Work Study

See If You Are Eligible #

GENERAL WORK STUDY INFORMATION

The Federal Work-Study (FWS) program is a limited-funding financial aid program. Your FWS eligibility will be determined once your FAFSA has been received and processed.  Students must be in good standing based on the financial aid satisfactory academic progress policies to be considered for the Federal Work-Study (FWS) program.  [Note: Students with disqualified financial aid status are not eligible for Federal Work Study.] 

Eligibility is determined based on the following priority criteria:

• SAI - Student Aid Index [formerly EFC Expected Family Contribution] as determined by the FAFSA app[lication process.  Students with 0000 to -1500 SAI have the highest priority. 
• Demonstrated financial need as indicated by the information provided in your financial aid application (For priority consideration, your FAFSA must be filed no later than April 15th for any coming school year.   
  Learn more about applying for aid
• Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, and/or eligible non-citizen.
• Be enrolled a minimum half-time (6 units) within SDCCD with your main campus [COR] being SD Mesa.
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
• Not be in default on a student loan or owe a grant repayment.
• File Complete date [the day your Financial Aid application and all necessary supporting documents and file requirements are received by SD Mesa Financial Aid Office and posted complete]
• Students who are interested in FWS are welcome to fill out our Federal Work-Study Interest Form. 
  • NOTE: Students who are eligible for Federal Work-Study (FWS) and who were employed during the previous term are given priority for rehire.
  • After returning students are rehired, the Financial Aid Office will review interest form submissions to match students with Federal Work-Study employment opportunities.

To see your Financial Aid status, log in to your student portal, and review your Financial Aid Status.  Generally the FA Office begins reviewing FWS eligible students mid-July, after your SAP is determined from prior year progress [middle to end of July] and aid awards begin to post [such as Pell Grant, FSEOG or Direct Loans]. 

Payments and Employment Duration#

Payment Process:

SDCCD pays its hourly workers monthly [generally the 10th of the month following a month worked].

• Timesheets are submitted directly to the Financial Aid office each month with hours worked signed and verified by the supervisor(s).
• Payment checks are mailed or direct deposted by the 10th of the subsequent month. after verified hours are processed by HR Payroll.
• Direct deposit is an option and is recommended.

Work Duration:

• Federal Work Study (FWS) is usually awarded for the full academic year (9 months).
• Half-time enrollment [6 units minimum] is mandatory throughout this period to remain in the FWS program.
• The job concludes once the allocated financial aid amount is earned or the enrollment period ends.
• Withdrawing from all classes terminates FWS eligibility.
• FWS work hours should never interfere with student class times.  "In general, students are not permitted to work in FWS positions during scheduled class times. Exceptions are permitted if an individual class is cancelled, if the instructor has excused the student from attending for a particular day, and if the student is receiving credit for employment in an internship, externship, or community work-study experience. Any such exemptions must be documented." ... Federal Student Aid Handbook. V6- Chpt 2,  FWS Conditions & Limitations of Employment.
  
• FWS jobs have regular job expectations, and students can be terminated if necessary.

Payment Rate:

• Students are compensated no less than the prevailing minimum wage.
• SDCCD Current FWS Hourly Rate:
  • • • $22.31/hr  [as of January 1, 2024
      • $16.30/hr [as of January 1, 2023]

• FWS differs from other financial aid because students have a specific earning allocation.
• Students submit a monthly timecard reflecting their worked hours to the Financial Aid Office.
• Every month, students receive payment for the preceding month's work.

Find a Position and Get Started! #

1. If you are notified that you are eligible to apply for Federal Work Study, you will first need to visit the Financial Aid Office to receive an employment packet. This packet will include detailed directions for the hiring steps, a Live Scan Fingerprint scan, TB test, and employment forms which you will need to complete and return to the Work Study Coordinator.  Students who participated in the program the previous academic year will receive priority for rehire if eligible.
2. Once you complete all of the hiring steps, you will meet with a Work Study Coordinator who will review your documents, complete I-9 verification and confirm your eligibility. The Work Study Coordinator will help match you with an available position that best suits your skills, experience, and intended course of study.  Community Service options may also have openings.
3. Once a referral is made, you will meet with the area supervisor for an interview. If accepted, you will establish a work schedule including any training time needed.  PLEASE NOTE:  FWS work hours should never interfere with student class times [please see note above under 'Work Duration'.]
4. A start date will be coordinated once your employment packet is complete, submitted to HR and a payroll record is established; after you have completed all hiring steps, been referred to a job, interviewed and been accepted.

Explore Work Study Positions #

While not all of the following positions will be available every year, we encourage you to take a look at the kinds of Work Study opportunities that have been offered in the past and start thinking about where you might see yourself working. [scroll down for direct links to online applications for Federal Work Study student positions]

Department Work Study Request #

To request a Work Study Position for your SD Mesa College on-site department:

1. Download the Department Work Study Request form.
2. Complete the form for a Work Study position in your on-campus department or program, referring to listed classifications.
3. Print and get approval/signature from your Dean or Department Manager.
4. Submit the signed form to the Mesa Financial Aid office's Work Study Coordinator.

Outside agencies with potential community service Work Study positions should contact the Financial Aid Office directly.