Federal Work Study Students

If you have questions about the Federal Work-Study program, contact Marion Zanga, FWS Coordinator, at 919.513.1887 or mrzanga@ncsu.edu. For off-campus community service positions, contact Mr. Dana DiMaio, Financial Aid Office Manager, at 919.515.2496 or dldimaio@ncsu.edu. For work-study earnings, contact Shawn Smith, Assistant Vice Provost, at 919.513.3515 or spsmith2@ncsu.edu.

Students, please contact your financial aid counselor if you have questions about work-study or your financial aid package.

For more information visit https://emas.ncsu.edu/employers/federal-work-study/

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a federally-funded, need-based employment program. Eligible students may earn FWS funds by working part-time with approved FWS employers. Students are awarded FWS based on financial need, availability of FWS funds, and job availability. Employing departments, and the state and federal governments share in the payment of student wages. The Federal Work-Study Program provides valuable experience to students both inside and outside of their field of study. Students are encouraged to work part-time while in school to not only gain work experience but to help contribute to the cost of their education and reduce their loan indebtedness.

Key Program Requirements

• All undergraduate students who qualify for Federal Work-Study will see the FWS award as part of their financial aid package. 
• Students must be making satisfactory academic progress to maintain eligibility.
• Students can only participate in one WORK-STUDY position per term (fall/spring). Students can, however, hold other NON-work-study jobs during the same term. Participants can work each term from the first day of class through the last day of exams.

In accordance with Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program regulations, all employers must establish a job description and pay rate for each FWS position offered.  We aim to ensure pay equity among all FWS and non-FWS students employed by the University. Federal regulations require students be paid at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. The University’s maximum FWS wage is $12.00 per hour. All off -campus community service positions are paid $12.00 per hour.  If employers wish to pay a higher wage, exceptions are granted on a case by case basis.  Hourly wages should ALWAYS be calculated based on job responsibilities and level of experience.

Below are reference points for student wages at NC State University:

The Hiring Process

Once a hiring department has created a work-study job and selected their candidate, two more steps must be completed before the student can begin working:

First, the employer must submit a Voucher to Hire Form (available early August) through Work-Study Central: Log into MyPack Portal > Student Information System > Campus Finances > Work-Study > Work-Study Central. Expand the Common Tasks bar and click the Go button next to Prepare Voucher to Hire Work-Study Student. Upon submission, the Voucher will route via email to the supervisor, payroll specialist, and the student, who must all electronically sign and save the form. The voucher can also be found directly in Work-Study Central under your “Action Items”.

Second, the hiring department is responsible for creating a Job Action Request in the HR system and confirming employment eligibility with federal Form I-9 and E-Verify. The job code for work-study hires is TSW912.