The Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program is a federally funded financial aid program that provides part-time employment opportunities to eligible students with financial need. The program allows students to work part-time on any COTC campus to help pay educational expenses while gaining valuable work experience.

Students are paid for the hours they work and receive their earnings in the form of a paycheck. Federal Work-Study funds are not applied directly to a student’s tuition or institutional charges. Students may use their earnings to help pay educational expenses such as tuition, books, transportation, housing and personal expenses.

Eligibility for Federal Work-Study is determined annually based on a student’s financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), the availability of federal funding and institutional awarding policies. Receiving a Federal Work-Study award does not guarantee employment. Students must apply for and be hired into an eligible work-study position. If you are eligible for Federal Work-Study, the amount you qualify for appears on your Financial Aid Notification in myCOTC. If you need assistance determining whether you are eligible for Federal Work-Study, contact Student Financial Services.

Because funding is limited, students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA as early as possible each year and apply for available work-study positions promptly.

Learn about student employment