Get Started With Federal Work-Study at CSUSB
Federal Work-Study (FWS) gives eligible students an opportunity to earn money for educational expenses through part-time employment. Work-Study jobs are available on campus and with participating nonprofit and community organizations.
Along with earning a paycheck, you can gain valuable experience, build professional skills and explore work connected to your academic or career goals.
Receiving a Federal Work-Study award does not automatically place you in a job. You must apply for an eligible position and complete the hiring process before you can begin working.
Federal Work-Study at a Glance
Eligible undergraduate and graduate students with financial need.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) for the current academic year.
Work-Study is earned through employment. You are paid for the hours you work rather than receiving the full award as a financial aid payment.
Eligible positions may be available:
- On campus
- With participating nonprofit organizations
- Through the America Reads/America Counts tutoring program
Students may work up to 20 hours per week, including hours worked in both Federal Work-Study and non-Work-Study student positions.
Check Your Federal Work-Study Award
Before applying for a Federal Work-Study job, check your Financial Aid Award Summary in your MyCoyote Student Center.
Your award summary must show that you received a Federal Work-Study award for the current academic year. If Federal Work-Study is not listed, you may not apply for positions designated as Work-Study jobs.
When applying, you may be asked to provide a screenshot of your Financial Aid Award Summary as proof of your award.
Find a Federal Work-Study Job
Federal Work-Study jobs are posted through PageUp, CSUSB’s online employment system.
You must apply for available positions and complete any required interviews. Receiving a Federal Work-Study award does not guarantee employment.
Complete the Annual Work-Study Tutorial
You must complete and pass the online Federal Work-Study tutorial before completing the hiring process. The tutorial must be completed each academic year.
Before leaving the course assessment, take a screenshot of your results and submit it to your supervisor as proof of completion. The screenshot is used in place of a completion certificate.
For access to the work-study tutorial, contact the Office of Financial Aid.
Managing Your Federal Work-Study
Once you receive Federal Work-Study, there are a few important things to know about keeping your award, working within program guidelines and getting paid. Use the sections below to learn about eligibility, work-hour limits, position changes, reporting your time and managing your earnings.
Students who were not initially awarded Federal Work-Study may request to be added to the waiting list by emailing workstudy@csusb.edu.
Federal Work-Study funding is limited. Joining the waiting list does not guarantee that you will receive an award.
Your Federal Work-Study award is the maximum amount you may earn through the program during the academic year. It is not a lump-sum grant or payment.
You are responsible for monitoring your earnings and letting your supervisor know when you are approaching your award limit. You may not earn more than your Federal Work-Study award.
Your award may be revised during the academic year if you receive other financial aid, including:
- Federal Pell Grants
- Cal Grants
- Outside scholarships
- Fellowships
- Other financial assistance
If your award changes, the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will send you a revised award notification and inform your supervisor. A change to your award may affect:
- The maximum amount you can earn
- The number of hours you may work each week
- How long you can continue working in the position
If your Federal Work-Study award is revised, contact your supervisor immediately so your remaining hours can be reevaluated.
You may hold only one Federal Work-Study position at a time, whether the position is on or off campus.
You may also hold a separate non-Work-Study student position, but you may work no more than 20 total hours per week across both positions.
You may not work during your scheduled class hours.
Your supervisor will establish your work schedule and explain how to report an absence or missed work time.
You may not transfer to another department during the same academic year unless the transfer is approved by the Federal Work-Study lead.
To request a transfer, email workstudy@csusb.edu to schedule a meeting and explain why you want to change departments.
Do not begin working for a new department until your request has been approved. Your Federal Work-Study award will not automatically transfer to the new department.
Transfer requests are reviewed individually. Leaving your current department does not guarantee that you can later return to your original position.
To continue working through Federal Work-Study, you must:
- Remain enrolled at least half time.
- Continue meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements.
- Maintain your eligibility for federal student aid.
- Complete required financial aid documentation.
- Stay within your Federal Work-Study award amount.
- Follow the terms of your employment.
If you drop below half-time enrollment or no longer meet SAP requirements, you cannot continue working under Federal Work-Study.
You can no longer earn Federal Work-Study funds after completing your academic career at CSUSB.
Federal Work-Study students report their hours through the CSU Common Human Resources System (CHRS).
You are responsible for reporting your hours accurately and on time during each pay period. Your supervisor or timekeeper will review and approve the hours you submit.
If you leave your Federal Work-Study position, submit all final hours to your supervisor or timekeeper.
Student employees are generally paid around the 15th of each month.
You may receive your paycheck by:
- Picking it up from Student Financial Services in University Hall, Room 035, or
- Enrolling in direct deposit.
To enroll in direct deposit, contact the Payroll Office in Sierra Hall, Room 103, for a Direct Deposit Authorization form.
Review the current Student Payroll Calendar for pay periods and scheduled paydays.
America Reads/America Counts Tutoring Program
The America Reads/America Counts Program gives eligible students an opportunity to earn Federal Work-Study funds while tutoring children in local schools or community agencies.
Instructional Student Assistants may provide tutoring in:
- Reading for students in kindergarten through sixth grade
- Mathematics for students in kindergarten through ninth grade
- Family literacy
Tutors are placed with participating local school districts or tutoring agencies. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will notify students who are selected for the program.
Participants may work up to 20 hours per week and can gain experience working with students, build professional skills and connect with the local community.
To participate, you must:
- Complete the FAFSA® for the current academic year.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Have a minimum 2.5 GPA.
- Be enrolled at least half time:
- 6 undergraduate units, or
- 3 graduate units.
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.
- Be a U.S. citizen, eligible non-citizen or permanent resident.
- Pass a criminal background check, including:
- Live Scan
- Drug screening
- Tuberculosis test
- Enroll in and pass ESEC 5450.
The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will provide an institutional grant to cover the required background-check expenses.
ESEC 5450 provides training for students who will tutor adolescents and adults with low literacy skills or who may be academically at risk.
Topics include:
- Literacy instruction methods
- Multicultural issues
- Learning disabilities
- Educational software
Students interested in a paid Federal Work-Study position as a reading or mathematics tutor must complete the America Reads/America Counts tutor application.
America Reads/America Counts Hiring Steps
Pass the required criminal background check and complete the online tutorial before finishing the hiring process.
Take a screenshot of your tutorial assessment results before exiting and submit it to your supervisor as proof of completion.
A list of participating school districts and tutoring agencies will be provided during the first class meeting.
Contact a participating school district or tutoring agency to schedule an interview.
The participating employer will begin the request to hire you as a Federal Work-Study Instructional Student Assistant.
You will receive hiring forms through Adobe Sign. You must provide the names and email addresses of your supervisor and administrator.
Forms include:
- Federal Work-Study Work Authorization
- Federal Work-Study Terms of Employment
- Federal Work-Study Routing Slip
- Instructional Student Assistant Contract Letter
- Description of Duties Form
The forms will be sent to your supervisor and administrator for approval.
You will receive a copy of the Federal Work-Study Routing Slip confirming that the process is complete.
You may not begin working until you receive the stamped routing slip from Student Employment.
New hires will also be contacted by Student Employment to submit any additional documents required to confirm employment eligibility.
As a Federal Work-Study student, you are responsible for:
- Providing proof of your Federal Work-Study award when applying for positions.
- Completing the full hiring process and submitting all required documents.
- Waiting for confirmation from Student Employment before beginning work.
- Monitoring your wages so you do not exceed your Federal Work-Study award.
- Notifying your supervisor if your award is revised.
- Remaining enrolled at least half time.
- Maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress.
- Reporting your work hours accurately and on time.
- Following the policies and expectations established by your employer.
- Not working during scheduled class hours.
Work-Study Forms and Information
Find the forms and resources you may need during your Federal Work-Study employment. These include an application for Instructional Student Assistant (ISA) positions, timesheets and a payroll calendar to help you keep track of your hours and pay. You'll also find forms used to manage employment changes, such as rehiring, pay rate adjustments and supervisor or timekeeper updates. Some forms may be completed by your supervisor or department.
Questions?
The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships can help you understand Federal Work-Study eligibility, awards and program requirements.
