Financial Aid: Work Study Programs
If you want to get a college degree but are wondering how to finance your education, you should know that there are more options than grants and loans. There's also a Federal Work Study (FWS) Program that can help you pay for college. Federal Work-Study allocations are given to eligible institutions for the purpose of providing part-time employment to undergraduate and graduate students while they go to school.  The FWS Program provides funds that are earned through part-time employment to help students finance their college education. Students can receive FWS funds at many colleges and universities. And participating institutions have a lot of flexibility in determining the amount of FWS awards to provide to their students. Financial need is determined by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) using a standard formula to evaluate the financial information reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and to determine the expected family contribution (EFC). The EFC is the sum of a percentage of net income (after subtracting allowances for basic living expenses) and a percentage of net assets. Different assessment rates and allowances are used for dependent students, independent students without dependents, and independent students with dependents. The U.S. DOE encourages schools to use FWS Program funds to promote community service. Institutions must use at least 7 percent of their Work-Study allocation to support students working in community service jobs, including reading or math tutors for school children, or literacy tutors in family literacy projects. Students receive FWS awards from participating institutions after filling out the FAFSA to determine their financial need. Students can find WSF jobs with the school itself; a federal, state, or local public agency; a private nonprofit organization; or a private for-profit company. To fill out the FAFSA, you will need the following information and documents: - Your Social Security Number
- Your driver's license (if any)
- Your 2007 W-2 Forms and other records of money earned
- Your (and, if you're married, your spouse's) most recent Federal Income Tax Return
- Your Parents' 2007 Federal Income Tax return (if you are a dependent student)
- Your 2007 untaxed income records
- Your current bank statements
- Your current business and investment information
- Your alien registration or permanent resident card (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
Before submitting your application, make sure to verify that all information is correct and nothing is missing. If you qualify, the money you make from your work study program will help you finance your criminal justice or paralegal education. And remember: you can apply even if you do your criminal justice or paralegal degree online. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Related Article: (Source: http://www.ed.gov/programs/fws/index.html) |
