COMMUNITY-BASED FEDERAL WORK STUDY
Chicago-Kent will continue to have positions available in FWS Community-Based Organizations in 2011-12. Chicago-Kent students who are Federal Work Study eligible may receive payment for their work at government and public interest organizations outside of the law school through Federal Work Study Funds.
However, the number of positions will be limited each term due to FWS budgetary limitations.
FEDERAL WORK STUDY WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THE SPRING SEMESTER. To apply, fill out the form at the link below and return it to the Career Services Office by FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16.
In order to qualify, you will need a federal work study award for the 2011-2012 school year, and you need to be enrolled in law school for the fall semester. Students can request to be approved for up to 15 hours per week of work. Students must be working at an approved community-based organization, and be approved to use federal work study funds while working at that organization, read below for full details.
TO APPLY FILL OUT THIS FORM
Click here to see a list of organizations in the Community-Based FWS Program
Please review the following questions & answers about how the program works and what your responsibilities are as a student participant:
Community Based Federal Work Study Program
Frequently Asked Questions
Federal Work Study (FWS) is a need-based financial aid program established by the federal government. The FWS program provides employment opportunities for eligible students, allowing them to earn, rather than borrow, a portion of their educational costs. On an annual basis, the federal government decides whether to award federal work study funds to Illinois Institute of Technology/Chicago-Kent College of Law and how much money will be awarded. Funds are limited for Community-Based FWS. Even if you have a federal work study award granted to you by the financial aid office, you still have to apply to use the funds during Fall, Spring, and Summer terms. More general information about federal work study is available here.
ELIGIBILITY & APPLICATION
Q: How do I know if I am eligible for Federal Work Study?
A: If you are unsure as to whether you are eligible for Federal Work Study, contact the financial aid office at finaid@kentlaw.edu
Q: How do I become eligible for Federal Work Study?
A: Federal Work Study is awarded to students on a yearly basis. If you have a Federal Work Study award for 2011-2012, these funds can be earned from July 1, 2011 - June 30, 2012. Federal work study is no longer valid after graduation occurs.
When you fill out your FAFSA (Free Application Federal Student Aid) through the Financial Aid Office for 2011-2012, be sure to indicate that you would like Federal Work Study (FWS) if you would like to participate in this program. In addition, please note that FWS is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis by the financial aid office.
Q: If I have been granted a Federal Work Study Award, will I be able to earn the entire amount of the award I'm eligible for?
A: Due to the extreme popularity of Federal Work Study, funds are limited. The demand to be paid with federal work study funds is far greater than the amount of federal work study money available; therefore, Community-Based Federal Work Study positions will be selectively approved. The criteria will include, but is not limited to employment experience and class year.
At this time, we are accepting applications for Community-Based Federal Work Study for the fall semester. The application deadline is Friday, August 12th.
FINDING A POSITION
Q: How can I find out about FWS community based positions?
A: A list of organizations approved for the federal work study program is available at the link above.
Q: If I am already planning to volunteer in the spring, summer or fall, with a community based legal organization and the organization is not on the list above, can I be paid for the work though Federal Work Study Funds?
A: If you are eligible for Federal Work Study, and the organization you are planning to work with is not on the list, please send an email to Michelle Vodenik indicating your interest, and fill out this form. There is no guarantee that we will be able to arrange for a paid experience at any organization. The organization must be approved for federal work study by a compliance officer at IIT and it is up to the organization to decide if they would like to participate in our Federal Work Study Program, but we can approach the organization and ask them if they will consider participating. You can not be paid for any hours spent at an organization until the signed contact has been returned by that organization.
Q: Will all government agencies or non-profit agencies be approved for Federal Work Study?
A: No, in order for an agency or organization to be approved, the work performed must improve the quality of life for community residents, particularly low-income residents, or solve problems related to their needs. If you have questions about whether an agency has been approved or would qualify, please contact Michelle Vodenik.
Q: I am doing a judicial internship, is this experience eligible for Federal Work Study?
A: No, the work of a judicial intern does not qualify for Federal Work Study.
Q: Can I receive both externship credit and Federal Work Study funds for the same position?
A: No.
Q: If I have been offered a FWS Award, do I automatically have a job?
A: No. A FWS award simply means that you have the opportunity to seek employment and earn the amount you have been offered through the FWS program, if you are selected for a FWS position. You must interview for a job and be hired before any FWS funds can be earned. The ultimate decision to hire you is made by the hiring department of the off-campus agency, and not by the Financial Aid Office, the Career Services Office or the Administration & Finance Office.
Q: If I have been offered a FWS Award, and I find a position, will I automatically be approved to use my FWS award?
A: No. The federal government awards the University a set amount of federal work study funds for the entire school year. Unfortunately, the amount awarded by the federal government is not enough to cover all of the demand for students who would like to be paid for Community-Based FWS. Therefore, during the Fall, Spring and Summer terms, you must apply and be approved to be paid with FWS money for all community-based federal work study placements. Community-based placements include any postions with government or non-profit agencies outside of the law school.
Other internal positions at the law school, i.e. research assistant for a Professor, the Center for Access to Justice and Technology, or within a department at the law school, will still be available for federal work study and do not have to approved by the career services office. Internal positions at the law school are posted in the Record.
To apply, click here, and bring the form to the Career Services Office in Room 360.
HOURS & PAYCHECK
Q: How many hours may I work?
A: During the summer, students may be approved to work a maximum of 30 hours per week. During the fall and spring semesters, students may be approved to work a maximum of 15 hours per week. Students are limited to the amount of hours for which they have been approved, as well as the weeks for which they are approved.
In addition, each student is allowed a set amount of potential FWS earnings each academic year. Students working in an FWS job are responsible for monitoring their own earnings under the FWS program. If a student works the maximum number of allowable hours each week, s/he may use up his/her work-study eligibility before the end of the year. Once all FWS money has been used, employment under FWS will be terminated. A student may then elect to continue with the agency in a volunteer capacity, with the agreement of the agency.
If you work during the summer, you should be aware that FWS earnings will begin to accrue against your annual allocation on July 1, meaning that money you earn after July 1 is charged against your upcoming fall/spring allocation. You must check with the Financial Aid Office to make sure you will be eligible for FWS funds for the upcoming academic year if you plan to work during the summer. In addition, you must intend to enroll in classes for the Fall semester in order to receive FWS funds after June 30.
Q: Who pays me, and how much will I earn?
A: Chicago-Kent College of Law pays you. You are an employee of Chicago-Kent College of Law, and will be issued a W-2 at the end of each calendar year. Federal income tax will be withheld from your pay unless you meet IRS student tax-exempt status. Social Security will be withheld from your wages if you work more than 20 hours per week.
Federal Work Study students are paid $10.00 an hour.
Q: How often will I be paid?
A: FWS employees are paid every two weeks. You must submit a properly completed timesheet by the appropriate deadlines established by the Administration & Finance Office. Every two weeks, your employer will also submit a timesheet to the Administration & Finance Office verifying that you have worked the hours that you have submitted. Failure to comply with payroll procedures will delay a student’s paycheck for an entire pay period. Failure to submit completed timesheets by their due dates on multiple occasions may, in the discretion of Chicago-Kent, be grounds for termination from an FWS position.
Q: I have a federal work study award and I have a position at one of the agencies on the list, what do I do now?
A: To be approved to be paid in a Community-Based FWS position, you must fill out this form and submit it to the Career Services Office. All requests will be reviewed, and community- based federal work study positions will be selectively awarded. The criteria will include, but is not limited to employment experience and class year. You will be notified if you are selected within a week of submission.
Q: If I do not receive a Federal Work Study Offer and already have a position lined up at government or legal aid organization, what are my options?
A: If you would like to earn Access 2 Practice Externship Credit for your work, contact Professor Vivien Gross.
Students may also volunteer their time at government and legal aid organizations. If you do volunteer, be sure to record your volunteer hours through Chicago-Kent's Public Interest Resource Center (PIRC).
Students who volunteer 50 hours, receive Chicago-Kent's Certificate of Service, while students who complete at least 250 hours of volunteer service are eligible to receive the Dean’s Distinguished Public Service Award.
If you would like to borrow the money that the financial aid office had offered you for federal work study, contact the financial aid office and let them know that you would like to decline your federal work study award. Once you have declined your award, you can then borrow the money as a student loan.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Q: What are my responsibilities to the agency where I will be working?
A: While your paycheck comes from the law school, you are responsible to treat your FWS opportunity as a job. Therefore, you should coordinate a work schedule with your supervisor and meet that schedule to the best of your ability. If you are unable to work, you are expected to notify your supervisor in advance. If you resign your position, you should give your employer a two week notice. You may be discharged by the agency for poor performance, misconduct, excessive absences, tardiness, or at will. You should let the FWS program coordinator know of any changes in your employment status.
Q: What responsibilities does the agency have to me?
A: The agencies agree to supervise in a reasonable manner the work performed by students and submit to the Office of Administration & Finance the appropriate payroll forms every two weeks.
MORE INFORMATION
Q: Where can I find more information about the FWS Program?
A: If you are interested in the FWS Program, please stop by the Career Services Office or email Michelle Vodenik, Director, Public Interest/Diversity Advisor, Career Services Office.
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