Federal Work Study

Eligibility

You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for funding. To earn funds, get a qualified position with an on-campus employer or community service partner. You also have to maintain half-time enrollment (six credits for undergraduate, five credits for graduate) and meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements.

Priority is given to students who meet UW-Green Bay's preferred filing date (February 1) each year. A typical award amount is $2,000 and can vary based on financial need eligibility. FWS is awarded for the entire academic year. Funds may be canceled if a student does not accept the FWS offer prior to July 1 or begin working prior to October 1.

Waitlist

Although many students qualify, FWS funding is limited. The Financial Aid Office awards FWS on a first come, first served basis. Students who are not awarded funding may request to be place on the FWS waitlist.

The first students are typically moved off of the waitlist in July. New awardees will receive a notification via campus email.

Job Opportunities

Most hourly on-campus positions qualify for FWS funding. UW-Green Bay also partners with local nonprofit agencies that serve as host sites for FWS employees. Awardees do not need to limit their job search to positions that require FWS funding – the program is meant to open opportunities, not restrict them.

On-Campus

Most offices and academic departments at UW-Green Bay offer part-time student jobs. Some offices will only hire students who have FWS funding. Enrolled students who would like to use earn FWS funds on campus should search the position type "On-Campus Student Employment" in Handshake.

Community Service

The FWS program requires participating institutions to employ awardees in community service positions and promote these opportunities to students. These experiences allow students to learn about off-campus agencies and gain additional skills related to their program of study. In order to earn FWS at an off-campus agency, the organization must hold an active contract with UW-Green Bay. Work performed must be in the public interest and comply with other FWS regulations.

Due to the need for periodic site visits, off-campus FWS partnerships will generally be limited to nonprofit community service agencies within a 20-mile radius of the main campus; 10 miles of the additional campuses in Manitowoc, Marinette, and Sheboygan; or 5 miles of a major roadway (e.g., I-43 or US 41) connecting the locations. Exceptions to this policy may be made at the discretion of the Director if an extenuating need or circumstance exists. To discuss current partnerships or the possibility of contracting with UW-Green Bay, please contact the Student Employment Coordinator (920-465-2556 or studentemployment@uwgb.edu).

America Reads & America Counts

The Federal Government created the America Reads/America Counts program during the 1990s. The initiative focuses on increasing reading and math literacy levels of all students, with a primary goal of helping students read independently by the end of third grade. UW-Green Bay partners with local schools to provide reading and math tutors for grades K through 8. UW-Green Bay tutors work in groups or one-on-one to enhance student's reading or math skills in a classroom setting.

Summer Awards

Summer FWS eligibility is based on your calculated financial need for the upcoming aid year. To be considered for funding, you must complete a FAFSA and UW-Green Bay Summer Aid Application (available in March each year). You don't need to be enrolled in summer courses to receive FWS, but you must indicate a position on the UW-Green Bay Summer Aid Application. If you have questions, please contact the Financial Aid Office at 920-465-2111 or financialaid@uwgb.edu.