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What is federal work study and how does it differ from other types of employers?

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Host: What is Federal Work Study and how does it differ from other types of employers?

Brad Barnett: Federal Work Study is a great Financial Aid Program. It s also misunderstood. It s not paid stuffy time, it is a part time job, so you do have to work for it. But, there is a couple of benefits to Federal Work Study, over a regular part time job. One is, it s a federal program, so, keep in mind, you have to do the free application for federal student aid, you see, if you qualify. But as being a federal program, what that means, your employer is the Federal government is actually paying part of your wages. So, it's very attractive to an employer to have federal work study.

The main benefit for you is when you file for financial aid, in your next year, if you go back to the FAFSA to think about it, you have to list your incoming earnings from the prior year, work study or taxable earnings. So, if you file taxes, you do have to put the amount there. But when you file financial aid, work study earnings are not looked at as income, when your financial aid office reviews you for eligibility in your next year of school. So, it's a good way to earn some money this year and have us look at less money next year.

Expert: Brad Barnett

Brad received his Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Arkansas University, with a major in Psychology and a minor in Business. He furthered his education by graduating from the Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University with a Master of Science degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, specializing in Mental Health. He has been involved in the financial aid and/or rehabilitation More »