Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a federally funded program that assists students with earning income through part-time employment on or off campus. A FAFSA must be completed to be considered for FWS; a student must demonstrate remaining need after the scholarships and need-based grants awarded to them to qualify for this award. Students will need to find employment and work in order to receive funds. CalArts is not responsible for finding students employment. To accept your Federal Work-Study award, sign into your CalArts Hub Self-Service portal. Prior to the start of the semester, additional instructions will be sent to you, via email, regarding the placement process and all pertinent hiring deadlines.
Award amounts do vary, but are typically $3,000 for the academic year. A student may earn up to the maximum amount, per semester, indicated on their award. Use the following equation to determine the number of hours per week you can work without going over your eligibility:
Amount offered / Hourly wage = Total number of hours Total hours / Number of earning weeks = Number of hours per week
Students earn at least minimum wage and sometimes more based upon the job. Students are paid bimonthly for the hours worked. Earnings are not applied directly to your bill.
Students are encouraged to consider employers involved with community service and the America Reads Program. For additional information on Federal Work-Study, visit the Department of Education.
How to find a job
On-campus Federal Work-Study jobs are posted on the CalArts Jobs portal Compass. You can view and apply for positions that are currently hiring by clicking on “Jobs” and use the “position type filter,” then select “Student Employment Federal Work-Study.” You may also want to ask in your school’s main office and other campus offices about any job opportunities they may have open. Job announcements may also be posted on flyers throughout campus. If you have trouble finding available jobs, you can reach out to Student Employment for assistance.
Students who do not have a Federal Work-Study award are able to also find jobs on-campus that do not require that by visiting Compass then click on “Jobs” and use the “position type filter” to select “Student Employment.”
