The Federal Work-Study Program is funded and regulated by the U.S. Department of Education. Under the program, grants are provided to institutions to create job openings for eligible students. The program is administered on the Cypress College campus by the Financial Aid Office in accordance with federal regulations and North Orange County Community College District Guidelines.
1. Student Eligibility Criteria and Determination of Need
Under Federal regulations, a student may be selected for employment under the Federal Work-Study Program only if he/she meets all of the following requirements.
a. Enrolled in a minimum of 12 units.
b. A U.S. citizen, or in the U.S. for other than a temporary purpose with the intention of becoming a permanent resident.
c. Capable, in the opinion of the institution, of maintaining a good academic standing while employed under the program.
d. In need of earnings from such employment in order to pursue a course of study at the institution.
In determining a student’s financial need, the Financial Aid Office utilizes the FAFSA form submitted by the student. The budget includes tuition (if out-of-state), fees, books, supplies, room and board, transportation and personal expenses. The student’s resources are then subtracted from his/her total budget. The resulting figure is the total amount of aid for which the student is eligible.
2. Notification of Students
Students who have requested Federal Work Study and have been granted funds are sent and award letter indicating the type of award and amount. When given a Federal Work-Study award, the student is assigned a work assignment.
3. The Hiring Process
Employment begins and ends in the Financial Aid Office, students must receive a referral form from the financial aid office before discussing any employment possibilities with any department. Students are NOT to be out on campus soliciting jobs on their own.
4. Rate of Pay, Allocation, Hours
All Federal Work-Study students are paid at a rate consistent with current student assistant wages established by the District and based upon the level of the skills required for each position. Rate increases are determined by the increasingly advanced skills required to perform the job (upon approval by the Financial Aid Office), not by the length of time the student has been employed.
A student’s Work-Study Allocation is for one year beginning July 1st for returning students, the first day of the fall semester for new students, and ending May 30th for all students. Returning or continuing students must be rehired each year and may not continue working after May 30th until they have been awarded or rehired.