College Student Loan News and Info

Education Financial Aid

Need money for college? How about applying for a work-study job. The federal work-study program is a form of education financial aid that doesn’t need repaid. Instead, students get a job with the help of the U.S. Department of Education.

Federal work-study is applied for via the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). On the FAFSA there is a place for the student to mark “yes” when asked if they are interested in student employment. Work-study jobs pay minimum wage and allow the student an opportunity to gain work experience while receiving education financial aid.
If the student qualifies, he or she will receive a work-study award. In order to cash in on the award, the student has to officially accept the award.

In a lot of ways, work-study is just like most other forms of educational financial aid. The award comes with a set dollar amount. Once the student earns the total of the award, there is no more aid left. To participate in the program, the student must also maintain satisfactory progress towards a degree and enroll for a minimum number of credit hours.

Work-study is usually served on campus. Depending on the college, there may be off-campus opportunities. The competition for work-study jobs can be tough when it comes to certain – more desirable jobs. Sometimes, in order to obtain a particular work-study assignment, the student may have to interview with the hiring supervisor. Certain qualifications and skills may also be required. To be safe, it is a good idea to put together a resume detailing what you have to offer. A cover letter helps too. With CV and resume in hand, you will have a head start when job openings are posted. Federal work-study is just one of many forms of education financial aid.