National Application Center :: pay for college
Federal Work-Study Program
The Federal College Work-Study Program subsidizes student salaries for qualified students who work--generally on campus--to help meet college costs. If you qualify for the program based on demonstrated financial need, you will earn a wage paid jointly by the college and the Federal College Work-Study program.
College work study is a great way to help meet college costs. The hours of work are limited to those manageable by a student (usually 10-14 hours per week) and the jobs are typically on campus, saving commuting costs and providing the chance to work with students, faculty, and administrators outside of class.
Many families are unaware that work study is an option for students who are attending summer sessions at their college -- providing a chance not only to reduce the total number of years in college but to provide extra earnings!
When discussing work study at each of your college choices, be sure to find out how work-study monies are paid: some colleges apply the earnings, or a percentage of them, against billable costs; others distribute paychecks directly to students.
Even if it is not the standard policy at colleges you are considering, ask if you can apply work-study earnings directly toward your bill.