Federal Work Study
The Federal Work Study Program (FWS) provides jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Priority consideration is provided to students who complete their FAFSA application by Feb. 1.
Priority Deadline
Many college students enroll approximately 12 to 15 credit hours per semester while working part time.
Requirements
You must meet all the eligibility criteria required for receipt of federal aid, including the Financial Aid & Scholarships Satisfactory Academic Progress policy (SAP), and you must:
- Enroll in classes at least half time to be eligible for your FWS position.
- Be notified of your Federal Work Study eligibility by the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office.
- Activate your financial aid awards online within 45 days.
- Confirm that you have read the UNLV Student Financial Assistance Guidebook (PDF).
Note: Changes to any of the following can impact your eligibility for assistance and the timing of when you receive your monies:
- Your enrollment
- State residency
- Housing (on campus, off campus, commuter)
- Satisfactory academic progress standing
- Other aid that you may be receiving
Consider these factors when planning your tuition, fees, and other university-related expenses.
To Apply
- Select a job from the ones currently active.
- Contact the employer directly to apply.
- Interview for the position and be hired by the employer.
Your employer will help you complete all necessary payroll forms before you begin working and will notify the Work Study Unit of your employment.
On- and Off-Campus Jobs
Jobs are available on and off campus. If you work on campus, UNLV is considered your employer. If you work off campus, UNLV is still considered your employer, but your work site will likely be a nonprofit organization or a public agency. The work you perform off campus must be in the public interest.
Community Service
Students offered FWS awards are encouraged to earn their awards while working in one of our community service or literacy tutoring jobs both on and off campus. Our office places an emphasis on students participating in literacy tutoring and family literacy opportunities. Agencies for which students have worked in the past include:
- American Red Cross South Nevada Chapter
- Las Vegas Natural History Museum
- Boys and Girls Club of Henderson MASH Village
- Class Publications
- Nike House
- Community Action Against Rape
- SAFE House
- Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow
- Southern Nevada Child
- Adolescent Services
- Greater Las Vegas Inner-City Games
- Reno Cooperative Extension
Hours
The amount of pay you earn can't exceed your total FWS award for the school year. Additionally, UNLV limits students to a total of 20 hours of work per week from all UNLV employment opportunities. Students may work up to 40 hours per week during times when school is not in session, if funds are available.
Salary
Federal Work Study wages are taxable by the Internal Revenue Service for federal income tax purposes. Once you are hired into a Federal Work Study job and have completed all needed payroll paperwork, you will:
- Keep a record of the hours you have worked.
- Submit your time sheet to your employing department once every two weeks.
- Receive a payroll check for the hours you reported.
- Earn anywhere from $6.33 per hour to $11.50 per hour — the federal government pays 75 percent of your salary, and the UNLV department hiring you contributes the remaining 25 percent.
Your earnings will not:
- Be available to help pay your tuition and fees at the start of each semester.
- Be counted against you in determining your financial aid eligibility on next year's FAFSA. When completing your FAFSA for the next upcoming school year, you can exclude your FWS earnings on the appropriate FAFSA line. Your FWS earnings can be excluded from your earned FAFSA income.
