FWS Program Student Information

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is part of your financial aid package and does not affect grant aid. It allows you to earn part of your financial aid by working on or off campus, typically at least at the state minimum wage, with many jobs offering higher rates.

Your FWS award is paid as a paycheck based on hours worked, similar to a regular job. Each month, submit time sheets for your hours and receive a paycheck for the previous month's work. These earnings count toward your FWS award until it's fully earned, so it's important to track them to stay within your awarded amount.

FWS awards can vary, often reaching up to $6,000 per academic year. This program not only helps fund your education but also provides valuable work experience.

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is part of your financial aid package. Your total financial aid cannot exceed your Cost of Attendance (COA). Grant aid remains unaffected when you receive FWS, but in most cases, student loan offers may be reduced or canceled to stay within your COA. This ensures all available aid coordinates to cover your educational expenses.

One advantage of a FWS job is that the earnings you receive do not count as income reported on future FAFSA forms. Instead, CSUN reports the total gross amount of all FWS earnings for each student during any part of the calendar year directly and without requiring action from you on your FAFSA. This reporting helps accurately assess financial aid and does not affect your eligibility for future federal aid.

To qualify for Federal Work-Study (FWS) at CSUN, the following criteria must be met:

• Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): by May 2nd.
• Meet the qualifying Student Aid Index (SAI): SAI is equal or less than zero. The SAI is determined by the FAFSA.
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress: Meet CSUN's academic standards for satisfactory progress.
• Enrollment Status: Be enrolled at least half-time (6 units for undergraduate; 4 units for graduate) during any semester of employment.
• Completion of FWS Confirmation Survey: FWS participants must complete the online FWS Student confirmation survey annually.

Once we receive and review your financial aid application, and if your FAFSA is identified as eligible for a FWS award, you will receive an email in July confirming your eligibility. Students are responsible for actively searching for, applying to, and completing the interview and hiring process with an authorized FWS employer to ensure that the FWS award is added to your Financial Aid package.

Federal Work-Study (FWS) jobs differ from regular part-time jobs because earnings are awarded through the FAFSA based on financial need. To qualify for FWS, students must complete the FAFSA and meet eligibility criteria. Part-time jobs, on the other hand, are available to all students who meet the job requirements. 

FWS funds are limited, so early application is recommended. These funds do not cover summer employment. Wages are funded by both government and CSUN contributions. Unlike tuition, FWS earnings are paid directly to students, offering flexibility to cover expenses. Eligibility is required, but securing a position involves applying and interviewing, as positions aren't guaranteed solely by eligibility. 

The FWS Program goal is to promote part-time employment, minimize loan debt, and reduce student loan reliance by earning a FWS award through an authorized job, without impacting future federal financial aid eligibility.

There are a variety of jobs available through the Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program. 

On-Campus Department, offices and programs offer jobs such as: office clerical, library, technical, lab assistant, research projects, recreational, facilities, and public safety just to name a few. Some jobs are for students who have never held a job, and others require experience, education, or a skill in a particular field or major. 

Off-Campus jobs offer students the opportunity to work for local schools and other community non-profit agencies and organizations, providing direct service to their clientele.

Handshake, is the job posting platform used at CSUN where students can search and apply for all FWS jobs and most non-FWS Student Assistant positions.

If you are new to Handshake, you will need to register and complete a profile. Your profile information is important because employers often use that information in searching for candidates who meet certain job qualifications.

Step 1: https://csun.joinhandshake.com/login.

Step 2: Select the California State University, Northridge blue button. You will log in using your CSUN portal username and password. You will be prompted to fill out your career interests profile, making your job search personalized and unique.

Step 3: From the homepage, start by clicking on Jobs in the top menu bar. You will be taken to the JobSearch page.

Step 4: In the jobs section, there are various options available to view available jobs and narrow your search.

Step 5: To search for FWS jobs, CHECK the Work Study box by clicking the blue “Filters” button. Use this filter to specifically search for a FWS job.

Step 6: Here you will see a list of all Work Study positions.

Once you find a job you would like to apply to:

• Click on the job title and it will bring you to the full job description.
• Click the green “Apply” button on the right of the screen.
• Fill in all necessary information and upload all required documents (resume, cover letter, etc.) and click the green “Submit Application” button.

Handshake quick-training videos:

• Video: Search for, Save, and Apply to Jobs in Handshake
• Video: How to Upload a Document

If you are unable to access Handshake using your CSUN login credentials, please contact work.study@csun.edu. Be sure to include your name and CSUN ID number in the email for assistance.

To receive a FWS Award, it is your responsibility to:

• Complete the FWS Confirmation Survey
• Find an authorized FWS job through the job database, Handshake 

When you are hired in a FWS job, it is your responsibility to:

• Complete the necessary hiring forms.
• Correctly report the hours you work.
• Keep track of your fall semester earnings to ensure you don't earn more than half of your academic year award in the fall semester.
• Carefully monitor your earnings so you do not exceed your award for the academic year.
• Remain enrolled at least halftime while employed as a work-study student. 

You are Expected to:

Before work

• Show up to your scheduled shift
• Show up to work on time
• Groomed appropriately
• Running late, notify your supervisor

During work

• Ready to focus on tasks
• A good fit for the position
• Understands that this is a job
• Need to take the day off, ask permission (study, day off)

• 10-15 hours a week. Maximum is 20 hours per week, in all student positions combined.
• After 4 consecutive hours of work, you take a 15 minute break.
• After 5 or more consecutive hours of work, you must take a 30 minute meal break.
• Volunteering to perform work that you have previously been paid for is not allowed.

• Income earned in your FWS job is taxable like any other income.
• Pay Day - a "pay check" it's called a Pay Warrant.
• FWS & Student Assistant's workers, are paid on the 15th on each month.
• Off-Campus and some On-Campus jobs have different pay dates.
• Ask your Employer for a copy of the payroll calendar.

**You are encourage to sign up for Direct Deposit. You will still get a monthly warrant statement. Your money is sent directly to your bank account electronically**.

To confirm your participation interest in the program, fill out the confirmation survey. For questions, please email us at work.study@csun.edu