Federal Work Study

To be eligible for FWS, a student must meet the following criteria:

• Have completed the FAFSA for the appropriate academic year.
• Have submitted all financial aid requirements.
• Be enrolled at least halftime (usually at least 3.0 credits, but there are exceptions).
• Be matriculated in a degree-seeking program.
• Demonstrate financial need.
• Have room in their cost of attendance (AKA financial aid budget) for the appropriate academic year.
  • If a student is borrowing student loans up to their maximum cost of attendance, the student will have the option of reducing a loan to make room for a FWS award.

Contact your respective financial aid office to inquire about your eligibility for FWS.

All students must abide by the following terms & conditions when working a FWS position at PCOM:

First Day of Work

• New incoming students may not begin working until their first day of classes.
• After Step 3 in the FWS application process is complete, the student must wait about two weeks for processing to finalize. The student and their supervisor will receive a FWS Authorization Email that will show the date the student can begin working. Students may not begin working until the date listed in the FWS Authorization Email.

Last Day of Work

• Graduating students may not work after the last scheduled day of enrollment. You are considered no longer enrolled.
• Students taking a Leave of Absence may not work after their last day of class.

Federal Work Study Hours

• Students may not exceed 8 hours per day.
• Students may work up to, but cannot exceed, 20 hours per week while enrolled in classes.
• Returning students not enrolled for summer courses may work up to, but cannot exceed, 30 hours per week over the summer term.
  • If a student is not enrolled in summer classes they must be registered for the fall term to be eligible to work over the summer.

Timekeeping

• Students must swipe in and out using PCOM's Kronos timekeeping stations around campus in order to keep track of hours and be paid. Time stamping on a computer is not permitted.
• If a student misses a swipe, the student must contact their department supervisor or timekeeper on the same day!
  • If a missed swipe is not resolved by the last day of the appropriate payroll, the student will be in jeopardy of losing their work study eligibility.
• Students are responsible for managing their FWS hours and may not work in excess of their FWS award as part of their financial aid package.
  • Working in excess of the FWS award or the weekly hour limits listed above could result in reduction of a student's federal student loans and/or PCOM scholarships.
• If a student works five or more hours in a work day they will automatically be deducted a 30-minute lunch period by PCOM's Kronos timekeeping software.

Miscellaneous

• Students may only work in one FWS position at a time.
• Students may NOT work during class time.
• Students may NOT work at home.
• Students may NOT work off campus (unless at a community service site as approved by the Financial Aid Office).
• Research Assistant students may work on their school thesis during work hours if their research pertains to their thesis.
• Cases of dishonesty (such as a student clocking in but not working) will be brought to the respective department for disciplinary action.

Depending on a student’s eligibility, the usual FWS award is $5,400 for the academic year. Most positions pay $15 per hour. This works out to be about 10 hours per week over three terms.

Students will be paid biweekly via direct deposit. Students must swipe in and out of PCOM’s Kronos timekeeping stations in order to keep track of hours and be paid.

Students are responsible for managing their FWS hours and may not work in excess of their FWS award as part of their financial aid package. Working in excess of the FWS award could result in reduction of a student's federal student loans and/or PCOM scholarships.

Step 1: Find a Job

It is the student’s responsibility to seek out and apply for a FWS job by contacting supervisors/departments around campus. Visit the FWS Job Listing page to view potential job positions on the Pennsylvania and Georgia campuses. Schedule a time to meet with the job's department supervisor to interview for the position and discuss responsibilities, tasks, and a schedule.

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Step 2: Complete Paperwork

After a student has been hired for a work study position, the student must complete the below tax and employment paperwork. Returning students who worked a PCOM FWS position in the previous academic year do not need to complete the paperwork below again and may continue to Step 3.

W-4 Form (fillable PDF, via IRS)

• Students must complete the form with their current address while attending PCOM. For many students, this is their apartment address.

I-9 Form (fillable PDF, via U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services)

• Students must complete the form with their current address while attending PCOM. For many students, this is their apartment address.
• Per the last page of the form, students must bring in original ID document(s) to be reviewed by a financial aid counselor.
  Most students bring in their current U.S. Passport; or their driver's license and Social Security card.
  
  

PCOM Payroll Direct Deposit Form

• Per the 2nd page of the form, students must bring in a voided check or other document that shows their name, bank account number, and bank routing number.
  
  

Pennsylvania State Income Tax Withholding Form

• To be completed by students employed on the Philadelphia, PA campus who currently reside in New Jersey, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia or Indiana.
  
  

Georgia State Income Tax Withholding Form

• To be completed by students employed on the Suwanee, GA campus.

Print and complete all appropriate forms and then visit your respective financial aid office to review the documentation and present valid forms of identification.

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Step 3: Award Form

After Step 2 is complete, the financial aid counselor will give the student a FWS Award Form. The student and job supervisor will complete the FWS Award Form and return it to their respective financial aid office.

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Step 4: Authorization Email

After Step 3 is complete, the student must wait about 2 weeks for processing to finalize. The student and their supervisor will receive a FWS Authorization Email that will show the date the student can begin working. Students may not begin working until the date listed in the FWS Authorization Email.

If you have additional questions, please contact your respective financial aid office.

Overview

Work study students may be able to qualify for Supplementary Nutrition Assistant Program (SNAP) also known as "food stamps" in their state of residence. The main qualifier is demonstration of earning Federal Work Study dollars. Students do not need to work a certain number of hours or earn a certain amount of money. Applications will usually ask for a recent pay stub.

State Applications

PA Compass
NJ Helps
DE Assist
NY MyBenefits

GA Food Stamps
My Alabama
SC SNAP
My FL Families

Visit SNAP to find your state's online application.