Student Financial Services automatically considers work-study awards for non-Virginian undergraduate students once their completed FAFSA and University Financial Aid Application (UFAA) are received. Graduate students may be considered for work study upon request. Students who are not awarded work-study may request work-study if they wish to replace their need-based loan award, depending on availability of funds and eligibility of the student. Annual award amounts range from $1,000 to $2,000 for undergraduate students and up to $6,000 for graduate students. For more information see the Federal Work-Study Student Handbook

Job Placement

Student Financial Services will make available to eligible students all FWS job listings on the financial aid web site through CAVLink's electronic student employment program. Students can search for their own FWS job based on their own interests and class schedule. Students will also have the ability to contact employers directly about the job duties, how to secure the job, and complete all required FWS paperwork. Financial Aid counselors will be available to help students with CAVLink and answer FWS questions. Search for FWS Job Postings on-line.

Employment Regulations

Students normally work between eight and fifteen hours per week when classes are in session. In some instances, students may elect to work up to forty hours per week during vacation periods. No student will be paid less than the federal minimum wage.

Paychecks

Work-study awards are not applied to the student account billing statement. Instead, students receive pay for hours actually worked. Students must choose to receive paychecks in the mail or have their earnings deposited directly to their personal bank account. The Direct Deposit Authorization Form is issued at the place of work and available online.

Taxable Federal Work-Study Earnings

Earnings under the federal work-study program are earned income and subject to federal, state, and local tax withholding. Students employed under the federal work-study program will receive a W-2 form at the end of January, which documents all earnings at the University. It is the student's responsibility to report FWS earnings on their income tax returns. It is also the student's responsibility to report all taxable earnings as earned income and as an exclusion on Worksheet C of the FAFSA for the next award year.

Other Student Employment Opportunities

Students who may not qualify for the federal work-study program may choose to work at various student employment opportunities throughout the University. These jobs include clerical, laboratory, and customer service positions. These job postings are available through CAVLink.