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Award Terms and Conditions

Federal Work-Study Program Overview

The purpose of the Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) is to stimulate and promote the part-time employment of eligible students who are in need of earnings to help with the cost of post secondary education and to encourage participation in community service activities.  Federal Work-Study positions provide useful important work opportunities and, to the maximum extent practicable, complement each recipient’s educational program. FWS employment may not displace employees, impair existing service contracts, or be offered in any program designed specifically for profit.

Under this program, student employment is funded through a combination of federal funds and funds provided by an eligible employer.  FWS is taxable income paid, by check, directly to the student. Earnings do not reduce your tuition bill. Funds are limited and are offered on a first come, first served basis. The maximum award is contingent upon your program eligibility, the employment obtained and the availability of funds. 

Community service opportunities are also available through the FWS program.  These services are designed to improve the quality of life for community residents and to solve particular problems in specific areas such as health care, childcare, literacy training, social services, housing, recreation, and public safety.

Students may obtain off-campus employment in a non-profit, federal, state or local public agency.  Off-campus employment must be of broad benefit to the population at large in order to be considered in the "public interest".  No work may be performed for profit making organizations or involve any political or religious activity.

A student may only have one FWS position, however, additional employment that is not funded through FWS is allowed. This policy has been implemented to make employment available to as many students as possible, to ensure that students do not exceed the statutory limit of 19 hours of work per week, and to facilitate good management of payroll administration. If you have more than one job, you cannot exceed 19 hours a week in combination of all of the employment. During spring and winter breaks students may be permitted to work up to 37.5 hours per week. Students are not permitted to work during times of official University closings. 

Obtaining Federal Work-Study Employment

Application Procedures:

  1. Apply for federal financial aid and accept the Estimated Federal Work-Study award in SIS.
  2. Obtain a Federal Work-Study Authorization and Appointment Form via SIS on your "To Do List".  This will be made available to you after you matriculate into your program. Email requests may be sent to BSPH_FWS@jh.edu after you enroll. Only the FAO may certify your eligibility for FWS.
  3. Search for an appropriate position. Listings of employment opportunities (including Community Service) can be viewed on the my.jhsph.edu portal.  Access to the portal will be granted when you enroll. FWS funds are limited and students are encouraged to begin this process as soon as possible after they matriculate into their program.
  4. Contact potential employers to arrange an interview.
  5. Confirm a job offer by having the supervisor fill out Section 1 (Appointment Request) of your FWS Authorization and Appointment Form.
  6. Return the signed (section 2) and completed FWS Authorization and Appointment Form to the FAO.
  7. If funds are available, FAO will send copies of the fully completed FWS Authorization and Appointment Form to both the student and supervisor to confirm terms of employment.
  8. Complete the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Process. Students will receive detailed instructions at the same time when terms of employment are confirmed.
  9. Student will receive notification regarding documents needed for payroll processing.

Student Responsibilities

Upon acceptance of a FWS position, it is the student’s responsibility to:

  1. Maintain employment in only one FWS position.
  2. Arrange a work schedule with the employer.
  3. Adhere to terms of employment.
  4. Submit employer signed time records of your hours worked on at least a semi-monthly basis.
  5. Monitor cumulative earnings and designated employment dates.
  6. Notify the departmental administrator, the job supervisor, and the FAO if, for any reason, you are unable to maintain the work schedule.
  7. Give adequate notice to the job supervisor and the FAO if job cessation is likely.
  8. Notify the FAO of any change in registration status.