Work-Study Instructions

Overview of work-study

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a program through the U.S. Department of Education that provides funds for students with financial need, allowing IU Indianapolis students to earn money to help offset the costs of higher education. Approximately 3,000 IU Indianapolis students are offered work-study awards each academic year as part of their financial aid packages. Students can then secure a part-time job on campus or in approved community work-study agencies to receive a biweekly paycheck.

Through hiring students who have been awarded work-study, departments and approved community work-study agencies not only provide students with financial need valuable skills and academically relevant work experiences, but also receive a financial incentive through paying just 25% of students' wages up to their award amounts. The remaining 75% is subsidized by the federal government.

How to recruit work-study students

All student employee job postings must be posted to IU Indianapolis's job board, which includes a question to indicate whether your position is limited to candidates with a work-study award to filter accordingly for students who match your requirements. Also, supervisors, departments, and approved community work-study agencies may include the blurb below in the qualifications section of the job posting.

This position is limited to candidates with a Federal Work-Study Program award. To verify you have a work-study award, please go to your One.IU.edu account (look under Student Center and Financial Aid Summary). If you have an award, it will be listed with the rest of your financial aid (e.g., loans, grants, scholarships). This video will direct you to the correct screen. You may also email the Office of Student Financial Services to inquire about eligibility.

Identifying students with work-study funds

We encourage employers who want to hire students with work-study funds to request that students provide confirmation of a work-study award during the interview to verify they have received a FWS award for the current term. Students can learn how to print their financial aid notification as verification by using this print your financial aid notification tutorial.

Timeframe

Award eligibility dates

2024-2025 authorization form is available.

Students can begin working on August 4, 2024; the last day to earn work-study funding is May 10, 2025.

Getting agency approval for the Community Work-Study (CWS) Program

The CWS approval and agency management process has transitioned to the Office of Student Employment at IU Indianapolis. To be considered as a CWS-approved agency, the agency must be a nonprofit or a government entity. Agencies must go through the application and vetting process to be eligible to hire students with work-study awards. If you are interested in learning more about this program or have any questions about this process, email fwsjobs@iu.edu for more information and guidance.