Financial Aid
Federal Work-Study Program
The Federal Work-Study Program provides 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 your course of study. Recipients are offered the opportunity to work 20 hours a week at various types of jobs both on and off campus. Requires a FAFSA and the appropriate forms every year.
If you are awarded Federal College Work Study, you will receive an award letter through the mail. To inquire about placement, please read the FAQs. If you have any further questions please call (646) 312-1252 to set an appointment with Isis Umana-Walters, the College Work Study Coordinator. You must bring and submit copies of your student id and social security card, along with the appropriate form at the time of placement.
You are required to attend one orientation each academic year. You will receive an email before the upcoming orientations, in which you will register to attend on a specific date and time. Times and locations of orientations will not be posted on the work study website.
Employment opportunity through CUNY and other employers.
2011-2012 Student Employment Payroll Calendar.
Print out Federal Work Study Timesheets here.
NOTE: When submitting timesheets, please only put the last four digits of student's social security number.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I apply?
- Where would I work?
- Can I choose where I would like to work?
- Can I earn as much money as I want?
- Am I paid an hourly wage or a salary?
- How will I be paid?
- If I am unable to earn my entire award, will I be able to receive the rest of the money?
- How many credits do I have to take for FWS eligibility?
- Do I have to stop working if I withdraw from school?
- I am currently receiving unemployment. Do I have to report FWS earnings to the unemployment office?
- Are FWS earnings taxable?
- Why do I have to fill out an I-9 Form?
How do I apply?
To be considered for this award, you must fill out your financial aid applications by an established filing deadline and request consideration for FWS by checking the appropriate box on the FAFSA. FWS money is awarded on a first-come, first served basis. The College receives a fixed amount of money each academic year to make FWS awards. Once this money is awarded, the funds are exhausted for the academic year. You are encouraged to file your FAFSA early.
When you receive your award letter from the College, it will indicate whether or not you have been awarded FWS.
Students not eligible for FWS and International Students:
International students cannot receive FWS, and students who are not eligible for FWS may be eligible to work through Baruch Student Employment (BSEP). Students must file their FAFSA prior to working on BSEP. International students are exempt from filing the FAFSA. Students must find a department in Baruch College that has BSEP money. If the department would like to hire you, you would make an appointment with the Work Study Coordinator.
Where would I work?
Where you work depends on the amount of your award, class schedule and job skills. To the maximum extent possible, the FWS Placement Office tries to place you in a job that complements or reinforces your educational program or career goals. You may work either on-campus in one of the departments of the College or off-campus at a number of non-profit community service agencies affiliated with CUNY. Also, it may be possible for you to work at selected companies in the private sector that choose to participate in the program. If you receive a small award or have a heavy class schedule, you will usually be placed on-campus.
Can I choose where I would like to work?
Yes. If you receive a FWS award, you will come to the Financial Aid Office at the beginning of the term for placement. If you have a department that would like to hire you, have them contact the Work Study Coordinator, so that you may be placed. You may then begin to work once the tax documents, I-9 form, and contract are received by the Work Study Coordinator.
Can I earn as much money as I want?
No. Your FWS award represents the maximum amount you may earn for the academic year. How much of the total award you actually receive depends upon your rate of pay, the total number of hours you work each week and the number of weeks you work in the year. Once you have earned your maximum FWS award, you will have to stop working.
Am I paid an hourly wage or a salary?
You are paid by the hour, your rate of pay being determined by the job location and the nature of the work involved. You will receive at least $7.50 per hour for on-campus positions. The rate of pay for jobs off-campus range from $7.50 to $9.00 per hour. Graduate Students’ starting pay rate is $10.00 per hour.
How will I be paid?
Every two weeks, your supervisor submits a time sheet for you to the Financial Aid Payroll Office. After your first time sheet is submitted, you may have to wait up to 4 weeks for your first check. Subsequently, you will receive a paycheck every two weeks.
If I am unable to earn my entire award, will I be able to receive the rest of the money?
No. You can be paid only for the hours you have worked. If you cannot earn your entire FWS award before the end of the academic year, the unearned portion of your award is returned to the program.
How many credits do I have to take for FWS eligibility?
You must register for and maintain an enrollment status of half-time (6 credits or equated credits) or greater to be eligible for FWS. If, for any reason, your course load falls below half-time, you can no longer participate in the program and must stop working.
Do I have to stop working if I withdraw from school?
Yes. If you withdraw from school for any reason, you lose your eligibility for FWS and must stop working.
I am currently receiving unemployment. Do I have to report FWS earnings to the unemployment office?
Yes. If you are receiving unemployment insurance benefits and are also employed in the FWS program, you must notify your local unemployment office that you are working in the FWS program. The New York State Department of Labor considers it willful misrepresentation to collect unemployment benefits without revealing that you are also receiving FWS.
Are FWS earnings taxable?
Yes. FWS earnings are considered taxable income by both federal and state governments. However, FWS earnings are not included in the calculation of your eligibility for financial aid.
Why do I have to fill out an I-9 Form?
According to federal law, the identity and work eligibility of all FWS students must be verified before beginning a FWS assignment. You will have to complete an I-9 form and present certain documents to an appropriate FWS representative. You may not participate in the FWS program or BSEP program until you have filed an I-9 form with the Financial Aid Office.
Forms:
- Form W-4 (2011)
- Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification
- Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate (IT-2104)
- Certificate of Exemption from Withholding (IT-2104E)
