Federal Work-Study Program

Rowan University participates in the Department of Education's Federal Work-Study Program (FWS). This program provides jobs both on and off-campus for students who indicate a desire to participate in the Work-Study program on their FAFSA and demonstrate financial need. Many student worker positions provide skills and experience which will assist students in their career development. Students are able to work up to 20 hours per week and earn a bi-weekly paycheck for the hours they worked. 

If you wish to participate in this program, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.studentaid.gov and indicate your interest in working a work-study position by answering YES to the work-study question. 

Please note: Submitting a FAFSA application will make a student eligible for Federal Student Aid, including federal student loans. To cancel or reduce federal student loans, please email the Financial Aid Office at stratfinaid@rowan.edu. You do not need to complete the Master Promissory Note or Entrance Counseling for the Direct Stafford Loans unless you intend to borrow your federal loans. Students are not required to borrow federal loans to participate in the Federal Work-Study program. 

Applying for a Work-Study position at Rowan - Stratford campus

If you are interested in participating in the Federal Work-Study Program, start by submitting the 2024/2025 FAFSA application at www.studentaid.gov. Then review the open Rowan-Virtua SOM FWS Job Opportunities below. Read over the job descriptions for all open FWS positions. Once you find a position you are interested in, please contact the department supervisor directly by sending an email of interest along with your most recent resume or CV. The supervisor will contact you for an interview.

Your supervisor will coordinate with the Student Financial Aid Office to determine FWS eligibility. Your financial aid profile is based on numerous moving parts. If you think you may be eligible, you may contact Brandi Blanton at blanton@rowan.edu to confirm. A student may be initially told they are ineligible, then a change may make them eligible, and vice versa. 

Eligible students will receive a Human Resource packet. All completed packets will be sent to Human Resources for review. Students may not begin working before they have been cleared by HR and given an official start date. 

Eligibility for FWS

FWS Basic Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility for Federal Work-Study (FWS) is determined based on your FAFSA and your subsequent financial need. 

1. You must have a valid FAFSA on file. Please allow one week for processing after you submit your FAFSA application.
2. You must be eligible to receive financial aid. You are NOT required to borrow a federal loan to participate in the federal work-study program). To cancel, reduce, or adjust your Federal Aid awards, please email stratfinaid@rowan.edu.
3. You must demonstrate financial need. In the Rowan Self-Service Banner portal, check your Financial Aid Offers. Subtract the total amount of financial aid from the Cost of Attendance. You should have at least $1,500 remaining in your budget to qualify for FWS. If you are borrowing the maximum amount of loans for living expenses, you will need to reduce your student loans to be eligible for FWS. Please schedule an appointment to review your budget.
4. Federal Work Study students may be paid for one Federal Work Study position at a time. Contact your supervisor to terminate your current position before applying for a second position.

The Student Financial Aid Office does not automatically award all eligible students with FWS funds. Funding is made available to students who are interested in FWS on a first-come, first-served basis and are required to have an offer of employment to receive their award. 

Institutional Work-Study for Students who are Ineligible for FWS

If you are interested in participating in Work-Study and do not meet the eligibility requirements for the federal program, you may participate in the Institutional Work-Study Program (IWS). These positions are made available through institutional funding. Jobs vary from general office work to pre-professional opportunities. For more information IWS positions, please contact Brandi Blanton at blanton@rowan.edu.

Open FWS Positions