Federal Work Study Program
The Federal Work Study (FWS) program is a need-based, federally funded work program administered by the Office of Financial Aid. The program allows students to work part-time on or off campus to help offset their educational expenses. The funds will not be directly credited to your account, instead you will be paid biweekly. Students apply by filing a FAFSA. If you are offered FWS, it will be included in your financial aid offer. You will need to accept the offer and find employment. If you were offered FWS, follow the instructions below to accept the offer and complete all requirements to begin your employment.
Accept Your Offer:
If you have been offered FWS, it is included in your financial aid offer. To accept FWS, log in to the goStockton portal and select the financial aid tab. Then, click on the blue "View My Financial Aid Offer" graphic on the left-hand side of the page. Enter the aid year and accept or decline the offer. Then, click "Submit My Decision."
After You've Accepted Your Offer:
There are a vast number of jobs on-campus and off-campus. Once you have accepted your FWS offer, you will need to create and login to your Handshake account on the Career Education & Development’s website to apply for open FWS positions.
View Employment Opportunities
View employment opportunities for Federal Work Study Students using the Office of Career Education & Development’s Handshake platform.
Click Here to Browse Employers!
After You've Secured Employment:
Once you've secured employment, you will notify the Office of Financial Aid of your employment by emailing fws@stockton.edu
All Federal Work Study (FWS) forms are now electronic. Once we receive notification of a student's employment, we will send the student an email with instructions on how to access and complete the process, including the Student Employment Form. After completing all required forms and processes, the student may begin working.
Once you begin working, either you or your supervisor will need to input your hours worked into Web Time Entry (WTE) every two weeks. You will be paid biweekly via direct deposit.
Both the student and employer share the responsibility of monitoring FWS earnings to ensure that the award limit is not exceeded. You may earn up to half of your offer during the fall semester and the remaining award during the spring semester.
Helpful Links:
*The Student Employment Form is available to students at stockton.verifymyfafsa.com. Students who have not registered their account will be required to do so before
completing the form.
Click Here to Access the Student Employment Form
*This I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification link will take you to the Human Resources web page to complete the electronic version of the I-9 form.
Federal Work Study FAQ's:
You must apply every year for FWS by completing the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on the web at fafsa.gov and selecting the option that you are interested in the FWS program. FWS is a need-based program that is awarded to students with financial need. Funds are awarded on a first come first serve basis. Eligibility for funds is determined by the Office of Financial Aid.
There are a vast number of jobs on-campus and off-campus. Once you have accepted your FWS offer you will need to create and login to your Handshake account on the Career Education & Development’s website to apply for open FWS positions.
Once you've secured employment, you will notify the Office of Financial Aid of your employment by emailing fws@stockton.edu
All Federal Work Study (FWS) forms are now electronic. Once we receive notification of a student's employment, we will send the student an email with instructions on how to access and complete the process. After completing all required forms and processes, the student may begin working.
Either you or your supervisor will need to input your hours worked into Web Time Entry (WTE) every two weeks. You will be paid biweekly via direct deposit. If there are any discrepancies with your pay amount, you should bring it to your supervisor's attention immediately so that the discrepancy can be resolved as soon as possible.
• Students who work 5 or more hours in a shift must take a minimum 30 minute break
• Students who are not enrolled full time (12 credits) per semester will have their
FWS award pro-rated
• Students will earn the NJ minimum wage rate set forth in N.J.A.C.12:56-3.1 and accrue
Personal Time Off (PTO)
per the Stockton Human Resources Policy
• Students may work a maximum of 20 hours per week
• Students will not exceed their maximum award per semester as shown in their financial
aid offer
• A student's FWS earnings will not be applied directly to their tuition account
In order to remain employed under the program, students must:
• Perform a satisfactory job and cooperate with the particular department’s procedures
• Adhere to work schedules
• Inform their supervisor of absences in advance if possible. If unable, inform as
early as possible on the
day of their absence
• Notify the Office of Financial Aid when intending to terminate their employment
as well as
the department/employer for which they work
If the student fails to work and adhere to the good job practices as stated above, their employment will be terminated.
A student job is an employment opportunity, which gives you, experience in the work place and your supervisor is a potential reference when you seek employment after leaving Stockton. Therefore, it is your responsibility to:
- Report to work on time and with regularity, calling in personally if you will be tardy or absent;
- Perform your job satisfactorily, maintaining the same standards of conduct as any regular, full-time employee;
- Assume the responsibilities attached to the position for the entire FWS period, but if circumstances necessitate a job change, notify the Office of Financial Aid. You should give your supervisor at least two weeks notice;
- Complete your Web Time Entry (WTE) on a regular basis as directed by your supervisor;
- Act in a professional manner concerning the confidentiality of information, which comes to you through your assignment.
You are also responsible for maintaining your schoolwork and not letting your job interfere with academics. However, recent studies show that academics are enhanced by students who have committed themselves to a part-time job because they acquire excellent time management and organizational skills.
As a FWS student, you have certain rights as follows:
- You have the right to choose your position in the department of your choice if several offers of employment are presented;
- You have the right to know the specified period of employment and the hourly salary rate prior to being hired;
- You have the right to see a written job description before accepting any position;
- You have the right to information concerning any hazardous substances and potential exposure in that workplace;
- You have the right to expect fair and equal treatment from your supervisors
Your supervisor is the key person in all communications that involve your work. You should bring any problems or concerns to his/her immediate attention. If the two of you cannot resolve the problem you should contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss your concerns.
