Office of Financial Aid

"Funding Future"

Student Employment: Frequently Asked Questions

How can I apply for a Federal Work-Study award?: Eligibility for Federal Work-Study is determined by the information you submit on the FAFSA during the financial aid application process. You are automatically considered for FWS when you apply for financial aid; there is no separate application process. If you are determined to be eligible, a FWS award will be included in your financial aid package which is available on OPUS.
How can I find a Federal Work-Study job?: You may find a Federal Work-Study job one of two ways - by attending the FWS job fair or by searching for jobs online in the Eagle Ops system. All students who are awarded FWS as part of their financial aid package are sent an invitation at the end of Julyto the annual FWS job fair held each year in August. The job fair is typically held the day before classes begin. This event gives you the chance to network with many of our FWS employers, including University departments, local non-profits, and government agencies. You may also search for jobs online in the Eagle Ops job posting system. Federal Work-Study jobs typically begin posting in early August for the fall semester and in late December for the spring semester.
Can I have two Federal Work-Study jobs at the same time?: Students are allowed employment in only one Federal Work-Study (FWS) job at a time with one exception; a student may be employed in two FWS jobs if one of the positions is in the Emory Reads tutoring program (a division of the America Reads program). For more information on Emory Reads, please contact the Student Employment Office.; A student can be employed as a regular student worker (which is funded entirely by the hiring department) and as a Federal Work-Study student worker simultaneously.
How many hours can I work per week?: Federal Work-Study students are limited to working 20 hours per week during periods of enrollment and 40 hours per week during periods of non-enrollment, such as winter and spring breaks. For further clarification regarding periods of non-enrollment, please contact Student Employment at (404) 727-6039.; NOTE: Students who work over 20 hours per week (among all campus jobs) are subject to FICA (Social Security) taxes being deducted from his/her wages. Therefore, 20 hours per week is the maximum number of hours recommended for academic reasons as well as tax reasons.
May I change Federal Work-Study jobs during the academic year?: Yes, at any point during the academic year a student may change Federal Work-Study jobs. However, it is recommended that you give your employer at least two weeks notice to process all necessary paperwork. You must be properly terminated from your previous position prior to being hired into a new position. For accurate recordkeeping purposes, it is imperative that you advise your new employer that you have recently changed positions.
Are Federal Work-Study earnings taxable?: Yes, Federal Work-Study earnings are taxable income. Emory Human Resources provides each student employee with a W-2 form after the end of the calendar year, which can also be accessed online.
How will I receive my Federal Work-Study funds?: You must be hired for an Emory Federal Work-Study job and work to earn your award. You will earn the award by working and receiving biweekly paychecks paid directly to you from the Emory Payroll Department. The maximum you may earn during the academic year is the amount of your FWS award. The earnings you receive are intended to offset your living expenses as an Emory student. How you choose to use these funds is entirely at your discretion. You will earn FWS funds for your work at an hourly rate (ranging from $7.50-$9.00 per hour for undergraduates and from $11.00-$12.50 per hour for graduate students).
What happens when I reach my Federal Work-Study award maximum?: Your department should notify you when you reach your award maximum. The department has the option of either continuing your assignment and paying you 100% from its departmental budget or ending your assignment altogether. If funding permits, most departments will make every attempt to continue your assignment.