Guide to Financial Aid...

Work-Study

Work-Study is money that you earn while enrolled in school that will help pay your educational expenses. The Student Employment program at Southwestern consists of the Federal Work-Study Program, Iowa Work-Study Program and the Institutional Work-Study Program. All programs allow students who are enrolled at least half-time to apply for positions on campus. Students who are hired are allowed to work up to a maximum of 20 hours per week (actual hours are determined by supervisor and department budgets) and get paid minimum wage for those hours worked. Students turn in timesheets at the end of each month and are paid on the 15th of the following month. Employment opportunities are posted in the Financial Aid Office.

Federal Work-Study Program/Iowa Work-Study Program

The Federal and Iowa Work-Study programs utilize federal and state funds, matched with institutional funds, to provide part-time employment for needy students. To be eligible for Federal or State Work-Study, students must have need as determined from the results of their FAFSAs and the students’ cost of attendance.

Community Service is a component of the Federal Work-Study Program. A student who is hired by The Community Service Program will work in local nonprofit, governmental and community-based organizations that are designed to improve the quality of life for community residents, particularly low-income individuals, or to solve particular problems related to their needs. These positions may be located at off-campus worksites.

Institutional Work-Study

The Institutional Work-Study program is administered in the same manner as the Federal Work-Study program; however, students do not have to demonstrate need or complete the FAFSA to qualify for this program. Institutional funds are used to provide part-time employment to students enrolled at least half-time. Any student may apply for a position on-campus; however, students who have Federal Work-Study eligibility will be given priority in filling positions.

All student employees must be able to provide documentation that they are eligible to work in the United States.