What is Federal Work-Study

 

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is part of a student’s financial aid package. After the Financial Aid Office determines a student’s financial need, it attempts to meet this need with a package of assistance that includes scholarships, grants, loans and work-study employment. The term "Work-Study" does not mean that students study on the job. It means that they WORK to obtain the funds to be ABLE to study at Ole Miss.

 

What are the advantages for you as an Employer?

 

Seventy-five percent (75%) of the student’s wage is paid by federal financial aid funds. Your department pays the remaining twenty-five percent (25%). These funds are subject to regulations established by the U. S. Department of Education.

 

When do students work?

 

Students normally work 10-14 hours each week depending on your needs and the student’s award. The student’s work schedule each week should be determined in advance by you and the student. (The work-study program normally begins the first day of classes and ends the last day of exams each semester.) Students are not allowed to work during vacation periods. Students may work up to eight hours per day, but no more than nineteen hours in any one week. The hours worked during each period will be deducted from the student’s semester award.

 

What paperwork is involved?

 

Students referred to you for employment consideration will present a FWS Interview Sheet. After a successful interview, you should retain the blue copy of the completed FWS Interview Sheet and return the pink copy to the Financial Aid Office. The completed form must be returned to the Financial Aid Office before a student will be paid. You are responsible for completing and verifying the FWS Time Sheet and sending it to the appropriate location or electronically submitting it by using the SAP software program. We also request your completion of an Evaluation Form on each FWS student before the end of the assignment period. This Evaluation Form should be completed before the end of the semester and kept with all your FWS records for future reference.

 

What are your responsibilities as a Supervisor to FWS students?

 

• To provide students with an orientation so they will understand what tasks they will be required to perform.

• To provide supervision and constructive criticism to assist students in performing their assignments in a satisfactory manner.

• To counsel with students if their work is unsatisfactory and to give them a reasonable time to improve.

• To submit work-study hours in a timely manner so students can be paid at the scheduled times.

• To ensure that students do not work over the allowed amount of hours for the term. If students earn more than the total wages authorized, or if they work between terms or during periods in which they are not enrolled, your department will be responsible for paying 100% of the wages during that time period.

• To complete an Evaluation Form before the end of the assignment period and retain it with your FWS records.

 

Can a Work-Study student be terminated?

 

Yes. If the student continues to perform the job in an unsatisfactory manner, is often late, fails to report to work, or fails to follow the rules of the area where assigned, the student may be terminated. The Final Warning given to the student before termination must be in writing and include documentation of a student conference with the supervisor. A photocopy should be sent to the Financial Aid Office with a memorandum asking that the student be terminated.

 

 For further information, please call the Financial Aid Office at (662) 915-5580 or email workstdy@olemiss.edu .