Federal Work Study Program
Federal Work-Study (FWS) provides part-time jobs for students with financial need allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses.
The program encourages community service work and work related to the student's course of study. Eligibility is based on your FAFSA results.
If Federal Work Study listed as part of your financial aid offer. Here are the steps you need to complete:
- Accept your financial aid offer of FWS in your NEST
- Submit your FWS Agreement
- Apply for your preferred job(s) on Handshake (for new students or students seeking reassignment)
- Complete the On-line Federal Employment Eligibility Verification form (I-9) Creighton's code is 12603. For "location" choose "CU Student Employee"
- Report in person to the Student Employment Office to have your I-9 verified
- Complete the Federal Work Study Confidentiality Statement and return to the Student Employment Office.
When you report to our office, please bring your ORIGINAL documents for witnessing by our staff- no photocopies, faxes or emails can be accepted. A complete list of acceptable documents can be found here. Here are the commonly accepted documents along with a valid photo ID:
- Original Social Security card
- OR U.S. Birth Certificate (certified copy with raised seal)
- OR U.S. Passport
You will receive your FWS job assignment via your Creighton email when you have completed this process.
FAQ
Students must accept the offer of FWS in their NEST and complete an online FWS agreement.
New FWS students or those seeking a new assignment can view an apply for positions here.
Hiring letters are sent via email to students who have turned in all required financial aid documents.
All students must complete the federal I-9 process BEFORE their first day of work.
Job decisions are made for the entire academic year. Transfers are not considered unless the student is unable to perform the work, or his/her class schedule does not allow for sufficient work hours. Transfers are made only with the approval of the current employing department and the Student Employment Office. Each successive year, FWS students can indicate on their FWS agreement if they wish to return to their prior employing department, or request to apply for a new position.
FWS funds earned are not a credit against the student’s tuition bill. He/she must work for the funds to be realized. All earnings are considered taxable income and must be reported on the student's tax return. One of the benefits of earning income through a federal work-study position is that those earnings do not count against you when you complete the next year’s FAFSA.
Most students average 8-10 hours of work per week, depending on the amount of the FWS award. FWS students are hired to specific jobs on campus through the Student Employment Office and are paid every two weeks based on the number of hours they have worked in that pay period. Students are responsible for recording their hours accurately in MyHR by the last day of the pay period. Students are encouraged to sign up for direct deposit. Students may be eligible to work over breaks. Please contact the Student Employment Office to determine your student’s eligibility.
In accepting a FWS job assignment, students are agreeing to assume a normal work relationship with their supervisor. Students may be terminated from their FWS jobs if they fail to maintain satisfactory job performance and attendance. FWS does not allow "study time" on the job.
Hourly pay rates for the Federal Work Study program follow the Student Employment Wage Structure.
FWS pay raises, are generally initiated at the beginning of each Fall semester.
View Your FWS Earnings to Date
It is always a good idea to know where you stand with your FWS award amount, earnings to date and remaining balance.
Your supervisor gets your earnings reports every payperiod and will share that information with you upon request.
Federal Work Study students can view their earnings to date on the web. Go to your NEST web page, financial aid section. Click "Award Information" then "Award History" for current academic year. Your FWS earnings to date will be in the paid column.
You can also view your paystubs online.
Questions?
Creighton University Student Employment Office
2500 California Plaza
Harper Center, Room 1100
Omaha, NE 68178
1-800-282-5835
Local: 402-280-2408
Fax: 402-280-2895
