The UK text as a link to the UK homepage.
The Office of Student Financial Aid text as a link to the Student Financial Aid homepage.

Federal Work Study (FWS)

UK campus view

The purpose of FWS is to provide students with part-time employment to help meet college costs and, if possible, provide work experience in a related field. FWS is federally funded and need-based. Your eligibility is determined from information you provide on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Renewal FAFSA. To be eligible, you must show need on your federal need analysis report. The number of hours you may work will depend upon your financial need.

A variety of FWS positions are available. Virtually every college and department uses FWS in some capacity. Positions are available in the libraries (we have 13 campus libraries), laboratories (from anthropology to zoology), student services and academic departments, the Singletary Center, the Johnson Center, and with CATS (Center for Academic Tutoring Services). Off-campus jobs with agencies like the YMCA, Explorium, and LexArts provide opportunities to work directly with the community. To link to job listings: https://ukjobs.uky.edu/.

Community Service Jobs

In addition to on-campus employment, the FWS program also provides students with the opportunity to work in Community Service jobs and the "America Reads" and "Jumpstart" programs. Community Service jobs provide students the opportunity to work off-campus (PDF) with various community agencies dedicated to improving community living, especially for low-income individuals. "America Reads" is a tutoring program promoted by the federal government to help elementary school students improve their reading skills. In addition to applying for financial aid through SFA, students interested in "America Reads" should contact the College of Education Program Coordinator, 257-1961, 107a Taylor Education Bldg. Jumpstart is a mentoring program for pre-school children. Contact Whitney Stevenson, Coordinator, 257-2048.

Earnings through FWS vary with the amount of your FWS award, the pay rate, and the hours you can work. Salaries start at $7.25/hr. and range upward according to your grade level, and/or whether you work in an On or Off-campus job. (Click here for FWS Pay Rate Schedule.) Most students work ten to twenty hours a week. Employers usually prefer students to work three or more consecutive hours depending on their class schedules. You will receive FWS pay via direct deposit every two weeks according to the number of hours worked and submitted to the FWS office. FWS earnings do not directly credit a student's billing statement to pay University charges.

Requirements

To be eligible, you must:

  1. Be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident;
  2. Show need on your FAFSA or Renewal Application need analysis report;
  3. Maintain satisfactory academic progress (click here for RAP standards);
  4. Be enrolled at least half-time as an undergraduate or graduate student; and
  5. Not have defaulted on or owe a refund to any aid program.

How to Apply

To apply, follow the steps on this page to complete the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid. If eligible, your FWS award will be included in your financial aid award package. If you receive an award package without FWS but would like to work through FWS, please contact your financial aid counselor.

Procedures for students who have been awarded Federal Work-Study

  1. Obtain a job packet from the FWS Office, 128 Funkhouser Building.
  2. Review the FWS Job Listing at https://ukjobs.uky.edu/.
  3. Contact any department(s) that interest you to arrange for a job interview(s).
  4. When you are hired, have your supervisor sign the JOB ASSIGNMENT FORM.
  5. Is this the first time you have been employed by the University? Or has it been over a year since you worked at the University? If your response is yes to either question, a national background check must be requested for you before you can begin work or obtain an I-9. Please direct questions to the Work-Study Office at (859) 257-3172 ext. 247. After the FWS Office requests the background check, go to the UK Employment Office at 112 Scovell Hall to obtain an I-9 form and Drug-Free Workplace Certificate. You must take an original Social Security card (not laminated) or birth certificate, and some form of picture identification with you to obtain these forms. A background check request must be submitted before an I-9 is issued. No work can be done without a valid I-9.
  6. Complete the W-4 and K-4 Tax Forms.
  7. Direct Deposit is required for all University employees. Complete the direct deposit authorization agreement and attach a deposit slip or voided check to it. See www.uky.edu/eForms/forms/dirdepos.pdf (PDF) for the form.
  8. Return the following forms to the FWS Office before you start working:
    • A copy of the I-9 and Drug-Free Workplace Certificate
    • Signed Job Assignment Card.
    • Completed W-4 and K-4 Tax Forms
    • Direct Deposit paperwork

There are six areas of explanation regarding the Federal Work Study program at the University of Kentucky. Below are the links to each of these pages with their appropriate details. It is advised that you read carefully EACH area or page to fully understand the process and to answer any of the questions you might have.

  1. Download the Student Information Sheet (PDF)
  2. Federal Work Study Information and Responsibilities (PDF)
  3. Federal Work Study FAQ
  4. Pay Rate Schedule
  5. Timesheet/Pay Schedule (On Campus) (PDF).
    Timesheet/Pay Schedule (Off Campus) (PDF).
  6. FWS available jobs available on OES at https://ukjobs.uky.edu/.
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