provides part-time jobs to help you earn money to meet your
educationally related expenses.
What are the eligibility
requirements?
To receive FWS, you must meet the eligibility requirements
for federal student aid described in the section on PELL.
How do I apply?
To be considered for this award, you must fill out your financial
aid applications by an established filing deadline and request
consideration for FWS by checking the appropriate box on the
FAFSA. FWS money is awarded on a first-come, first served
basis. The college receives a fixed amount of money each academic
year to make FWS awards. Once this money is awarded, there
is no more for that academic year. You are encouraged to file
your financial aid applications early.
When you receive your award
letter from the college, it will indicate whether or not
you have been awarded FWS. After July 1st of the award year,
you may check your award status on PANTHER
-- BMCC's online student information system. Access PANTHER
from the BMCC Home Page.
Where would I work?
Where you work depends on the amount of your award, class
schedule and job skills. To the maximum extent possible, the
FWS Placement Office tries to place you in a job that complements
or reinforces your educational program or career goals. You
may work either on-campus in one of the departments of the
college or off-campus at a number of non-profit community
service agencies affiliated with CUNY. Also, it may be possible
for you to work at selected companies in the private sector
that choose to participate in the program. If you receive
a small award or have a heavy class schedule, you will usually
be placed on-campus.
Can I choose where
I would like to work?
Yes. If you receive a FWS award, you will come to the Financial Aid
Office at the beginning of the term for placement.
You will have the opportunity to select and submit a job application for a
work-study assignment from our on-line
job bank.
If you are hired, you and
your work-study employer will receive an approval by email from the work-study placement office office. You may then
begin to work.
Can I earn as much
money as I want?
No. Your FWS award represents the maximum amount you may earn
for the academic year. How much of the total award you actually
receive depends upon your rate of pay, the total number of
hours you work each week and the number of weeks you work
in the year. Once you have earned your maximum FWS award,
you will have to stop working.
Am I paid an hourly
wage or a salary?
You are paid by the hour, your rate of pay being determined
by the job location and the nature of the work involved. You
will receive at least $7.25 per hour for on-campus positions.
The rate of pay for jobs off-campus range from $7.25 to $9.00 per hour.
How will I be paid?
Every two weeks, your supervisor submits a time sheet for
you to the Financial Aid Payroll Office. After your first
time sheet is submitted, you may have to wait up to 4 weeks
for your first check. Subsequently, you will receive a paycheck
every two weeks. See Federal Work-Study
Timesheet Processing Deadlines for the dates your timesheets
must be submitted in order to be paid on time for each work
period throughout the school year.
If I am unable to
earn my entire award, will I be able to receive the rest of
the money?
No. You can be paid only for the hours you have worked. If
you cannot earn your entire FWS award before the end of the
academic year, the unearned portion of your award is returned
to the program.
How many credits do
I have to take for FWS eligibility?
You must register for and maintain an enrollment status of
half-time (6 credits or equated credits) or greater to be
eligible for FWS. If, for any reason, your course load falls
below half-time, you can no longer participate in the program
and must stop working.
Do I have to stop
working if I withdraw from school?
Yes. If you withdraw from school for any reason, you lose
your eligibility for FWS and must stop working.
I am currently receiving
unemployment. Do I have to report FWS earnings to the unemployment
office?
Yes. If you are receiving unemployment insurance benefits
and are also employed in the FWS program, you must notify
your local unemployment office that you are working in the
FWS program. The New York State Department of Labor considers
it willful misrepresentation to collect unemployment benefits
without revealing that you are also receiving FWS.
Are FWS earnings
taxable?
Yes. FWS earnings are considered taxable income by both federal
and state governments. However, FWS earnings are not included
in the calculation of your eligibility for financial aid.
Why do I have to
fill out an I-9 Form?
According to federal law, the identity and work eligibility
of all FWS students must be verified before beginning a FWS
assignment. You will have to complete an I-9 form and present
certain documents to an appropriate FWS representative. You
may not participate in the on-campus FWS program until you
have filed an I-9 form with the Financial Aid Office. If you
work off-campus, you will file your I-9 with your off-campus
employer.
What are the benefits
of the FWS program?
If you have never had a job, the FWS program can give you
your first exposure to the world of work. FWS employers are
often willing to give you on-the-job training. You can find
positions relating directly to your program of study or career
choice, thereby gaining valuable job experience. You may learn
about giving something back to the community through a community service related FWS position. When seeking regular employment
after graduation, you may use your FWS job as an employment
reference. If you are enrolled in the Cooperative Education
department, you can sometimes use your FWS job to fulfill
your internship requirement. Finally, you could be taken on
as a regular employee by the employer you worked for as a
FWS student.
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