Federal Work Study
Federal Work Study is a form of financial aid provided by federal funding. A student must apply for financial aid each year with a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to become eligible. Eligible Federal Work Study (FWS) students earn money by working a limited number of hours per week. Employment may be found on campus at university and departmental offices, or off-campus at selected nonprofit organizations and public agencies that have contracted to hire Cal State East Bay students.
Students will find additional information by referring to the "Guidelines for Federal Work Study" available in the Student Information Lobby, First Floor, Warren Hall on the Hayward Campus, and as a link at the bottom of this page.
To Apply for Federal Work Study
Follow these steps to apply for a work study award and job:
- Apply for financial aid with a FAFSA to determine your eligibility
- Check your Financial Aid award in MyCSUEB or your award letter to find out if you have a Work Study offer (not all students are eligible).
- Accept your Federal Work Study offer in MyCSUEB.
- Request and pick up a Federal Work Study Hiring Authorization Form (or HAF) at the Student Information Lobby on the First Floor of Warren Hall on the Hayward Campus to secure employment either on or off campus. This form is valid for two weeks.
- Secure a job with an approved employer with your Hiring Form and your resume.
- When hired, sign in at the Payroll Office in Warren Hall Room 675 on the Hayward Campus before starting to work.
Students should plan on working their scheduled hours and can not earn beyond their allocated FWS award.
Work Study Employment Opportunities
Cal State East Bay offers a variety of work study employment opportunities for financial aid students.
Community Service Positions
Community service positions include employers both on campus and offsite. Working in these positions improves the quality of life for community residents, particularly that of low-income individuals, or to solve problems related to their needs. Students accepting community service positions will automatically be considered for an increase in their FWS award after their employers submit the appropriate paperwork to the Office of Financial Aid, and if there is available funding in the year.
On-Campus Positions
Eligible Federal Work Study (FWS) students may use their FWS award in over 135 department and administrative offices on campus as support staff in reception areas, computer labs, stocking and inventory, data entry, filing/phone work, and delivery jobs, just to name a few. Not all jobs are listed on our boards, so feel free to inquire at any department or office on campus that interests you. Have fun, meet people on campus, and obtain new skills with a work study job.
Off-Campus Positions
Eligible Federal Work Study students may use their FWS award with pre-approved off site and community service employers. No other work sites will be added after the year has started.
Current Job Listings
Job descriptions for approved sites are also listed under the glass boards near Room 245, in Warren Hall on the Hayward Campus, and online through AACE in Warren Hall Room 509. Students may not use their FWS award at off-campus sites other than those posted each year.
Applying for a Work Study Position
Bring your resume and be prepared to discuss your job skills and availability when approaching a potential employer. If a department or employer agrees to hire you, they will request your hiring form and need to submit a Job Description indicating the tasks you will be performing along with additional appointing paperwork. Students who do not secure a position early in the year or quarter in which they have been awarded might discover later that their FWS award has been canceled or reduced.
