Federal Work-Study (FWS) provides part-time employment opportunities for eligible Gateway Technical College students. FWS allows students to earn money to help pay educational expenses while gaining valuable work experience and developing workplace skills.

FWS positions may be available on campus and with approved off-campus community partners.

Students must apply for financial aid to be considered for FWS. FWS funds are limited. Eligible students are awarded FWS on a first-come, first-served basis until available funding is exhausted.

Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA and all required financial aid requirements as early as possible.

Advantages of the Federal Work Study Program

Federal Work-Study can help students:

  • Earn money to help pay educational expenses
  • Gain valuable work experience
  • Develop communication, interpersonal, and time-management skills
  • Build a résumé and explore career interests
  • Gain experience related to their academic program when available
  • Participate in community service opportunities

Search and Apply for FWS Positions

All Gateway Technical College FWS positions are posted through Handshake.

Eligible students can search and apply for available FWS positions through Handshake.

Search and Apply for Work-Study Positions on Handshake

Supervisors: If you would like to provide a student with the direct link to the current FWS Student Application, please email fws@gtc.edu to request the link.

What Happens After You Apply?

Supervisors review FWS applications and select candidates for available positions. Students will receive a response regarding their application and, if selected, information about the next steps in the hiring and onboarding process.

Before You Apply

Before applying for an FWS position, make sure you meet the eligibility requirements below. Your FWS eligibility is based on your current financial aid and enrollment status and may change during the academic year.

Federal Work-Study Eligibility

To be eligible for Federal Work-Study, students must:

  • Complete the 2026–2027 FAFSA
  • Submit and have all required financial aid documents processed
  • Have a financial aid-eligible Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) status
  • Have at least $900 in unmet financial need/li>
  • Be enrolled in at least 1 credit
  • Have no registration holds or outstanding balances
  • Meet all other applicable federal and Gateway eligibility requirements

Supervisors should confirm that a student is currently enrolled and attending Gateway during the term in which the student will work.

FWS eligibility is based on the student's current financial aid package and may change if enrollment or financial aid changes. Students with questions about how changes to their financial aid may affect FWS eligibility should contact a Student Financial Specialist (SFS).

Terms of FWS Employment

  • FWS positions pay $17 per hour.
  • Students may work up to 29 hours per week while classes are in session, with supervisor approval.
  • FWS is paid as an hourly wage. Stipends or lump-sum payments are not allowed.
  • Students may hold one FWS position at a time.
  • Students must monitor their earnings and may not earn more than the amount authorized on their Letter of Employment (LOE).

An FWS award is earned through the hours a student works. The award amount is not automatically paid to the student. Actual earnings depend on the number of hours worked.

Academic Year and When You Can Work

Gateway's 2026–2027 academic year begins with Summer 2026 and includes three terms: Summer 2026, Fall 2026, and Spring 2027.

FWS employment may begin July 1, 2026, but only after students receive official employment notification from Talent and Culture and all required hiring documents have been completed and approved.

Students must stop working when:

  • Their FWS earnings reach their authorized award amount
  • They are instructed to stop by their supervisor, Financial Aid, or Talent and Culture
  • The academic term ends or an academic break begins
  • They graduate and are not continuing enrollment at Gateway
  • They no longer meet FWS eligibility requirements

Timesheets and Pay

FWS students are paid biweekly.

Students must accurately record all hours worked and submit timesheets by the required payroll deadlines.

  • Hours are recorded in 15-minute increments.
  • Most students submit timesheets through Gateway's Self-Service system.
  • Students working for approved off-campus employers use paper timesheets.
  • Late timesheets may delay payment.
  • A student's first paycheck may take up to four weeks after beginning employment.

Students may use direct deposit for convenient payment.

Job Restrictions

FWS employment must follow federal and Gateway requirements. Students:

  • May not work for the U.S. Department of Education
  • May not use FWS for self-employment or work for a family-owned business
  • May not perform work involving religious activities or political lobbying
  • Must perform work within the continental United States

Some FWS positions are available with approved off-campus community partners.

Need the FWS Employment Manual?

The FWS Employment Manual contains additional information about FWS employment requirements, timesheets, payroll, student responsibilities, workplace expectations, and other program policies.

To request the most current FWS Employment Manual, email fws@gtc.edu.

Because the manual may be updated during the academic year, students and supervisors should request the current version rather than relying on an older saved copy.

Questions About Federal Work-Study?

Students — Contact your Student Financial Specialist (SFS) for questions about:

  • Financial aid eligibility or awards
  • Changes to enrollment or financial aid
  • SAP or other financial aid requirements

Student Financial Specialists
fao@gtc.edu
800-247-7122

Students — Contact the FWS Coordinator for questions about:

  • Finding or applying for FWS positions
  • Your Letter of Employment (LOE)
  • FWS earnings, employment dates, or timesheets
  • FWS policies or program requirements

Students — Contact your supervisor for questions about:

  • Your work schedule or duties
  • Attendance or calling in
  • Your worksite or day-to-day job

Supervisors — Contact the FWS Coordinator for questions about:

  • FWS hiring or positions
  • Student employment or LOEs
  • FWS earnings, budgets, or employment dates
  • FWS policies or program requirements