Student Financial Services automatically considers work-study awards for non-Virginian undergraduate students once their completed FAFSA, University Financial Aid Application (UFAA), or CSS/PROFILE (only for undergraduate entering and transfer students) and other requested documents are received. Graduate students may be considered for work study upon request. To request to be considered for FWS, choose this option on the intent page of the UFAA. Annual award amounts range from $1,000 to $4,000 for undergraduate students and up to $3,500 for graduate students.

For more information see the Federal Work-Study Student Handbook

Job Placement

All available work study jobs are posted on CAVLink, an online resource for listing jobs targeted toward UVA students. Students can search for 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.

Click here for helpful instructional videos about using CAVLink.

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. Instead, students receive pay for hours actually worked. Students must have their earnings deposited directly to their personal bank account. Students may sign up for direct deposit in the Finances section of their SIS Student Center.

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 taxable earnins from need-based employment programs on 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 also available through CAVLink.