procedures

1. Apply for federal financial aid and accept the Estimated Federal Work-Study award in SIS.
2. Obtain a Federal Work-Study Authorization and Appointment Form via SIS on your “To Do List”.  This will be made available to you after you enroll in your program. Email requests may be sent after you enroll. Only the JHU Office of Financial Aid Office may certify your eligibility for FWS.
3. Contact the JHU School of Education Office of Financial Aid via email [email protected] to discuss available community service-based federal work-study positions.
4. Search for an appropriate position. Listings of employment opportunities (including Community Service) can be viewed on SMILE, theUniversity Experiential Learning platform. You will be granted access to the portal when you enroll.
5. FWS funds are limited, and students are encouraged to begin this process as soon as possible after enrolling in their degree program
6. Contact potential employers to arrange an interview.
7. Confirm a job offer by having the supervisor fill out Section 1 (Appointment Request) of your FWS Authorization and Appointment Form.
8. Return the signed (section 2) and completed FWS Authorization and Appointment Form to the FAO.
9. If funds are available, JHU School of Education’s Financial Aid Office will send copies of the fully completed FWS Authorization and Appointment Form to both the student and supervisor to confirm the terms of employment.
10. Complete the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Process. Students will receive detailed instructions at the same time when terms of employment are confirmed.
11. Students will receive notification regarding documents needed for payroll processing. 

Student Responsibilities

Upon acceptance of a FWS position, it is the student’s responsibility to:

1. Maintain employment in only one FWS position.
2. Arrange a work schedule with the employer.
3. Adhere to terms of employment.
4. Submit employer-signed time records of your hours worked on at least a semi-monthly basis.
5. Monitor cumulative earnings and designated employment dates.
6. Notify the departmental administrator, the job supervisor, and the FAO if, for any reason, you cannot maintain the work schedule.
7. Give adequate notice to the job supervisor and the FAO if job cessation is likely.
8. Notify the FAO of any change in registration status.