Federal Work Study

Student Employment

Student Employment is an opportunity for students to work on campus and gain valuable work experience while supporting students’ college careers. Student Employment earnings are not applied to students’ bills unlike other types of financial aid, including grants, scholarships, and loans. These earnings can assist with day-to-day expenses and are not aimed to cover larger costs such as tuition or housing. However, students can use their earnings to assist in paying their tuition, books, and fees. There are two types of Student Employment: Federal Work-Study (FWS) and Campus Employment.

What is Federal Work-Study and How Do I Know if I Qualify?

FWS is a federal program administered by Adelphi University that provides opportunity for part-time employment to students with financial need to help pay for educational expenses. FWS is awarded to students based on their financial aid eligibility. It is not a grant, as you must work to earn it,   neither is it a loan, as  you don’t have to repay it. Students may be eligible if they meet the following criteria:

• Completed their FAFSA
• US Citizen/Eligible Non-Citizens

Can I Work on Campus if I don’t qualify for Federal Work-Study?

If a student does not meet the FWS eligibility requirements, they can still work on campus, under Campus Employment if they are:

•  An enrolled student
• An international student
• A student who did not complete their FAFSA

 Benefits of Working on Campus

• A means for both undergraduate and graduate students to earn money to pay for their educational expenses.
• Provides a flexible schedule so students can focus on their courses first.
• Equips students with valuable real-word experience and builds skills necessary for their future career(s).
• Offers students networking opportunities.
• Increases student retention and earlier graduation.

Responsibilities of Working on Campus

Students’ Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Federal Work-Study

•  Sharing the responsibility of tracking their hours they worked to ensure they do not go over the maximum allotted hours. For the fall and spring term the maximum amount a student can work is 20 hours a week, while for the intersession and summer it is 27 hours per week.
• Sharing the responsibility of tracking their allocated award. When students have almost earned their full work award, they should discuss any adjustments that need to be made with their supervisor.

Federal Work-Study and Campus Employment

• Adhering to any confidentiality policies an employer sets.
• Notifying their supervisor if they work more than one position on campus.
• Following department policies and procedures.
• Completing all necessary paperwork at Human Resources located in Levermore Hall, room 203, before starting the offered position. For more information on what documents to bring, visit Required Documents for On-Campus Jobs | Adelphi University.

For more information on guidelines and responsibilities please visit Adelphi’s Human Resources.

Pay Rate and Earnings

Federal Work-Study

• The pay rate is tied directly to the job obtained and depends on the experience and skills required for the position. It is not contingent upon year in college or the amount of work-study you have in your financial aid offer.
• The amount of work-study listed on your financial assistance plan offer is the maximum amount you can earn for the academic year.

Federal Work-Study and Campus Employment

• Students employed in a work-study position will receive an hourly rate and are paid every two weeks for hours worked. Earnings are not applied directly to the tuition bill.

Types of Positions Available

There are a wide variety of FWS and Campus Employment positions available, each with the potential to help students develop useful skills for their career. Students can find on-campus or off-campus jobs at Adelphi University’s Center for Career and Professional Development. All students are required to search and apply for the positions of interest; students will not be automatically placed in FWS positions.

All available positions are posted through Handshake. To access a listing of positions, please view the step-by-step instructions.

FAFSA and Tax Implications

Federal Work-Study and Campus Employment

• All student earnings made from work are considered taxable income. Students should determine whether they are required to file a federal or state tax return depending on how much they earned from their position(s) in the prior year. If applicable, students should report their earnings on their W-2 form, along with any other earnings received through the year on the FAFSA. Learn more information on federal taxes. Read the New York state tax information or students should visit the website for their state of residency.

Student Employee Resources