Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a federally funded program that issues awards according to financial aid campus policy. Funds are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Priority is given to students who demonstrate the highest need.
What qualifies you for FWS at CSUN
To qualify for a FWS award, you must meet the following criteria:
- Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): by May 2nd.
- Meet the qualifying Student Aid Index (SAI): SAI is equal or less than zero. The SAI is determined by the FAFSA.
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress: Meet CSUN's academic standards for satisfactory progress.
- Enrollment Status: Be enrolled at least half-time (6 units for undergraduate; 4 units for graduate) during any semester of employment.
- Completion of FWS Confirmation Survey: FWS participants must complete the online FWS Student confirmation survey annually.
CSUN students that meet the FWS eligibility criteria mentioned above are pre-screened and sent an email invitation with instructions on how to participate in the program in the month of July annually to the @my.csun.edu account.
If you did not received your email invitation, or have additional questions about your eligibility contact us at work.study@csun.edu or (818) 677-2373. Please include your 9-digit CSUN student ID number in all communications.
How does FWS affect my Financial Aid
Federal Work-Study (FWS) is part of your financial aid package. Your total financial aid cannot exceed your Cost of Attendance (COA). Grant aid remains unaffected when you receive FWS, but in most cases, student loan offers may be reduced or canceled to stay within your COA. This ensures all available aid coordinates to cover your educational expenses.
One advantage of a FWS job is that the earnings you receive do not count as income reported on future FAFSA forms. Instead, CSUN reports the total gross amount of all FWS earnings for each student during any part of the calendar year directly and without requiring action from you on your FAFSA. This reporting helps accurately assess financial aid and does not affect your eligibility for future federal aid.
Getting a FWS Job: Your Path to Employment
If you are interested in getting a FWS job, you must complete the mandatory FWS online information confirmation survey as part of the qualification criteria. Qualifying students' FAFSA is pre-screened, and in July annually, they receive an emailed invitation to their CSUN email account. This email invitation includes the web link to the mandatory online confirmation survey.
For detailed information on eligibility criteria, application processes, and available positions, please visit the CSUN Federal Work-Study Program Student Information webpage.
Fraudulent Job Offers
It has come to our attention that CSUN students are receiving fraudulent job offers from people posing as reputable employers or pose as faculty members advertising internships. Financial Aid and Scholarship Department has not given your information to these employers.
Despite preventive measures taken by CSUN IT, fraudulent and/or phishing email attacks continue to be sent from compromised faculty and staff accounts. If it looks suspicious, do not click on it.
Find more information regarding fraudulent job offers or phishing emails examples here: https://www.csun.edu/it/avoid-fraud-email
Please use your own discretion when applying for any jobs online and if you are questioning the validity of a job offer please feel free to contact the FWS Office at work.study@csun.edu or at (818) 677-2373.
Forms and Links
Forms
Campus Time Sheet
Once you're employed as a student assistant, track your hours on this time sheet.
Student Award Balance Tracking Sheet
Make sure you don't exceed your work-study award by keeping track of your monthly earnings.
