Work Study allows an individual to work for any office or organization on campus or for certain approved off-campus employers. Students who accept Work Study on their Financial Aid Award are asked to complete a questionnaire and then placed in a Work Study position, based on the responses to that questionnaire.

Typically, you are paid minimum wage for the hours you work. The money earned on an hourly basis is then deducted from the total amount of the award until it is exhausted. At that point, you must stop working or be hired on as a Non-Work Study employee.

Students submitting the FAFSA by the March 1 priority date, who show need, are generally awarded Work Study.

You may be wondering what makes Work Study better than getting a job at a local fast food restaurant?

• This program is specifically designed for college students.
• The work schedules revolve around your school schedule.
• The jobs available are located primarily on campus, which allows you to work between classes without having to commute.
• It is also possible to get a job in an area related to your field of study, giving much needed working experience and valuable references.
• The best benefit of all is that the amount earned does not count against you on next year's FAFSA!

If you are not awarded work study, there could be several reasons:

1. You did not apply to Dawson Community College by March 1.
2. You are ineligible for Work Study.
3. We have exhausted our work study funds and have no more money to award to students. (In this case, you may ask to be put on a waiting list in case more funds become available.)