Federal Work Study Program
The Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) is a part-time employment program for students with demonstrated financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Funding is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis allowing students to earn monies to help pay postsecondary educational expenses.The program encourages community service work and work related to the student's course of study.
*If you are interested in receiving FWS funds for the 2024-25 academic year, please bookmark this webpage to check back for more information coming this summer.*
Eligibility Requirements:
The following are requirements for a student to be eligible to work through the Federal Work Study program:
- be a US citizen or permanent resident of the US;
- be enrolled at least half-time in a matriculated program at Stockton;
- be in good academic standing;
- not owe a refund on a federal or state educational grant; and
- not be in default on a federal or state educational loan.
How to Indicate your Interest in the Program:
Coming soon!
If you're offered Federal Work Study Funding:
If you are awarded FWS funding, your financial aid notification will be updated to show the amount received in your goStockton Portal.
You will also receive a follow up email with next step instructions on how to look for an on-campus or off-campus job.
Students are responsible for securing their own employment either on campus or off-campus.
Tips for Securing Employment:
- Review the FWS Supervisor Contacts below to request an informational interview. Informational interviews are not a formal interview to be considered for a job,
but rather a meeting for you to gather information from a potential employer. Ask
questions about what it is like to work for that specific office/area to see if the
environment is right for you.
- View employment opportunities using the Office of Career Education & Development’s Handshake platform. Here you may review job description details and candidate qualifications for advertised
FWS positions. Apply only if you want to be seriously considered for the position
and want to be contacted for a formal interview.
- As there are a vast number of jobs on and off-campus, we will also post available
positions on this page. A list of employers for the 2024-2025 academic year is coming soon!
- As there are a vast number of jobs on and off-campus, we will also post available
positions on this page. A list of employers for the 2024-2025 academic year is coming soon!
- Dress to impress for any formal interview. Respect the employer’s time by showing up at least 15 minutes
early for your interview.
- Follow up with any potential employer by sending a thank you note/email to show your genuine interest in the position. Correspond in a timely and professional manner.
After You've Secured Employment:
Once you've secured employment, you will notify the Office of Financial Aid of your employment by emailing fws@stockton.edu
All Federal Work Study (FWS) forms are now electronic. Once we receive notification of a student's employment, we will send the student an email with instructions on how to access and complete the process, including the Student Employment Form. After completing all required forms and processes, the student may begin working.
Once you begin working, either you or your supervisor will need to input your hours worked into Web Time Entry (WTE) every two weeks. You will be paid biweekly via direct deposit.
Both the student and employer share the responsibility of monitoring FWS earnings to ensure that the award limit is not exceeded. You may earn up to half of your offer during the fall semester and the remaining award during the spring semester.
Helpful Links:
*The Student Employment Form is available to students at stockton.studentforms.com. Students who have not registered their account will be required to do so before
completing the form.
Click Here to Access the Student Employment Form
Being able to participate in the Federal Work Study program here at Stockton has opened up doors for me on and off campus. On-campus it has allowed me to become involved within the school and form friendships with students and staff. Off-campus it has given me real world experiences that have given me an advantage when applying for internships and jobs post graduation.
Federal Work Study Student
Federal Work Study FAQ's:
You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year and have unmet financial need. Unmet financial need is determined by the amount of grants, scholarships, and subsidized loan eligibility you may already receive. Federal Work Study (FWS) eligibility may change if you receive additional financial aid after being offered FWS funds. If this happens, you will receive a revised offer notification in your email and your financial aid offer notification will be updated within your goStockton Portal.
More information on how to indicate interest in the FWS program is coming soon!
Federal Work Study awards are no more than $4,000 for the academic year ($2,000 per semester) if you are a full-time student. Awards for part-time students are pro-rated based on enrollment.
You will be paid on a bi-weekly basis after reporting your hours worked in the university’s Web Time Entry system. Your Federal Work Study supervisor will instruct you on how to access your timesheet to report your hours worked. Then work study earnings will be directly deposited into the U.S. bank account of your choice.
You may only hold one FWS position at any given time.
Yes, Federal Work Study (FWS) students may not work more than 20 hours per week/40 hours per pay period. You and your FWS supervisor are responsible for keeping track of all hours worked. Once you have earned all your FWS funds, your FWS assignment will end.
Any Federal Work Study funds that are unearned by the end of the semester are forfeited. FWS funds do not rollover from one semester to the next.
You may use this payroll tracking worksheet to keep track of how many hours you have worked and how many hours you have remaining for the semester.
• Students who work 5 or more hours in a shift must take a minimum 30 minute break
• Students who are not enrolled full time (12 credits) per semester will have their
FWS award pro-rated
• Students will earn the NJ minimum wage rate set forth in N.J.A.C.12:56-3.1 and accrue
Personal Time Off (PTO)
per the Stockton Human Resources Policy
• Students may work a maximum of 20 hours per week
• Students will not exceed their maximum award per semester as shown in their financial
aid offer
• A student's FWS earnings will not be applied directly to their tuition account
In order to remain employed under the program, students must:
• Perform a satisfactory job and cooperate with the particular department’s procedures
• Adhere to work schedules
• Inform their supervisor of absences in advance if possible. If unable, inform as
early as possible on the
day of their absence
• Notify the Office of Financial Aid when intending to terminate their employment
as well as
the department/employer for which they work
If the student fails to work and adhere to the good job practices as stated above, their employment will be terminated.
A student job is an employment opportunity, which gives you, experience in the work place and your supervisor is a potential reference when you seek employment after leaving Stockton. Therefore, it is your responsibility to:
- Report to work on time and with regularity, calling in personally if you will be tardy or absent;
- Perform your job satisfactorily, maintaining the same standards of conduct as any regular, full-time employee;
- Assume the responsibilities attached to the position for the entire FWS period, but if circumstances necessitate a job change, notify the Office of Financial Aid. You should give your supervisor at least two weeks notice;
- Complete your Web Time Entry (WTE) on a regular basis as directed by your supervisor;
- Act in a professional manner concerning the confidentiality of information, which comes to you through your assignment.
You are also responsible for maintaining your schoolwork and not letting your job interfere with academics. However, recent studies show that academics are enhanced by students who have committed themselves to a part-time job because they acquire excellent time management and organizational skills.
As a FWS student, you have certain rights as follows:
- You have the right to choose your position in the department of your choice if several offers of employment are presented;
- You have the right to know the specified period of employment and the hourly salary rate prior to being hired;
- You have the right to see a written job description before accepting any position;
- You have the right to information concerning any hazardous substances and potential exposure in that workplace;
- You have the right to expect fair and equal treatment from your supervisors
Your supervisor is the key person in all communications that involve your work. You should bring any problems or concerns to his/her immediate attention. If the two of you cannot resolve the problem you should contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss your concerns.
