Federal Work-Study: Jobs, Pay, and Eligibility

Federal work-study is a financial aid program that helps students with financial need earn money through part-time jobs. If you qualify, you can use your earnings to help pay for college costs, such as tuition, books, food, and other everyday expenses. According to Sallie Mae’s 2025 How America Pays for College report, nearly 20% of students participated in work-study and earned an average of $2,122 during the school year.

Here’s what to know about the federal work-study program, including how it works, who qualifies, what kinds of jobs are available, and how you get paid.

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What is the federal work-study program?

Federal work-study is a need-based financial aid program that helps undergraduate and graduate students earn money through part-time jobs.

Money earned from work-study is not applied to your tuition bill upfront like grant or scholarship funds. You earn the funds by working an eligible job, and you can use the money to help pay for everyday college expenses, such as books, meals, transportation, and other personal costs.

Work-study jobs can be on or off-campus. Some may relate to your major or career goals, while others may involve community service or work with a public agency or nonprofit organization.

Who qualifies for work-study?

You may qualify for work-study if you’re an undergraduate or graduate with demonstrated financial need. Your eligibility is based on a few factors:

• Your financial need, determined by family size, household income, and assets held by you, your parents, or your spouse
• Your school’s available work-study funding
• Whether you received work-study in a previous year

To find out if you qualify, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Work-study funds are limited, so it’s best to complete the FAFSA as early as possible. You’ll need to submit the FAFSA each academic year you want to be considered for federal student aid.

Types of work-study jobs

Work-study jobs vary by school. Common options include research assistant, library assistant, tutor, or community service roles.

Most schools don't automatically place students in work-study jobs. Instead, you'll typically need to find openings, apply, and interview on your own.

Keep in mind that receiving a work-study award doesn’t guarantee you a job. Funds and positions are limited, so it’s best to start the job search early.

How much can I earn?

If work-study is part of your financial aid package, the total amount you can earn will be capped at a predetermined amount. Your actual earnings depend on your hourly rate and how many hours you work. Work-study jobs must pay at least the federal minimum wage, though some pay more depending on the role, required skills, and your state’s minimum wage.

Undergraduate students are paid hourly, while graduate students may earn either an hourly wage or a salary. You'll be paid at least monthly, either by direct deposit or paycheck.

Benefits of participating in work-study

Though it's not “free money” like grants or scholarships, work-study is a valuable type of aid. The benefits of work-study jobs include:

• Develop skills and experience: The federal work-study program can help you land a job, gain experience, and develop professional and time-management skills, which is a bonus if you have little to no work experience. After graduation, this can set you apart in your job search.
• Reduce reliance on student loans: One of the primary benefits of work-study jobs is that they reduce your reliance on student loans by providing employment opportunities and income. The money you earn may not be a ton, but it can cover small day-to-day expenses, which could allow you to borrow less. The lower the amount you borrow, the more you'll save in interest.
• Doesn't affect financial aid: One of the best benefits of work-study jobs is that the income you earn won't impact your eligibility for financial aid in future years.
• Convenient and flexible: Employers participating in the work-study program may be more flexible with your hours. Plus, you may find a job on your school's campus, which can make juggling school and work easier.
• Part-time work: To ensure you're not overextended while you're in school, all work-study jobs are part-time. How many hours you're offered depends on your school and role, but you could get around 15 to 20 hours per week.

How work-study affects your financial aid

While you should report the income from work-study on the FAFSA, the income you earn through the work-study program isn't included in your overall income that determines your aid. In other words, your work-study earnings won't be a factor in calculating your financial aid for the following year.

From a tax standpoint, the funds you earn through work-study are taxable at the federal and state levels. However, FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare) aren't withheld while you're in school and working, as there's a student exception according to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Work-study vs. traditional part-time jobs

Work-study jobs have some limitations in that there are only so many jobs, and there are funding limits. You could secure a traditional part-time job, but keep in mind that the money you earn through a part-time job is considered regular income, which could affect how much financial aid you receive in future academic years.

You may have more options and potentially earn more with a traditional part-time job, but it might reduce your eligibility for financial aid. When evaluating your job prospects while in school, consider how they can impact your aid, how much you can earn, the flexibility, and if they're related to your degree.