Federal work study a good option for students in need

Between keeping up grades and trying to enjoy a social life, having a part-time job on top of it all may seem like too much for many students to handle. Juggling all of the responsibilities of living away from home for the first time is overwhelming as is, but it may be one of the best ways to go about paying for college while also learning some serious life skills.

To make part-time employment a more realistic venture for college students, the government offers the federal work study (FWS) program to college students based upon their financial need.

The initiative is offered at roughly 3,400 postsecondary schools across the country that receive government funding to guarantee there are jobs available on campus for students that pay no less than minimum wage.

Schools must submit a Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP) to the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) to become part of the program. Jobs created on campus will be reserved for students who come from middle to lower income backgrounds but display academic excellence while attending school.

In most cases, the DOE will supply roughly 50 percent of the funding to pay a student's wages from a FWS program at a given school, although that figure varies depending on the financial standing of the institution.

Additionally, the kind of job a student takes on through FWS will determine how much of his or her wages are financed through the school or the government. Math or English tutors, for example, could receive 100 percent of their earnings from the DOE. Not only will a student benefit from more money if he or she qualifies for FWS, but he or she may have a more competitive resume as a result.

To learn more about FWS and other means of paying for college, contact one of the experienced financial aid consultants from College Financing Group today.