COLONIAL CENTRAL

COLONIAL CENTRAL

brings together in a friendly, centralized, service-culture setting the offices of Student Financial Assistance, Student Accounts, the Registrar, GWorld, and the Cashier.

Federal Work Study FAQs

1. What is Federal Work Study (FWS)?

The Federal Work Study Program (FWS) is a financial aid program funded jointly by the U.S. Federal Government and your work study employer. You work at a part- time job and earn an hourly wage, up to (but not exceeding) the amount of the FWS award you’ve been allotted. Your work study employer is either an on-campus department of GW or an off-campus non-profit agency that has been pre-approved as a FWS employer by GW.

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2. How do I obtain Federal Work Study funds?

You must meet federal eligibility requirements to receive a FWS award. The FWS award is part of the overall financial aid package offered to eligible students by the GW Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA). The Career Center plays no role in determining who receives FWS funds. You must officially accept your FWS award either by going to the OSFA or online through your GWeb account before you can begin working in a FWS job. You can download the form with instructions on how to accept your FWS award.

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3. How do I find FWS jobs?

There are three main ways to find a FWS job:
a) Starting on August 23, 2009 you can view FWS jobs through GWork, GW's online jobs database.

b) Attend the Federal Work Study Job Fair on Thursday, September 3, 2009 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm in the Marvin Center Ballrooms. Click here for more information about the FWS Job Fair.

c) Contact an on-campus GW department directly if you have an interest in working there. Ask if they plan to hire FWS students during the 2009-2010 academic year. The employer must have signed a FWS agreement with the Career Center before they can employ you as a FWS student. If you speak with an employer who’s unsure about the FWS program, refer them to the Career Center.

Note: Each year GW signs contracts with several dozen off-campus non-profit organizations who meet the federal government’s requirements to employ FWS students. A list of those approved off-campus employers can seen at http://gwired.gwu.edu/career/fws/. Only the employers on this list are eligible to hire you. If an organiztion does not appear on this list, then you cannot use your FWS funding there.

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4. Will I definitely find a FWS job?

At the beginning of the academic year there are more FWS jobs available than there are students seeking these jobs. If you start your search early in the semester, you should have many jobs to choose from. As the academic year progresses, employers fill their jobs and you will have fewer and fewer choices as time goes on.

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5. What kind of job will I get?

There are many kinds of FWS jobs at GW. We consider your FWS job to be the first step on your career path. You’ll gain valuable skills and experience. Many jobs involve light office administrative work which can include greeting office visitors, answering phones or e-mail, performing web-based tasks, using Microsoft Office software, helping to plan office or departmental events, and helping staff members with their projects and duties.

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6. I've accepted a FWS job offer. Now what do I do?

·         After you find a job, complete the Employment Forms Packet which can be picked up in the Career Center or downloaded.

·         You must complete your tax forms and your I-9 (“Employment Verification”) form BEFORE you start work. The I-9 form should be filled out in the Career Center itself.

·         All students, regardless of citizenship status, must complete the federal I-9 form. It’s a federal law. You must bring ORIGINAL forms of ID to complete the I-9. Refer to the back of the I-9 form for a list of acceptable forms of identification.

·         The Career Center is not authorized to advise you on tax matters. Please visit the GW Tax Department.

·         The Career Center will give you three copies of your I-9 receipt. Keep a copy and give two to your employer.

·         Direct Deposit forms are at http://gwired.gwu.edu/career/fws/. It’s fast, safe and easy.

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7. When can I start working at my FWS job?

This year’s FWS program officially begins on Sunday, August 30, 2009. That’s the first day you could possibly start working if you’ve completed all necessary student employment forms and your employer has already submitted a hiring request to the Career Center. You can start working any day after August 30. Most students begin working sometime in mid September. Before you report to work, you must receive an e-mail from GW’s Oracle system telling you when it’s OK for you to start your job. You and your employer will be notified by e-mail when your hiring request has been processed. You may not begin working before this e-mail notification is received – your employer should be aware of this.

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8. How long will it be until I get paid?

It can take between 4-6 weeks to receive your first paycheck. Make sure you have completed all forms and that your employer submits all hiring paperwork to the Career Center. Failure to do so will result in further delays. GW issues checks two weeks after you work the hours. Check the GW Payroll Calendar for pay dates. Sign up for direct deposit at the Career Center or download the form from http://gwired.gwu.edu/career/fws/. (it’s included in the Employment Forms Packet) This will speed the receipt of your funds and prevent checks from getting lost or stolen.

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9. Do I have to pay FWS money back? How can I spend it?

No. You are not obligated to pay your earnings back to GW - you decide how to spend your paychecks. You can spend it on any education-related expense. You are only entitled the portion of your FWS award that you actually earn. Unearned funds cannot be claimed. This is a federal policy.

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