Work Study

Of all the forms of financial aid available to students in need, the federal work study program is the easiest to qualify for - you just have to be willing to work. This isn't like other kinds of "free" moneys, like scholarships or grants, where all you have to do is cash a check to pay for school. You're going to have to work. It's kind of like the school and the government are offering you employment to help you pay for those books, fees, or whatever. But again, the key is to be willing to put in some time and accept the responsibility that comes with a job.

The federal work study program is a need-based, federally subsidized program that provides jobs to graduate and undergraduate students as an alternative method of student financial aid. This program offers students a job to make money and help pay for their schooling with the idea that they're contributing something back to the school and community. A true and meaningful asset of this work study program is it promotes service-oriented work and allows students employment in a particular field related to their areas of study. For instance, if you're aiming to be a veterinarian and the school's vet school has an opening for someone willing to milk cows at 5am, well...

That's the thing. The key word in this form of federal financial aid is "work", and you have to be willing to do something for the money. Unless you're expecting to hit it big with online poker playing, or you have your extensive baseball-card collection listed with an online auction house and are hoping for a five-figure bid, you're more than likely going to have to find some form of money to pay for school. But first, you have to qualify for this student financial aid program.

How much you are awarded for work study depends on where in the stack of applicants your federal student financial aid form, also called a FAFSA form, is when the work study money is given out by your student financial aid office. So, it's important to get in the game as soon as possible. Also important is how much financial need you actually have. If grandpa is sending you a fat check every month, but you're spending it downloading music or buying a new snowboard, you're going to have problems. However, if you have a genuine need and you show this when you submit your federal student financial aid form, you're more than likely going to get some work study money.

You can get up to a couple of grand in work study money if you qualify, usually paid in an hourly rate directly from the school or organization that hires you. You're not allowed to work more than the amount you qualify for, so measure your student financial aid with this in mind - once it's gone, you have to wait until the next term for more work study income. That means making a budget.

Government financial aid can really help you if you're a student looking for an option to pay for college. The federal student financial aid program is very successful and is just one more option to help you out. So, get to work!