Federal Work-Study
Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a need-based program which provides part-time employment opportunities to eligible students to help meet the costs of post-secondary education. Work-study funds may be earned through part-time employment in FWS approved positions either on or off campus. The program is designed to provide students with an opportunity for employment arranged around class schedules. If a student wishes to be considered for this program, a student should indicate this preference on the FAFSA or, if not awarded FWS in the student’s initial award package, the student may complete the FWS application for consideration.
UTEP employs Federal Work-Study students in many areas on and off campus. To be eligible for federal work-study a student must be enrolled at least half-time in the fall and spring semesters and enrolled at least 3 hours in any summer session (i.e. Maymester, Summer I, etc). Students cannot work more than 19 hours a week during any period (term/session) of enrollment.
In order to qualify for Federal Work-Study while enrolled at UTEP, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). UTEP awards funds on a first come first served basis. After your FAFSA is submitted, please complete the Federal Work-Study Application and upload it to financialaid.utep.edu/upload. You will be notified via email of your eligibility. If you wish to receive Federal Work-Study in the 2023-2024 academic year please complete the 2023-2024 Federal Work-Study Application.
To be eligible for federal work-study, a student must meet the following criteria:
- Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Be a degree seeking student
- Be enrolled full-time in the fall and/or spring semester(s) and enrolled in at least 3 hours in any summer session (i.e. Maymester, Summer 1, etc.)
- Be eligible to receive federal or state financial aid
- Meet employment eligibility
- Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress
Students who fall under the following criteria cannot be considered for federal work-study:
- International Students
- Undergraduate students who have already received a degree
- A non-degree seeking undergraduate
- Non-degree graduate students
How do I sign up for federal work-study?
If you are interested in participating in Federal Work-Study, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). UTEP awards funds on a first come, first served basis. After your FAFSA is submitted, please complete the Federal Work-Study Application and submit it via email to Irma Walsh at istewart@utep.edu. You will be notified via email of your eligibility.
Please submit the application for the term you are interested in applying for, the time frames for the appropriate semesters are as follows:
Fall employment is for the period of September 1 – December 31
Spring employment is for the period of January 1 – May 31
Summer employment is for the period of June 1 – August 31
You will earn at least the current federal minimum wage. However, you may earn more depending on the type of work you do and the skill required for the position. Th amount you earn cannot exceed your total Federal Work-Study award.
Your total Federal Work-Study award depends on:
• when you apply,
• level of financial need, and
• funding availability
Can I work as many hours as I want?
No. Students cannot work more than 19 hours a week during any period (term/session) of enrollment. The student may work a maximum of 40 hours when not enrolled at UTEP between long terms (fall/spring), during spring break and summer.*
*Note: Please be aware students who work 40 hours will use up their Federal Work-Study allocation before the end of their assignment period. This would mean the student would not be able to continue working unless "reassigned" by the department as an "hourly" employee. Hourly employees are paid entirely out of a department’s wage account. These departmental wages may impact a student’s financial aid allocation in the future award year because departmental wages are considered income and not "need-based" financial aid, such as Federal Work-Study. All wages earned as an "hourly" employee will be considered in the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as income earned by the student.
Federal School Code: 003661