College Work-Study (CWS) at ISU

The College Work-Study (CWS) program at ISU offers part-time employment to undergraduate and graduate students with demonstrated financial need. Through participation in both the Federal Work-Study (FWS) and State Work-Study (SWS) programs, eligible students can earn income to help offset educational expenses.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for Work-Study, students must:

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Demonstrate financial need (as determined by FAFSA)
Be enrolled at least half-time (6 or more credits)

Employment Information

Students are responsible for securing their own qualifying Work-Study job placements.
Job opportunities are available on Handshake, accessible via the ISU Career Center. Listings are typically posted before August.
Work-Study positions are hourly wage-based; wages are paid biweekly and not disbursed in a lump sum.
Most students work 10–20 hours per week.
The minimum wage in Idaho is $7.25 per hour.

Note: Work-Study is not available during the summer term.

Monitoring Your Work-Study Award

Once employment begins for the award year, students can check their Work-Study balance on MyISU under the My Financial Aid card.

Additional Resources and Information

For Students:

For Employers:

Loans, Work-Study Employment, or Scholarships are other types of aid.