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Federal Work-Study Student Information

Eligibility Requirements

  1. Must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the current award year
  2. Must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress standards
  3. Must be enrolled in at least half-time. (6 units undergraduate; 4 units graduate) per semester
  4. Must have a federal need of at least $2,000
  5. Submit all requested financial aid documentation from your To-Do-List by the due date
  6. Must have an official award notification from the Financial Aid Office
  7. Must be a U.S. citizen, eligible non-citizen, or permanent resident

Hiring Instructions for On Campus Placement 

Students must be awarded Federal Work-Study (FWS). Students not awarded FWS may apply to the Waiting List at workstudy@csusb.edu.

NOTE: Program funding is limited, applying through the FWS Waiting List does not guarantee a FWS award.

Step 1:  To search for available FWS positions please visit the Career Center Handshake website

https://www.csusb.edu/node/114321Contact prospective employer to arrange an interview.

NOTE:  If selected for a FWS job, some positions require a complete a background check prior to employment

Step 3:  Students are required to complete and pass the on-line tutorial prior to completing the hiring process every year. Register for the tutorial. 

NOTE: Before exiting the course assessment, please take a screenshot of your assessment results (in lieu of the certificate of completion) and submit to your supervisor for proof of completion.

Step 4:  The supervisor will initiate the request to hire a FWS student

Step 5: The student will receive the hiring forms via adobe sign to begin the hiring process.  Students will need to provide the names and emails of their supervisor and administrator to complete the process.  The hiring forms include the following:

  • FWS Work-Authorization
  • FWS Terms of Employment
  • FWS Routing Slip

Students participating in the ISA program will also receive the following hiring forms:

  • ISA Contract Letter
  • Description of Duties Form

After the student completes and signs the FWS hiring forms they will be forward to the supervisor and administrator for approval.  Students will receive a copy of the FWS Routing Slip that will serve as confirmation that the hiring process has been completed.  Students may not begin working until they receive the stamped routing slip from Student Employment.

  • New FWS hires will be contacted by Student Employment to submit additional hiring forms to confirm their eligibility to work.
  • Un-laminated social security card
  • State driver's license, ID or Coyote One Card
  • Confidentiality Access and Compliance Form

FWS Waiting List 

Students not awarded FWS may be added to the FWS Waiting List. Please email us at workstudy@csusb.edu.

NOTE: Program funding is limited, applying through the FWS Waiting List does not guarantee a FWS award.  

Finding a FWS Job 

To search for available work study positions please visit the Career Center Handshake website.

Register Here for FWS Online Tutorial 

You are required to complete and pass the on-line tutorial prior to completing the hiring process every year. Register for the tutorial.

NOTE: Before exiting the course assessment, please take a screenshot of your assessment results (in lieu of the certificate of completion) and submit to your supervisor for proof of completion.

FWS Timesheet Instructions 

You are responsible for reporting your time accurately and submitting your timesheet on time each month to your supervisor.  Submit your timesheet here.

Student Payroll Calendar 

Student employees are paid around the 15th of each month. Monthly paychecks will be available for pick-up at the Student Financial Services UH-035 or student paychecks can be directly deposited to the student's bank account. Please visit the Payroll office at SH-103 to request a Direct Deposit authorization form to enroll in direct deposit.  The 2024 Student Payroll Calendar lists the pay periods and paydays during the current academic year.

Students who separate from the work-study program must submit final hours to their supervisor/timekeeper.

Student’s Responsibility 

  1. Students are required to provide a copy of their award summary to show proof of a FWS award when submitting applications. If an award is not included in your award summary, you cannot apply for FWS jobs. Award summaries can be obtained on your student portal, within your MyCoyote under Financial Aid.
  2. Complete the hiring process with your employer ensuring that all required documents have been provided to Student Employment. Students will receive a copy of the FWS Routing Slip that will serve as confirmation that the hiring process has been completed, please provide the FWS Routing Slip to your supervisor. You may not begin working until you have completed the entire process. You will receive notification from Student Employment when you have been hired into the system.
  3. You are responsible for monitoring your FWS wages and notifying your FWS supervisor when you are close to reaching your FWS allocation. You may not earn more than your FWS award amount. If your FWS award is revised, you must notify your FWS supervisor immediately.
  4. Maintain at least half-time units per semester, at all times. If you drop below the half-time unit requirement, you cannot continue to be employed under FWS regulations.
  5. For continued participation in the FWS program, you must meet the standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). If you fail to meet SAP you cannot continue to be employed under FWS regulations.

FWS – Terms and Conditions 

You can only be employed in one FWS position on/off campus at a time. Should you wish to obtain multiple employment on campus, it would need to be through a non-FWS student position.

NOTE: If employed in both a FWS position and a non-FWS position students may still only work a maximum of 20 hours per week between both positions.

You cannot transfer departments during the same academic year unless approved by the FWS Lead. Please send an email to workstudy@csusb.edu to set up a meeting with the FWS Lead to discuss the reason why you want to transfer. DO NOT begin employment with a new department if your request has not been approved, your FWS will not follow you to the new department. Transfer request will be on a case-by-case basis after review/discussion with FWS Lead. Transferring out of your current department does not guarantee transfer back to original department.

You can no longer earn FWS funds after you have completed your academic career at CSUSB.