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Student Financial Services

Federal Work-Study

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a federal financial aid program for students with demonstrated financial need. FWS provides part-time job opportunities that are designed to fit your academic schedule.

Overview

The Federal Work-Study (FWS) program provides an opportunity to be placed in a part-time job that will accommodate your academic schedule during the school year. The opportunity to participate in a community service based organization or with the college will be given.

Positions are available:

  • On campus
  • Off campus
  • With community service organizations

Placement assistance for FWS jobs is available online through Brightspace under "My Organization".

Important:
If you were not originally awarded an FWS grant, discretionary FWS awards will be reviewed and may be offered to eligible students starting in October.

Federal Work-Study Frequently Asked Questions

FWS Eligibility Requirements

All awarded Federal Work-Study students must follow these criteria:

  • Must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Enroll in at least 6 credits course(s) at the time of job placement
  • Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
  • Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or asylee
  • Must work at an FWS-approved on-campus or off-campus worksite
  • Work no more than 20 hours per week.

TAX Return Document: W-2, Wage and Tax Statement

Your Federal Work-Study (FWS) Form W-2, Wage, and Tax Statement are available on CUNYfirst Self-Service at the beginning of the fiscal year.
You must grant consent to start receiving an electronic form W-2

To review, download, and print your Form W-2, log in to CUNYfirst (Campus Solution). Navigate to (Self-Service > Payroll and Compensation > View W-2/W-2c) and click the link to download your file.

W-2 Form frequently asked questions

Pay Rate

Pay rate is determined at the begining of each academic year or if a new contract is needed.
Grade Level Pay Rate:

  • Freshman $19.00 per hour,
  • Sophomore $19.00 per hour,
  • Junior $19.50 per hour,
  • Senior and 2nd Degree students, $19.50 per hour.
    Off-campus rate varies per hour.

FWS Orientation

Available on your Brightspace in "My Organization" panel

  • Complete the FWS Orientation on Brightspace, pass the quiz, and submit all required forms each year.
  • You have three attempts to pass the quiz. If unsuccessful, you must wait two weeks before retaking the quiz.
  • Bring your quiz completion to all interviews.
  • All I-9 IDs must be brought and submitted to the Financial Aid office in person when hired.
    Please, click on the following links logging to brightspace, or lockdown browser or report any technical issues to Lmshelp@york.cuny.edu for assistance. The quiz can also be taken in room CL201 daily.
    You may also visit Brightspace for Students
  • Visit It Helpdesk at the Welcome Center or call 718-262-5300 or 5311 for technical assistance.

Supervisors do have their own forms to hire students. Student should email, or call supervisors to request an interview. After both supervisor and student forms are submitted, student will be notified to begin work if eligible.

Important Award Year Dates

  • July 1, 2025 - Summer start date.
  • August 23, 2025 - Last day Summer work.
  • August 26, 2025 - Fall start date (all documents submitted and received on Brightspace).
  • December 26, 2025 - Last day Fall work.
  • Working During Breaks: students may work as needed by the supervisor, but must have already enrolled at least 6 credits for the incoming semester.
  • Winter Session -  December 29, 2025, to January 23, 2026. Student may work if approved by the department.
  • January 26, 2026 - Spring start date (You must have hours remaining in order to work in the Spring 2026).
  • Spring Recess  - April 1 to April 9, 2026.
  • May 26, 2026 - End of award year and last day Spring work.

Job Placement Process

Students must submit all documentation on Brightspace before job vacancy list can be seen. Supervisor will submit their hiring forms. Once the forms are processed, student will be sent confirmation to start working. Students should not start working prior to receiving a clearance notification.

Expectation Before Being Hired

  1. Accept your FWS offer on CUNYfirst
  2. Complete orientation, quiz, and all required forms (must score "10" on each) on Brightspace
  3. Search job postings on Brightspace, contact supervisors, and arange interviews
  4. Supervisors submit hiring forms
  5. Wait for clearance email before starting work.

Important: All FWS student documents and forms must be uploaded to the Financial Aid secure document portal.
Click here to sign in and upload your documents.

Off-Campus Job Information

All jobs are available online on Brightspace and are updated constantly. Please keep checking on Brightspace for new jobs posting.

Public Service Corps Info and Application

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