Students who qualify for need-based financial assistance at Washington University in St. Louis may be eligible to participate in the Federal Work-Study (FWS) program.
The FWS program provides students with part-time employment during the academic year during which you’ll generally work approximately 5-10 hours per week while classes are in session. You should arrange your schedule with your employer so that your employment does not interfere with academic activities or progress. Your earnings from your campus employment can help you meet ongoing expenses.
Please Note: Your campus employment will not be credited toward your Washington University charges.
Once employment is obtained, the student must complete the appropriate employment documentation with the Brown School Business Office.
Federal Work-Study FAQs
The Brown School offers several resources to help you find employment. You can look for job postings in the Classifieds section of Inside Brown, connect with the university’s Career Center, or search in Handshake. We also encourage you to check with specific faculty or departments for openings. It is your responsibility to find a work-study position.
You and your employer will agree on the exact number of hours you will work each week. During the academic year, it is common to work between 5 and 10 hours per week. It is up to you and your employer to create a schedule that works well for both. Remember that your academic work comes first. Twenty (20) hours per week is the maximum recommended for academic reasons as well as tax reasons. If you work 20 or more hours per week (among all your campus jobs) FICA (Social Security) will be deducted from your wages.
Students employed in the FWS program at the Brown School of Social work have a current pay rate of $15.25. Your employer may agree to pay a higher wage, but these rates are our standard rate, effective July 1,2022.
Students must record their hours into Workday time tracking application each day that they are assigned to work. They can clock-in/out via the Time application on the Workday homepage on a computer or by using the Workday mobile app. You will receive a paycheck every other Friday.
Work-study earnings are taxable income. It is in your best interest that you file a tax return with the Internal Revenue by April 15th of every year.
Your department should notify you when you reach your award maximum, but you can also check your earnings balance with the Brown School Office of Student Financial Services as well. The department has the option of either continuing your assignment and paying you 100% from their departmental budget or ending your assignment altogether. Most departments will make every attempt to keep you working with them provided that you are a good employee and they have the budget funds to pay you.
No, summer work-study is not offered. You cannot carry over any unused earnings to the summer. Work-study must be used in the semester it was awarded.