Student Financial Aid

Students in the Sanford Center, student at their computers.

Student Financial Aid
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5337 USA
(269) 387-6000

Federal Work-Study Program

Federal work-study is a need-based financial aid program funded by the federal government and Western Michigan University. Unlike grants and scholarships, federal work-study offers are earned and paid through the payroll process in the form of a biweekly paycheck. Federal work-study offers and amounts are subject to eligibility requirements and fund availability. Early application is very important.

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For students

Participating in federal work-study can be a gratifying experience. It's not only an additional avenue to help pay for school but it also helps you gain some invaluable social and professional skills that will help you in your future career. To learn more about whether you're eligible, review the requirements and explore the different programs available.

Financial aid eligibility

Students earning federal work-study must meet and maintain general financial aid eligibility criteria, including satisfactory academic progress.

Earnings

Offers may be canceled if no paycheck has been issued within the first four weeks of the semester or session.

Frequently asked questions

Students are offered college work-study based on criteria such as demonstrated financial need, previous work-study experience and work-study preference indicated on the FAFSA. Because work-study is a financial aid program, you must meet general eligibility criteria, including Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). If you fail to maintain SAP, your work-study offer may be canceled.

Each year, you should apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov. Be sure to indicate your preference for work-study on the FAFSA.

Applications for the upcoming school year are accepted beginning Jan. 1 of each year. As with many financial aid programs, work-study funding is limited, so you should apply as soon after Jan. 1 as you are able.

No. You must reapply for financial aid each school year. Also, you must apply separately for summer I and summer II financial aid. The summer I application will be available in March each year, and the summer II application will be available in May each year.

The amount of your work-study offer, your hourly rate of pay and the number of weeks you intend to work during the semester will be the primary determinants of the number of hours you may work each week. WMU policy also places limits on the number of hours that a student may work. For more information about the University’s limits, please visit wmich.edu/career/campus.

Work-study positions differ from other student positions in the source of funds that pay the employee. You report to a job and earn a paycheck in the same manner as other student positions. Additionally, wages earned through work-study are permitted a special exclusion in the earned income section of the student's FAFSA the following year. Contact a financial aid representative for more information about this exclusion.

Most on-campus student positions are available to students who wish to earn their work-study offers. WMU also offers off-campus opportunities with community service agencies and local schools. Some students choose jobs in fields related to their major course of study. Others choose positions of personal interest that complement their educational experience.

You may find a position by browsing Handshake online. You may also find unique opportunities by talking with campus staff, instructors and other students. For personal assistance with your job search, please contact Career and Student Employment Services at (269) 387-2745.

If you do not wish to earn your work-study offer, please cancel your offer by completing the student financial aid adjustment form. Other students may be waiting for funds to be released, and they will benefit from your early response.

I had to learn how to be adaptable at times and think outside the box while also learning how to delegate tasks on a team and be as efficient as possible. These skills are going to help me in my future as a doctor. I learned a lot about who I actually am and saw how much I actually thrive under pressure.
—Grace Filpi, B.S.'22, worked as assistant program manager for Fall Welcome

For employers

If you employ students under the federal work-study program, either on- or off-campus or through the America Reads, America Counts tutoring program, you will need access to a variety of information. We cover it all with complete details on hiring students, processing payroll and following University guidelines.

Financial aid eligibility

Students earning federal work-study must meet and maintain general financial aid eligibility criteria, including Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).

Earnings

Offers may be canceled if no paycheck has been issued within the first four weeks of the semester or session.

Monitor payroll

Payrolls should be closely monitored by departments to verify that student earnings are charging federal work-study and not departmental accounts.

 

 

Frequently asked questions

This information can be found using the PeopleSoft Timekeeper Report. Instructions for gaining access and running the report can be found on Human Resources' webpage.

Unused offers will automatically carry forward to the next semester or session if the semester or session receiving the carry forward is within the same financial aid year (summer II, fall, spring, summer I) and the semester or session receiving the carry forward also includes a work-study offer.

This information can be found using the Cognos report, 30.30.10 Work Study Departmental Auditing. It is located within the 30.00 Financial Aid folder under Team Content. You will be asked to provide the semester and the name of your department.