Federal Work Study Program

Introduction 

The Federal Work Study Program is a form of financial assistance available to qualifying students. Students are provided the opportunity to meet their educational costs through part-time employment. To determine Federal Work Study eligibility, students should contact their financial aid counselor in the Office of Student Financial Aid.

The Federal Government establishes eligibility criteria and allocates an annual grant which is used to fund the student's earnings. The employing department within the Medical University of South Carolina does not contribute to the student's earnings, except in cases where the student's eligibility is exceeded. Because of this unique funding arrangement, the program is governed by policies and procedures representative of both funding agencies.

Federal Work Study is a federal regulated financial aid program authorized by the Higher Education Act of 1965 and subsequent amendments and reauthorizations. A certain percentage of your paycheck is provided through Federal Title IV funds.

What is Federal Work Study?

The Federal Work Study Program provides students financial aid in the form of wages paid to the student for services rendered as a Federal Work-Study employee. As a Federal Work Study employee, you are paid hourly. This is in accordance with MUSC payroll guidelines and as outlined in your FWS contract. Work must not interfere with the pursuit of your education.

The exact amount of your Federal Work Study award depends on your demonstrated financial need determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid, and on available funding from the Federal Government.

If your financial aid award letter includes Federal Work Study, the amount shown is the amount of money you may expect to earn during the academic year as a result of work performed and the hours necessary to perform such work.

What is the Role of the Office of Student Financial Aid in the Federal Work Study Program?

In addition to determining the amount of your Federal Work Study award, the Office of Student Financial Aid acts as the coordinating agent between the student, the supervisor and the administrative offices of MUSC like Human Resources, Payroll and Employee Health. Please call the  at 792-2536 regarding questions about this information.

Steps to Finding a FWS Job  

1. Interested students should review the current available jobs and FWS FAQs.
2. Contact the supervisor of any position in which you're interested.
3. Be sure that you have submitted the current year's FAFSA, as this is a requirement for determining FWS eligibility.
4. Once done, submit the Federal Work Study Interest Form. 
5. After receiving your interest form, the FWS Coordinator will contact you to being the onboarding process. This may include reducing your other financial aid to accommodate a FWS award. 
6. Be sure to complete all steps of the hiring process in a timely manner. The FWS Coordinator will let you know when you are cleared to begin working by providing an official start date. You cannot begin working until you have been provided with a start date from the Office of Student Financial Aid. Students that work in non-authorized periods of employment will not be paid from Federal Work Study funds. There are no exceptions.
7. Contact your FWS supervisor to establish a work schedule.

Dual Employment

MUSC's Office of Student Financial Aid does not allow dual employment for Federal Work Study employees.

A FWS employee must notify the Office of Student Financial Aid if they are working (or plan to work) in another department at MUSC or MUHA external of the Federal Work Study program. It is important that students already employed in another department at MUSC or MUHA who are considering a work study position discuss this information with the FWS Coordinator.

Failure to communication dual employment information to the Office of Student Financial Aid before being hired may place the student in a situation where the student is ineligible for work study. Any hours worked in a period of ineligibility will be paid by the student's supervising department (not the FWS program). FWS may only work one work study job. 

Hours

Students may work a maximum of 20 hours a week (no more than 8 hours in a particular day). Students working an 8 hour shift must be provided with a lunch break. Students are also governed by other policies which apply to all MUSC employees. MUSC work study students average 8-10 hours per week.

Availability of Federal Work Study funds and written authorization by the FWS Coordinator will dictate work assignments during the holidays and the summer. If a student is authorized to work during holiday break or summer, the student may not work more than 25 hours per week. Students may not work during scheduled class periods, clinics, internships or other required clinical work. Students should notify their supervisor of their availability so that work schedules can be arranged around class schedules.

Notice of Eligibility

Notices of Eligibility are sent periodically to advise the student of their estimated remaining eligibility for Federal Work Study. When a student comes within $500 of exceeding their award allocation, they are sent a letter advising them to plan accordingly so that they will not exceed their FWS awards allocation.

Pay Rates

The work study program's rate of pay is $13.00 per hour. 

FWS Employee Rights

As a Federal Work Study employee at the Medical University of South Carolina, you have certain employment rights. You have the right to:

1. Expect the Medical University of South Carolina to provide equal opportunity in employment without regard to sex, race, creed, national origin, or handicap.
2. Work free of the threat or actual incidence of racism or sexual harassment.
3. Work in an atmosphere consistent with the MUSC mission and values statement.
4. Be provided adequate instruction and the necessary working conditions for the performance of your duties.

Copies of the Medical University of South Carolina Equal Employment Statement and Affirmative Action Policy are included in your employment packet.

If you have reason to believe your rights are being infringed upon or have questions concerning your rights, please contact the FWS Coordinator in the Office of Student Financial Aid at 843-792-2536. 

FWS Employment Responsibilities

Federal Work Study employees are expected to approach their employment in a professional manner. A student who accepts a FWS position is expected to:

1. Complete employment paperwork with the FWS Coordinator prior to working.
2. File all appropriate forms, as required, with the Office of Student Financial Aid.
3. Fill out timecards completely and accurately.
4. Ensure that all timecards are turned in on time.
5. Perform all duties in compliance with departmental policies.
6. Treat all members of the MUSC community and all visitors with courtesy and consideration.
7. Notify your supervisor when you are unable to work as scheduled.
8. Maintain confidentiality when working with all employment related material.
9. Maintain academic standing.
10. Notify your supervisor and the Office of Student Financial Aid prior to terminating employment (in writing).
11. Never work during scheduled class times.
12. Notify your supervisor and the Office of Student Financial Aid prior to starting an out of town rotation. Failure to communicate these dates may cause premature termination of your paperwork from the payroll.
13. Continue to maintain satisfactory academic progress and be enrolled at least half time. 

FERPA

FERPA is a law that protects the confidentiality of student records and information. FWS students who may have limited access to student information should familiarize themselves with the FERPA policy and notify the FWS coordinator for completion of any required OurDay trainings on FERPA as well as signing a FWS confidentiality statement.

FWS students may not acquire student information that is not directly related to their job assignments. They must also not release student information to anyone, unless their job specifically requires them to do so. Any information that is obtained on the job must remain within the scope of the workplace. 

Summer Work Study

Summer Work Study is not guaranteed. It is based on availability of funds and only available to eligible students. The student must be currently enrolled at the university.

Students do not have to be enrolled for summer courses to receive Work Study funding if they have attended the previous spring term and are planning to return for the fall semester.

Incoming students are not eligible for Work Study prior to matriculating. Graduating students who plan to re-enroll in a new program are not eligible for work study in the summer prior to the start of classes.