Federal Work-Study

The Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) is a federally funded program administered by the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office that provides part-time employment opportunities to earn money to help pay education expenses through on and off-campus jobs.

Student Resources

  • Must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 2.
  • Must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.
  • Undergraduate Student enrolled at least half-time. (6 units or more).
  • Student Aid Index (SAI) between -1500 and 5000.
  • US Citizen or Permanent Resident.
  • Must have an official award notification from the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office.

  • Access Cal State LA Handshake for available work-study positions 

Employer Resources for Hiring

On-Campus employers are responsible for the following process for new recruitments: 

  1. Submit a Student Employment Requisition and Work-Study (FWS) Job Description Template to the Experiential Learning Office for review and approval. To submit a requisition, email [email protected].
     
  2. Departments must then post their federal work-study position via Handshake. To post, follow the instructions on the Handshake On-Campus FWS Job Posting Guide.
    • Once your requisition and position have been approved by the FWS Coordinator, students may begin applying.
    • Student Employment Application must be submitted via Handshake.
    • Departments can email [email protected] for initial eligibility before interviewing students. 
       
  3. Complete the Eligibility Verification Form. Once the eligibility verification document has been approved by all parties, the completed form will be returned via email.
    • Awards are conditional on available funding. Possible changes can occur, and departments and students will be notified of potential changes before changes are made. 
       
  4. Fill out the FWS Form and attach all required documents. All documents listed below will be required, missing forms will result in a processing delay.

The FWS Coordinator will reach out to the student hires for the next steps in the hiring process, which can be a live scan and/or Hiring Appointment

The Authorization to Work notice will indicate the day the student employee can start working. A student employee is not able to begin work until we have sent out the work authorization email.

  1. For extending or rehires, ensure a Student Employment Requisition and Work-Study (FWS) Job DescriptionTemplate is approved by the Experiential Learning Office. If modifications have been made to the current position, a new requisition will need to be submitted via email to [email protected].
  2. Complete the Eligibility Verification Form.
  3. Once the Eligibility Verification Request Form has been approved by all parties, fill out a FWS Form and attach all required documents. All documents listed below will be required, missing forms will result in a processing delay.

The Authorization to Work notice will indicate the day the student employee can continue working. A student employee is not able to begin work until we have sent out the work authorization email.

Federal Work Study Hiring Dates
Terms of HiringAppointment DatesEligibility Verification AvailableSubmit Hiring PacketReconciliation of Unused Awards
Fall 202508/18/2025 to 12/20/202506/01/2025 to 10/31/202507/01/202510/01/2025
Spring 202601/19/2026 to 05/23/202612/01/2025 to 03/01/202601/02/202603/01/2026

Use Appointment Dates to complete the "Effective Employment Dates" in the Employment Transaction Form (ETF). Please keep in mind that the effective dates are a request and will be modified to reflect the start date on the student employee's authorization to work letter.

Additional Resources

All new candidates for student employment must demonstrate employment eligibility. The steps for demonstrating employment eligibility depend upon the student's status. Students are responsible for completing their I-9 Employment Verification Form in person.

Per Human Resource Management (HRM), live scans will be required for student worker positions that are sensitive in nature and/or have access to confidential information. The live scan procedures for all student worker positions are coordinated through Financial Aid and Scholarships.

A separation form is required when the student employee will no longer be employed with the University for one of the following reasons:

  • A student employee resigns before the end of the temporary appointment.
  • Department is discharging the employee earlier than the end of the temporary appointment.
  • Department is not planning to retain the employee beyond the end of the temporary appointment.

Processing for Separations:

  1. Ensure your student employee has submitted all payable hours via HRM.
  2. Complete a Separation Form and submit via FWS Forms.
  3. Email the employee’s name, CIN, and last day of employment to [email protected] and [email protected] 

Contact Us:

For questions or training contact us at [email protected].