Financial Aid

Federal Work Study and Regular Campus Employment

Catholic University offers both Federal Work Study (FWS) and Regular Payroll to its students. If you were not offered Federal Work Study on your Financial Aid Notification (FAN) Letter and are interested in working on campus, please contact the Office of Career Services or visit their Web site for a listing of available non-work study positions positions. A student is allowed to work a maximum number of 19 hours per week, according to a policy set by the Office of Human Resources.

The Federal Work Study program gives students the opportunity to earn money by working part-time during the school year. The university may offer FWS to students as part of their financial aid package. Unlike other programs, FWS does not pay towards institution charges and cannot be used to reduce an outstanding balance. The student will be paid twice a month for their hours worked.

Students will interview with campus employers for both FWS and Regular Payroll jobs during the Job Fair held during the first week of school. Additional jobs may become available throughout the year.

IMPORTANT: Federal Work Study authorizations will be available for student pick-up starting with the Campus Job Fair and will continue to be avialable until the lst official day of the drop/add period as stated in the University's catalog. Authorizations that are not picked up by the end of the drop/add period may be canceled and may not be reinstated. Authorizations that are not completed and returned to the Office of Career Services by September 15th will be canceled and may not be reinstated. Students that defer their work-study until the spring semester have until the end of the spring drop/add period to complete their authorizations. Nay deferred spring authorizations not completed and returned to the Office of Career Services by the end of the Spring Drop/Add period may be canceled without reinstatement.

Federal Work Study FAQ

How is Federal Work Study Awarded?

Federal Work Study is awarded based on the federal calculated need of the student and the availability of funds when the student applies. No separate application is required; the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is all that is needed. Federal Work Study is offered on a yearly basis for the fall and following spring terms. Receiving Federal Work Study one year is not a guarantee that you will receive it the following year. The student must complete the FAFSA each year to be considered. Funding for this program is limited so awards are made on a first-come first-serve basis.

Why was I not offered Federal Work Study?

If a student is not awarded FWS on his/her Aid Notification Letter it is either because he/she does not meet the Federal Title IV requirements or did not complete the application process before the university allocated all its available FWS funds. Catholic University does offer many positions to student interested in working on-campus, which are non-work study. Career Services can provide a listing of non-work study positions as well as assistance in other work related issues. Their telephone number is (202)-319-5623 or visit Office of Career Services, for online job listings.

How, when and how much will I be paid?

Undergraduate students receive semi-monthly paychecks as they work. Graduates can be paid hourly or by monthly stipend. Unlike other aid programs that are credit to the students bill, Federal Work Study does not defer payment of institution charges and should not be used to reduce an outstanding balance.

All jobs available are on campus with the exception of the D.C. Reads Program that is administered by Campus Ministry and Community Service performed by the Graduate School of Social Work. Graduate stipend information is available on the Financial Aid "Graduate" web page. The hourly rate ranges from $8.25 to $12.50 per hour, depending on the type of work involved. The majority of on campus jobs start at $7.00 and $9.00 per hour.

Federal Work Study earnings are not exempt from taxation. You must claim Federal Work Study earnings on your federal and state income tax. Federal Work Study earnings are excludable from income on the FAFSA as a Worksheet C adjustment.

How do I find a position?

All questions relating to job offerings, positions availability, wages and hours should be directed to the Office of Career Services by phone at (202)-319-5623 or visit Office of Career Service's, for online job listings.