Federal Work Study

• Students can work a maximum of 20 hours per week (cannot be scheduled during class periods)
• Can only hold one FWS position at a time
• No remote or take home work is permitted in this program
• Students must be supervised and cannot replace staff positions
• No political or religious tasks permitted
• You may only be paid for actual hours worked (subject to hourly wage laws)
• You may only earn up to the award amount granted by Financial Aid
• Your award amount is the total you can earn in Fall & Spring
• Timesheets are due bi-weekly in order to receive a paycheck
  • Payroll Calendar
  • Timesheet Instructions
  • Correcting Hours

There are numerous on-campus work-study employment opportunities for eligible students. Students may choose where they want to apply; there is a surplus of positions which ensures there will always be a job available for every student. Some jobs may have qualification requirements, such as having a lifeguard certification or a required major for a lab/research position.

Example Jobs:

• Library Help Desk Assistant
• Mailroom Clerk
• Lab Assistant
• Student Ambassador (Tour Guide)
• Vertex (manufacturing) Technician
• Research Assistant
• Student Life Activities Assistant

The Community Service program provides off-campus, part-time employment to eligible students. The work must be performed with a non-profit agency that is contracted with Career Services. Students are responsible for transportation to their job site, but most sites are very close to campus.

Off-Campus Community Service Sites:

• University Park Elementary: Afterschool Tutor in English & Math
  • Tutor elementary students in 1-6 grades from 3-5pm (0.5 mile from campus)
• Groundswell Startups: 3D Printing Technician/Business Assistant
  • Assist entrepreneurs and tech startups with product creation (2 miles from campus)

1. Check your Financial Aid Package to Accept Your Award

Each student will receive an award amount in their Financial Aid Package, this is the amount you can earn for both Fall & Spring. If you have questions about your award, contact Financial Aid.

2. Log In to Workday to Apply to a Job

• Use your TRACKS login on Workday; you must be on the campus network to view all positions
  • Use Chrome browser on a PC to avoid application errors
  • Many students may only apply (submit documents) if they are on the "eduroam" campus wifi
• In the top search bar, enter "Find Student Jobs" and click on the jobs report
• Apply to positions marked 'FWS only'; you can filter for these under "Job Family" and select "Student - Work Study"
• Each department has different interview procedures and will send an offer through Workday. You may reach out to the supervisor listed on the job for questions about the position

3. Complete Any Hire Paperwork

• New Students: You will complete an I-9 and W-4 in Workday and go to the HR office on campus to show your original IDs. Be sure to bring at least one ORIGINAL from the following list from home (copies are not acceptable): Form I-9 Acceptable Documents | USCIS. (You only need one ID from list A OR if you don't have those IDs, you must have one from List B & one from List C.
• All Students: Update your Check Address or Direct Deposit in Workday

4. Start Date Will Be Confirmed by Human Resources

If you have questions about the Workday system or your application status, contact hr@fit.edu.

You must have completed a FAFSA to receive the award from Financial Aid. Contact finaid@fit.edu if you have any questions about your award amount or any changes to your award. Financial Aid may change or cancel your award based on new eligibility info.

• You MAY NOT earn more than your award. It is your responsibility to track your earnings (totals are given on each pay stub). You must stop working when your award ends.
• You MUST earn your award by working. You are not guaranteed this money by Financial Aid, you are paid hourly to receive the award through a paycheck. It is up to you to pick a job that meets your schedule and how many hours you would like to work. You also may not volunteer for your paid job, you must be paid for all your worked hours.
• Complete your timesheet to get paid! Timesheets are due in Workday every 2 weeks. If you miss the deadline, you will miss your check! You will then need to enter corrected hours and wait another pay period to be paid.

You may only earn up to the award amount given by Financial Aid. Since this is federal money, you or your department will be subject to paying back any overage earned if you exceed your award amount. You do not have to use all of your award, and you can 
use up to your awarded amount in either Fall or Spring (does not need to be evenly divided between the semesters). 

Keep track of your earnings by viewing your pay stubs in WorkDay. 

At the end of January, W-2 wage forms will be available in WorkDay for the prior year. If you are unsure if you must pay taxes, see a tax professional. All earnings in the US are subject to IRS rules based on your total earnings for the year. 

Work Study is active in the Fall & Spring semesters; all jobs end on May 8, 2026.

Reasons your job may be ended before May:

• You have exhausted all of your award amount
• You graduate in the Fall or withdraw from the university
• You voluntarily resign (notify your supervisor)
• You are terminated for not following HR conduct policies

For questions about Workday and application issues, contact: hr@fit.edu.

Your FWS award is the total amount of money you can potentially earn within the traditional academic year (Fall & Spring semesters), the amount is awarded based on your FAFSA and Financial Aid package limits. It is not guaranteed money. The rate at which you earn this amount will depend on your hourly pay rate and how many hours you work. You do not have to earn all of it, any unearned money is kept in the Federal Fund and does not affect what you receive the following year.

NO! FWS requires that a supervisor be present to work, so take-home work or remote work is not allowed. You are to work on projects or activities for the university and not personal projects (such as senior design projects). If you never see your supervisor or only a GSA is present with you, contact fws@fit.edu.

Students will receive a paycheck bi-weekly (must complete your timesheet in Workday by the deadline). This money does not go towards tuition, since these are earned wages you can use the money on whatever you choose.

If your office is open during a holiday or weekend (supervisor must be present!) students may work during these periods. During non-class periods (holiday breaks) students may work up to 40 hours per week. All positions end May 8, there is no FWS in the summer.

When you’ve maxed out your earnings, your position will end, and you must stop working immediately. It is YOUR responsibility to track how much you’re earning and not go over your award (Totals are given on each pay stub in Workday). Any money you earn in excess of your award will be paid back by either you or your department.

No. You may not work until your authorized start date, sent to you and your supervisor in WorkDay. You will not receive a timesheet until your start date.

Once you receive an offer in WorkDay, you will need to complete onboarding tasks with HR, which includes your I9, W4, and Direct Deposit. Depending how quickly you complete these steps, it could take a week or more to be processed. Contact hr@fit.edu to check on the status of your hire.

There are more jobs than students to fill them, so you are guaranteed a job. However, some departments may be popular and fill all their spots, if this happens go to your next choice. You may apply to any positions marked ‘FWS Only’ or ‘FWS Eligible’ on WorkDay. Postings will continue to be updated as jobs are added and closed.

Many factors can change your eligibility (such as receiving new scholarships or dropping below half time in classes). Speak directly with Financial Aid to find out the reason.

You may change jobs at any point in the semester by informing your current supervisor of your resignation and applying to a new job in Workday. You must receive permission from your supervisors to work more than one position, as your maximum hours per week (20) will need to be split between your positions.

Yes, this is a real job hired by university and can be taxed. You must follow all HR conduct policies to keep the job and are expected to call out of your shift ahead of time with your supervisor. You can list FWS as a work experience on your resume

Communicate with your supervisor if you are having any issues or payment problems. If you are having an issue with your supervisor or the problem is not resolved, contact Human Resources at hr@fit.edu or 321-674-7427.