What is Federal Work-Study (FWS)?  

Federal work-study is a federal aid program which subsidizes wages for eligible students. It provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay for educational expenses. Students are encouraged to find employment in community service and work related to their course of study. At Princeton, some campus jobs are only open to FWS-eligible students.  

Eligibility

To be eligible for Federal Work-Study at Princeton, students must: 

  • demonstrate need under the Department of Education’s methodology
  • be enrolled full time
  • demonstrate satisfactory academic progress according to UFA SAP policy

Conditions of FWS Employment

  • Earnings are limited to the amount specified in the financial aid offer.   Students who exceed the limit specified in their financial aid offer may be required to stop working. The Student Employment Office will notify students who are approaching their FWS earnings limit and work with them to increase the earnings limit when possible.
  • Federal Work-Study students are paid on an hourly basis only. Salary, fee or commission arrangements are not permitted. Students must be paid for all hours worked and may not volunteer their services to employer.
  • Students may not work during their scheduled class hours. 

FWS students are encouraged to work in community service areas

Princeton encourages FWS students to work in community service areas such as education, health care, housing and neighborhood improvement, literacy training, public safety, recreation, rural development, transportation, and other activities specified in the Community Service Act. Community service employment can be in either public or private nonprofit organizations and is available during both the academic year and in the summer. Students are paid for work that improves the quality of life and serves the needs of community residents, particularly low-income individuals. Summer positions can be located either in the student’s home community or elsewhere.

Enrolled students with a Federal Work-Study job included in their financial aid offer can participate.

The community service Federal Work-Study Program is a contractual agreement between Princeton University and the nonprofit agency. Students are paid biweekly by Princeton University.