College Work-Study: FAQ

The College Work-Study (CWS) Program offers part-time employment opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need. This federally funded program helps students earn money to pay for educational expenses while promoting community service and work aligned with their field of study.

Where do I Find CWS Award and Eligibility Information?

CWS eligibility is included in a student’s Financial Aid Award and can be reviewed in the “Offer” tab of MyISU, under the My Financial Aid section.

Even if not initially awarded, students may request a review to adjust existing aid to include CWS if eligible. However, an award does not guarantee employment or the opportunity to earn the full amount offered.

What is the Financial Aid Impact?

Income earned through CWS is excluded from the federal financial aid formula (Title IV Exclusion) when you complete the FAFSA. This can help preserve your eligibility for other types of federal aid.

When is the CWS Program Available?

CWS positions are available only during the Fall and Spring semesters at ISU. CWS jobs may start the week before the semester begins and end the last day of the semester of attendance.

How Much Can I Earn?

Your earnings depend on:

Federal Minimum Wage: At least $7.25/hour; some positions may offer more.
Your Award Amount: Determined by financial need, school funding levels, and application timing.

Your total earnings cannot exceed your CWS award unless specific criteria and employer allocations allow for an increase.

Where Can I Work?

On-Campus: You'll work for ISU directly.
Off-Campus: Your employer must be a non-profit or public agency, and the job must serve the public interest.

All employers must be approved by ISU’s Office of Financial Aid through a formal allocation or contract agreement.

How do I find a job?

Students are responsible for securing their own CWS job. Visit the Career Center and search Handshake for available positions.

Important: Not all jobs qualify for CWS. Positions must meet federal and ISU-specific criteria.

What is the hiring process?

Once hired:

On-Campus Employers: Must submit a CWS EPAF (Electronic Personnel Action Form).
Off-Campus Employers: Must complete a Personnel Action Request Form (PARTS) available on ISU’s HR Forms webpage.

What are the new hire requirements?

Complete new hire paperwork on ISU’s New Employee Resources site.
Your Social Security number is required for employment records and federal compliance.

Forms must be submitted to Human Resources before you begin working.

Are there academic requirements?

To maintain CWS eligibility, students must be enrolled at least half-time:

Undergraduate: Minimum 6 credit hours
Graduate/Professional: Minimum 5 credit hours

Work Hours and Payment

Students are paid hourly—never by commission or contract.
On-Campus: Submit hours via online timesheet.
Off-Campus: Submit a DocuSign timecard to ISU Payroll.

Payments are issued bi-weekly, every other Friday.

Can I work as many hours as I want?

Suggested maximum: 20 hours/week during the semester.
During breaks: Up to 40 hours/week permitted.
Federal regulations prohibit working more than:

8 hours/day
40 hours/week

CWS funds do not cover overtime pay.

What if I am running out of my award?

Both student and employer must monitor earnings to avoid exceeding the CWS award. If you’re within $300 of your limit, consult with the employer or the Office of Financial Aid for next steps.

How to request additional CWS funds?

If your award is nearly exhausted:

You may request an increase through the Office of Financial Aid (via phone, email, or in person).
Employers must ensure department allocations support any award increase.

Award increases depend on:

Continued financial need
Availability of federal and institutional funding
Employer’s remaining allocation

What happens to my unused CWS funds?

Students are not obligated to earn the full amount of their CWS award. However:

Unused funds cannot carry over to a new academic year or the summer term.
Unearned funds will not be replaced by other aid types.

Note: In some cases, unearned CWS funds may be transferred to a student loan if loan eligibility exists. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for details.

For further assistance or to explore CWS opportunities, visit the Office of Financial Aid or the Career Center.