Federal Work Study FAQs for Students
How do I know if I’m eligible for FWS?
- Email us at FWS@uky.edu and we can review your eligibility and reinstate that offer, if available to you.
- Work-study is a need-based federal financial aid program, and your eligibility is determined annually based on your FAFSA. Changes to your financial circumstances, enrollment, living arrangements, and other factors can impact your work-study eligibility. If you have questions, contact the Financial Aid Office to speak with a counselor.
What are the benefits of FWS?
Federal Work-Study is a federal grant and doesn’t require students to report the income earned on their next year’s FAFSA. This could help prevent the reduction in any need-based aid (e.g., Pell Grant, Subsidized Loans).
How do I apply for FWS jobs?
You will find Federal Work-Study jobs on the UK Jobs website. Please visit https://ukjobs.uky.edu and create an account. Once you’ve created an account, then you may search for FWS jobs by following the actions below.
- Click on Student Positions from the home screen.
- Select the following criteria: Student under “Type of Position”, Federal Work-Study under “Job Category”, and on or off campus (preference) under “On Campus/Off Campus”.
- The Federal Work-Study jobs will all have an “FWS” prefix.
- Please be sure the jobs you apply to have the “FWS” prefix and the correct term (i.e., Fall 2025).
How do I accept my FWS offer?
Please use the directions below to accept your Federal Work-Study award offer.
- Login to your myUK account by using your linkblue ID (ex. swil0123) and password.
- Select Student Services > Financials > Financial Aid > Aid Year (e.g., 2025-2026).
- Select the View and Accept Awards tab at the top of the page.
- To accept Federal Work-Study, click on Review Amount and Accept for Federal Work-Study. Be sure to confirm your acceptance by clicking the Accept box that appears.
How will I be paid?
You will be paid bi-weekly for hours worked during each pay period. You can view your pay statement online through the myUK portal on the Employee Self-Service (ESS) tab. A new employee may receive a paper check for the first payroll period. Please ask your supervisor about your pay if funds are not direct deposited.
Why isn’t FWS listed on my billing statement?
Work-study is not a financial aid program that is directly applied to tuition charges. Students earn an hourly wage and receive a bi-weekly paycheck for hours worked.
Can I apply for an FWS job even if I’m not eligible?
No. Only students who have Federal Work-Study (FWS) in their financial aid may work and earn FWS wages.
Students can search for student specific jobs by using the "filter" feature at ukjobs.uky.edu. The UK STEPS office may also assist with student employment opportunities. Also, the UK Stuckert Career Center has information for non-work-study job opportunities on their website.
Some departments hire students regardless of work-study eligibility. You may need to contact a department of interest to ask whether they provide employment outside of the work-study program.
I was awarded FWS. Am I required to get an FWS job?
No. Work-study provides students the opportunity of part-time work and to earn money, often to cover things like toiletries, entertainment, and other personal expenses. You are not required or obligated to get a work-study job and can always choose to cover your personal expenses in some other way.
How are FWS jobs different from regular student jobs?
Like other student positions, you will receive a bi-weekly paycheck via direct deposit; however, the funding source is different for work-study employees, with the federal government providing up to 75% of your wages and your employer providing the remaining 25%. This will be set up by your supervisor when they officially hire you for the FWS position. Contact the Financial Aid Office if you have any questions.
What steps do I take to get an FWS job?
- If you are awarded FWS and see it in your Financial Aid Statement, then accept your FWS award. If you don’t see an FWS award in your Financial Aid Statement, then please contact the Financial Aid Office at (info).
- Apply for FWS jobs by …….
- Be sure to check your email and voicemail in case a supervisor contacts you for an interview. Supervisors interview and hire FWS student workers at their discretion.
- Once you are hired, your supervisor will contact the Federal Work-Study Office to contact you with any necessary information via email.