Work-Study Students
Welcome to Northwestern's Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program! In addition to program-specific content on the following web pages, general student employment information is available on Northwestern's Student Employment website.
FWS offers students the opportunity to earn wages while gaining work experience, with several key benefits:
- No Repayment: FWS is not a loan and never has to be repaid. Your wages are paid directly to you. You keep and spend your earnings how you think best.
- Fair Wages: FWS students receive a fair and equitable wage based on job responsibilities, not based on the amount of FWS offered in your financial aid package.
- Flexibility: You can choose when to start or leave a job. There are no consequences for not meeting the full FWS earnings amount, however, it also doesn't hurt!
- No Impact on Financial Aid: FWS income does not affect future financial aid in subsequent years. Likewise, FWS wage earnings will not affect any financial aid refund you may have on your student account.
- Possibility to earn more: Sometimes FWS earnings limits can be increased! See the Earnings Limit Appeals section for additional information.
- Work Schedule: Most jobs offer a low-time commitment (6-10 hours per week), with flexible hours to accommodate class schedules. Employers respect you are a working learner and will not jeopardize your education.
- Tax Benefits: FICA (Medicare and Social Security) taxes are not withheld from your wages.
- Multiple jobs: You may work in multiple jobs that pay you FWS wages.
- Win-win program: At Northwestern, the government subsidizes 75% of the student’s hourly wage while the employer pays the other 25%. Therefore, departments can hire more students than they might otherwise!