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 Federal Work Study (FWS)

Federal Work Study is a need-based, federally funded program that allows students to earn money through on-campus or off-campus employment. Students are required to fill out the FAFSA and a student employment application to determine eligibility.  Please contact FA@GulfCoast.edu for more information.

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Complete & Submit a FAFSA

  • Complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at the
  • Make sure to check your "My Student Dashboard" account for any additional requirements that may be needed to complete the FAFSA.
  • Enroll in at least 6.0 credit hours of coursework that applies to your major every semester.

Fill out the Student Worker application online

Student Employment Application

Employment Eligibility Review

  • Administrators will review applications for employment eligibility.
  • Applications for eligible students are then forwarded to hiring departments for consideration.

Qualifying Students

  • Qualifying students may be selected to interview by a hiring department.
  • Department supervisors are responsible for hiring decisions.

If Selected For Hire

  • If hired, a student will be sent an official employment offer via email (...@my.gulfcoast.edu address)
  • The student would then electronically accept the offer and report to Human Resources for on-boarding

Credit Hour Requirement

  • How many credit hours must I be enrolled in to participate in FWS?
    • The student must be enrolled in at least 6.0 credit hours per semester.
      • This rule also applies to the summer term.

Available Jobs

  • What types of jobs are available?
    • Most positions are clerical and customer service oriented. There are several positions available that offer opportunities to tutor both college and elementary (K-5) level students. An attempt is made to match your major of study with a related department but it is not guaranteed.

Maximum Work Hours per Week

  • How many hours can I work?
    • Students can work up to 20 hours per week. Number of hours a student is eligible for is determined by a student’s unmet need in his/her financial aid budget.
    • Unmet need is calculated by…
      • Cost of Attendance – Student Aid Index (SAI) = Financial Need
      • Financial Need – All Financial Aid Awarded = Unmet Need
    • A student’s unmet need is divided by the number of “work weeks” in a semester and up to 20 work hours per week.
    • The FWS Administrator will determine number of hours/week student is allowed to work and will report number on Student’s Work Authorization Form.

Non Pell Grant Eligible Students

  • I am not eligible for the Pell Grant; Do I still qualify for FWS funds?
    • Maybe. FWS awards are based on unmet need in your financial aid budget. Even though a student may not qualify for the Pell Grant, they still may have unfulfilled “unmet need”.

FWS Advantages

  • Are there advantages to participating in FWS?
    • Yes. Income earned under the FWS program can be excluded in calculating financial aid eligibility on your FAFSA.
    • You earn on-the-job experience that can be applied to future employment endeavors and help you further develop your reference list on a resume.
    • Flexible work schedules that accommodate your school schedule.
    • By working on campus you can save on commuting costs. 

FWS Wages

  • How often are students paid? How much can I earn per hour?
    • Students are paid once a month, generally the last week of the month.
    • Students are paid the current minimum wage for the State of Florida.
      • To view current rates please visit the
  • Are FWS earnings taxable?
    • Yes, FWS earnings are considered taxable income. The Business Office will mail out W-2s by the end of January.
      • If you consent to electronic W-2s on My Student Dashboard, you can view and download a copy of your W-2 under the “Employee” tab.
    • FICA (Social Security and Medicare) taxes do not apply to service performed by students employed by °®¶ą´«Ă˝ where the student is pursuing a course of study.  Please visit the  for more information.
    • For questions regarding tax requirements, please consult the IRS or your tax advisor.

Work-Study vs Student Assistant

  • Can I work both a Work-study and Student Assistant position?
    • No. A student must choose either to work under the Work-study or Student Assistant Program.

Applying for FWS

  • Do I need to apply for FWS each year to continue receiving it or to be considered?
    • Yes, you are required to fill out the FAFSA every academic year and submit an employment application each academic year.
Orientation Orientation will be conducted by the student’s hiring department
Schedule Your department supervisor will develop a schedule with you that should not interfere with class hours. Students are not permitted to work during scheduled class times.
Timesheets Timesheets are must be submitted via "My Student Dashboard" around the 21st of each month  (with the exception of holiday breaks). Your department supervisor will receive an email from payroll specifying when the time sheets are due. Make sure that you report your time worked on a work-study time sheet. You should not work more than 20 hours per week. If your time sheet is submitted after the due date, you will not receive payment until the following pay period.
Direct Deposit FWS students may choose to receive their paycheck by direct deposit or pick it up in the Business Office. To set up direct deposit, please submit the required form to the HR representative during onboarding.
Taxes FWS funds are considered taxable income. You may be required to file taxes. For further assistance, please refer to IRS regulations at  or discuss with a professional tax preparer.
Studying Work-study does not mean that time on the job is dedicated to study time for classes. If you have completed all of your tasks for the day, you may study on the clock with your supervisor’s permission.
Calling Out Contact your direct supervisor if you plan on being absent from work or will be late. You will need to make arrangements with your supervisor to make up missed hours.
Dress Code Ask your supervisor about dress code policies for your particular department. In general, students are expected to have a clean and neat appearance; keep in mind that you are representing °®¶ą´«Ă˝.
Tuition & Fees / Bookstore Vouchers FWS funds cannot be applied to your tuition/fees or bookstore charges. Funds are earned through work and cannot be awarded in advance.
Orientation Student-Employees review °®¶ą´«Ă˝'s "Student-Employee Orientation" as part of their employment offer.
Work Authorizations Work authorizations are included in the Hiring Request form. Once HR has completed their portion of the form, you will receive an email confirming the budget type and the number of hours per week the student is approved to work.
Work Schedules In general, students may work up to 20 hours per week. Reference the student’s work authorization form to determine their allotted hours/week. Students are not permitted to work during scheduled class times. If a student works more than 5 hours in a day, they will need to take an unpaid 30 minute break.  
Timesheets Time sheets must be submitted online through the Employee tab on My Student Dashboard by the 21st of each month. Payroll will provide an email reminder with specific due dates. Time sheets not submitted by the deadline will result in the student’s pay being delayed until the next pay period.
Rehiring of a Student-Employee Students who have worked under FWS must reapply each new aid year. Supervisors are also required to submit a new Hiring Request form for each semester they intend to rehire the student.
Termination of a Student-Employee Please email HR  and CC FA@GulfCoast.edu if you need to terminate a student employee.

 

Gulf Coast State College does not discriminate against any person in its programs, activities, policies or procedures on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, marital status, religion, age, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. All questions or inquiries regarding compliance with laws relating to non-discrimination and all complaints regarding sexual misconduct or discrimination, may be directed to Amanda Reed, Executive Director, Human Resources/Title II/504/Title IX Coordinator and Employment Equity Officer, Gulf Coast State College, 5230 W. US Highway 98, Panama City, FL 32401.