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Work Study

The Federal Work-Study (FWS) program allows students the opportunity to earn a portion of their college expenses through part-time employment during the school year.  Employment opportunities are available in many different departments and offices on campus.  

Funds are not received unless the student works and earns them. Awarding of FWS funds is extremely limited due to the small amount of funds received each year. In general, FWS awards can range up to a maximum of $5,000 per school year (summer/fall/spring semesters).  Students must apply every academic year in order to continue to be considered for FWS. Federal Work Study does not automatically rollover to the following year.

The amount of earning you make depends on your financial need, the amount of other aid you receive, and the availability of FWS funds. The amount you earn cannot exceed your total FWS award. When assigning work hours, your supervisor will consider your award amount, your class schedule, and your academic progress. Unlike the PELL Grant, which provides funds to every eligible student, the campus-based programs provide a certain amount of funds for each participating school to administer each year. When all the money for the FWS program has been allocated, no additional awards can be made.   

It is the student's responsibility to secure a federal work study position.  Students who are able to secure a position will be required to complete an AHC student employment packet and meet all eligibility requirements prior to working. 

Students are paid an hourly wage and are allocated a certain number of hours that can be worked based on the amount of the award.  As work on the job is completed, a monthly time sheet is submitted for the hours worked just as a regular job.  Once a month, you will receive a paycheck for the hours worked for the previous month. 

Students may work until their FWS award is earned in full, until FWS funds are depleted, until the end of the spring semester, the student has been dismissed from their supervisor, is not maintaining required number of units, is not meeting SAP status, or the position is no longer needed, whichever occurs first. 

At that time, the Federal Work Study job ends.  Students wishing to receive FWS for the following year must follow the process below to ensure continued eligibility. 

In order to be considered for Federal Work Study, students must comply with the following requirements: 

  1. Complete and submit your 2023-2024 FAFSA
  2. Complete all financial aid requirements. Financial aid requirements can be viewed by logging into your myHancock portal; scroll to “Financial Aid” and click “View My Financial Aid”; choose Summer 2023 to Spring 2024 and your requirements will display.
  3. Be in good Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) status and maintain a good SAP status during employment. 
  4. Be enrolled and maintain enrollment in a minimum of 6.0 units during employment. 
  5. Have a minimum unmet need of $5,000 for the academic year. 
  6. Contact the Financial Aid office and ask for a Federal Work Study request form. If you are eligible for Federal Work Study, you will be issued a form to complete.
  7. Submit your completed form to the Financial Aid office.
  8. You will be notified via email to your myHancock student email account in approximately 2-3 weeks regarding the status of your Federal Work Study request and the next steps.
  9. If approved for Federal Work Study, you should check the open positions that are listed on the following website: https://hancockcollege.jobspeaker.com/#/jobboard/jobs
  10. Once you have identified a Federal Work Study position that you will be applying for and/or have been offered, please print a copy of your award letter that indicates that you have been awarded FWS for the 2023-2024 year and provide it to your new supervisor as part of your hiring documentation.