Federal Work Study (FWS) lets you work part-time and earn at least federal minimum wage to help pay for your education expenses. To get a work study job start with your campus career development office to identify jobs.
Award: No minimum or maximum but cannot exceed your financial need, subject to funds available
Eligibility determination
FWS is a need-based program. The financial aid office is responsible for the initial awarding of Federal Work Study to eligible students. This opportunity is awarded to students who:
- Submit a FAFSA
- Demonstrate financial need
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress
- Are a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or are lawfully present in the U.S.
- Work with campus financial aid and student employment services offices to complete the MCC job application and related steps
Additional information may be found on the Federal Student Aid website.
Campus application procedures
- Once you have a Federal Work Study award, go to Career Central to find and apply for a job
- Work with the student employment services office to complete a job application or get help with questions.
- Your application will be submitted to departments with openings for which you indicate interest. Supervisors will arrange a job interview for all potential employees.
- Prepare for the interview with a copy of your class schedule, your previous work history or resume' and remember to dress appropriately for the position.
- When you have been hired you must complete all federal and state employment forms. This paperwork must be complete before you can begin work.
- The supervisor will work out the details of establishing working hours and submitting payroll timesheets and pay dates.
Note: Your eligibility may increase, decrease or be eliminated, depending upon any changes to your financial aid and/or enrollment status.
Work schedule
No work study hours may be scheduled or worked during a student's scheduled class period. The work schedule and number of hours a student works will vary depending on the needs of the department, the student's class schedule and the student's remaining eligibility. Students are never allowed to work during scheduled class time and may not work more than 19.50 hours in a week.
Payment for work performed
Students employed through the Federal Work Study program must be paid for all hours worked. The rate of pay begins at the State of Missouri's minimum wage.
Pay dates occur every other Friday, unless the date falls on a holiday or school break, in which case the pay date will be the day immediately preceding the scheduled holiday or break.
Supervisors will discuss the dates timesheets are due after you are hired.
Job descriptions
Students can view job descriptions in the student employment services office on campus.
Summer employment
Students may work during the summer session as long as they are enrolled in eligible coursework at MCC and have met all other eligibility requirements for FWS.
Community service jobs
Employment is available in certain positions that qualify as community service work. These positions are paid $1.00 more per hour to compensate for traveling off campus to and from work. Students should follow the same application steps as for other work study jobs.