http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

This can be done each year when Tax Forms are prepared, but can be done now–for info on FAFSA go to the above site. IT will determine size of potential awards.

This Information below came from

Financial Aid Resource Publications

from the U.S. Department of Education

http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/index.html

PAGE 8

WORK STUDY

What is the Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program?

Under the FWS Program, you can work part-time to earn money

for your education. The FWS Program:

• Provides part-time employment while you are enrolled

in school.

• Helps pay your educational expenses.

• Is available to undergraduate and graduate students.

• Is available to full-time or part-time students.

• Is administered by schools participating in the

FWS Program.

• Encourages community service work and work related

to your course of study, whenever possible.

What kinds of jobs are there?

The FWS Program provides jobs for students demonstrating

financial need. The program encourages community service

work and work related to the student’s course of study.

Are Federal Work-Study jobs on campus or

off campus?

Both. If you work on campus, you’ll usually work for your school.

If you work off campus, your employer will usually be a private

nonprofit organization or a public agency, and the work performed

must be in the public interest.

Some schools might have agreements with private for-profit

employers for FWS jobs. These jobs must be relevant to your

course of study (to the maximum extent possible). If you attend

a proprietary school (e.g., a for-profit institution), there may be

further restrictions on the types of jobs you can be assigned.

How much can I earn?

You’ll earn at least the current federal minimum wage. However,

the amount might be higher depending on the type of work you

do and the skills required for the position.

Your total FWS award depends on:

• When you apply,

• Your level of financial need, and

• Your school’s funding level. (We provide a certain

amount of work-study funds; when all funds have

been awarded, no additional work-study awards

can be made for that year.)

How will I be paid?

• Undergraduate student—by the hour.

• Graduate student—by the hour or by salary,

depending on the work you do.

• Your school must pay you at least once a month.

• Your school must pay you directly unless you

request that the school:

} send your payments directly to your bank

account, or

} use the money to pay for your education-related

institutional charges such as tuition, fees and room

and board.

Can I work as many hours as I want?

No. The amount you earn can’t exceed your total FWS award.

When assigning work hours, your employer or financial aid

administrator will consider your class schedule and your

academic progress.

THE ABOVE WAS FROM THE BOOKLET:

BESIDES THE INFORMATION ABOVE, KNOW THAT SOME COLLEGES ALSO HAVE ADDITIONAL WORK PROGRAMS.

SUCH AS THIS DESCRIPTION OF ONE FROM OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY:

The Ohio State University Kid Corps program is now hiring dedicated Federal Work Study Students for the Fall of 2007. OSU Kid Corps is an AmeriCorps program that is designed to help at risk preschoolers enter school prepared to succeed. The program focuses specifically on enhancing preschoolers’ cognitive development and providing experiences that foster positive interactions with other children in order to support a child’s school readiness skills. OSU Kid Corps members work a minimum of 11 hours a week in local early childhood and Head Start centers as well as other community outreach agencies. As a Kid Corps member, you will gain valuable skills and experience, earn federal work-study money and an AmeriCorps Education Award all while making a difference in the lives of children and a contribution to your community. All majors and academic disciplines are welcome.

As an OSU Kid Corps member you will be paid $9.05 an hour from the Federal Work-Study (FWS) award which is part of your financial aid package. Your FWS will be paid bi-weekly directly to you by direct deposit to your bank account. All Kid Corps trainings are paid and you’ll work a minimum of 11 hours a week. You are more than welcome to work more than that if you would like, as long as you do not exceed the 20 hours per week maximum allowed by Federal Work-Study (please note, however, that you cannot be paid more than your total Federal Work-Study award). Once you have completed 300 hours of service you will receive an AmeriCorps education award of $1,000. This is in addition to the Federal Work-Study funds you have already earned through working. This award can go toward anything that is school related (i.e. tuition, loans, books, etc.).

Contact the Financial Aid office of your intended or current college to find out what programs they may have above and beyond the Federal one.

If you are looking for additional monies, you may want to go to FastWeb, and either you or your parent or guardian fill out that form, and be apprised of potential awards as they become available.

Please go to FASFA: www.fafsa.ed.gov