Although these are not technically programs that award or offer free money, they are often an important component in a financial aid package, and certainly are an important means of reducing your college costs. If the "need" portion of your student budget is not met through grants and scholarships, a work/study program may be included to make up the remaining need.

These "campus based" programs are awarded on the basis of need. The main purpose of a College Work Study (CWS) program is to help achieve the goal of lowering college costs. CWS programs give students the chance to earn money to help pay their educational expenses. They are more desirable than loans since there is no financial obligation involved in College Work/Study programs.

A hidden benefit of a CWS program is that students enrolled in the programs often learn to budget their time better and manage their money more efficiently and wisely.

Jobs in a work/study program are generally assigned on-campus rather than off-campus. Most students work between 10 and 15 hours a week in various jobs such as library assistant, cafeteria/dining room worker, office assistant, maintenance and grounds keeping, faculty aide, and other similar positions. A student must be enrolled at least half-time in order to qualify for the program.

If a student works off-campus, it must be for a public or private nonprofit organization or a federal, state, or local public organization. In some cases schools have agreements with private sector employers for CWS jobs. Off-campus employers are subsidized by the federal government.

Students are paid at least the current federal hourly minimum wage. The amount a student can earn is determined and limited by (1) the student's financial need; (2) how much money is being funded to his/her school for the CWS program; and (3) other financial aid the student is receiving. The amount earned by a student can never exceed the total CWS award. If you are awarded CWS as part of your aid package, your school's financial aid officer works with you to set up your work schedule in accordance with your class schedule, wealth, and academic progress.

CWS programs are in demand at colleges, and since each school is allocated only a certain amount of funds, it is important to apply early to enroll in this popular, competitive program.

Student Educational Employment Program
(formerly Junior Fellowships, and other programs).

Program is offered to students who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment as degree seeking students taking at least a half-time academic, technical, or vocational course load in an accredited high school, technical, vocational, 2 or 4-year college or university, graduate or professional school. For more information visit the web site.