FWS Student Responsibilities

1. Expectations

• You will only receive FWS funds for the hours you have actually worked. FWS students are NOT entitled to any unearned FWS monies.
• Pay for your FWS employment is NOT applied to your UGA Student Account nor applied toward fees for subsequent semesters.
• Do NOT expect to be able to study during your scheduled work hours!
• As a Federal Work-Study (FWS) student employee, you are expected to be prompt, reliable and cooperative. You must adhere to the policies set by the department where you will be working.

• You will be evaluated by your Supervisor on the following Criteria:

  • Adheres to set schedule
  • Arrives at work on time
  • Contacts supervisor if running late or unable to work
  • Pays attention to detail
  • Notices what needs to be done and does it without being asked
  • Listens carefully to instruction
  • Maintains positive, helpful attitude
  • Neat appearance/appropriate attire

2. Eligibility and Conditions of FWS

• You must maintain FWS eligibility throughout the academic year. Please note that changes to your other financial aid (such as an additional scholarship) may reduce or cancel your FWS award.
• Federal Work-Study jobs are for the academic year; this means Fall and Spring semesters.
• You must be enrolled in at least six credit hours per semester to participate in FWS.
• You can only be employed in ONE FWS position. You cannot accept one job and transfer to another.
• Poor work performance can result in termination initiated by the department in which you work.

3. Obtaining a job

• A FWS award does not guarantee a FWS job! It is each student’s responsibility to obtain his/her FWS job.
• Follow the step-by-step instructions at www.uga.edu/osfa/fws/process.html
• Starting early is key. Most FWS positions are filled during June and July.

4. Employee forms and paperwork

• New FWS students must complete the UGA Online Orientation, including printing and completing all the required forms. Your Supervisor will provide you information about this process. Failure to complete the Online Orientation or the necessary paperwork will result in your paychecks being delayed or withheld until all the forms are completed.

5. Rate of Pay

• FWS workers earn $7.25 per hour, except for those participating in the America Reads program.

6. Your Work Schedule

• Your work schedule is arranged between you and your Supervisor. A written schedule reflecting your work days and hours should be clearly defined at the beginning of each semester.
• You cannot work during your scheduled class meeting times, even if a class meeting has been cancelled by the instructor.
• Report to work promptly, and notify your Supervisor in advance if you cannot report to work on time.
• The FWS program requires at least seven hours of work per week at your assigned position unless otherwise approved by your department.

7. Hours per week limitation

• FWS students cannot work more than 20 hours per week (Thurs-Wed).

8. Keep track of your earnings

• Maintain a record of your earnings to ensure that you do not exceed your FWS Award Amount.
• Students who earn the Maximum Amount to Earn (the amount listed on your Financial Aid Award) prior to the end of the semester must stop working but may return to work the following semester.
• Unearned amounts DO NOT carry over to the next semester.

9. Sign In and Out and Payroll Issues

• You must sign in each time you report to work and sign out when leaving. Your supervisor will print the sign-in sheets for you. The sheet will stay in your supervisor's office or lab. You are required to record the exact time worked each day. Your supervisor must keep the completed sheets on file for auditors.
• Your pay for the hours you have worked will be Direct Deposited into your checking account by the UGA Payroll Department every two weeks, provided you have completed all orientation paperwork. (Remember: Your pay for your FWS employment is NOT applied to your UGA Student Account nor applied toward fees for subsequent semesters.)
• FWS earnings are taxable income. All questions about the amounts being withheld or W-2 forms should be addressed to the University's Payroll Department.

10. Disputes

• If a dispute arises between you and your supervisor or department, try to first speak with your supervisor. If that does not resolve the issue or you feel you cannot do so, then contact your department's Liaison (listed on your Assignment Summary). If these avenues are not helpful, you may then wish to contact the FWS Coordinator at the Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA).

11. Changes of status and contact information:

• Inform your Supervisor, Liaison AND OSFA of any changes in name, address, or plans that would affect your FWS job. This includes but is not limited to withdrawing from the FWS program.

I have read and understand my responsibilities as an FWS student worker. I understand that failure to adhere to these rules may result in termination.

Signature: ___________________________________________

     Date: ____________________