Federal Work Study Program Information Sheet 

All Federal Work Study (FWS) students at Martin Community College must meet with the supervisor for an interview and to schedule work hours.  Also, W4's, a copy of the students Social Security card and drivers license, a Drug-Free Workplace Certification, and the I-9 Form must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office before students will be allowed to start work.  Other documents may be requested as well.  Students must sign a Confidentiality Statement in the Office of Student Financial Services. Timesheets are available in Financial Aid Office for supervisors to complete each month.

FWS students will generally perform jobs on the campus of MCC, and always while under the supervision of a supervisor.  FWS students do not replace regular employees of the College, and are not responsible for the operation of the office they are assigned to work within.  FWS students are not allowed to be responsible for opening and/or closing any offices on campus.  Supervisors are not to ask FWS students to receive permission from their instructors to be excused from scheduled classes in order to work.  FWS students must not have access to the College's computer system without proper written documentation from the Director of Information Systems.

FWS students should schedule work hours (around class times) with the supervisor at the beginning of each term.  Students may not work during scheduled class hours or holidays.  If an instructor cancels a class(es), or the College cancels class(es), students must not report to the FWS position.                             

The supervisor and student can work out their method for keeping a daily log of hours worked.  Time worked must not be recorded in less than fifteen minute increments on the timesheet.  The FWS timesheet form is available in the Financial Aid Office.  Timesheets are to be signed by the student and supervisor by the 15th day of each month.  The supervisor is responsible for completing the evaluation of the students work performance when the timesheet is signed.  If the supervisor gives three ratings of "unsatisfactory", the student may be terminated from the FWS Program. The supervisor is responsible for turning the timesheet into the Financial Aid Office by the 15th day of each month.    If timesheets are not in by the due date, the paycheck may be delayed until the following month.  Timesheets must be turned in on time!               

FWS paychecks are mailed from the Payroll Office on the 1st day of each month.  All FWS students must maintain the standards of satisfactory academic progress in order to continue their work assignment.  FWS students must follow the student code of conduct while in class and at the workplace to remain employed.

The FWS award, as noted on the Award Letter, cannot be exceeded.  Once this amount has been earned, the work assignment will terminate for the year.

FWS awards are calculated, based on need, as follows:   number of hours to be worked per week x hourly wage rate x number of weeks to work in the term. (For example, 20 hours per week x $8 per hour x 16 weeks in Fall Semester = $2,560 FWS award.) 

Students should not exceed the number of work hours per week listed on their Award Letter as this will exhaust their work study funds prematurely.  Notices may be sent periodically to FWS students and supervisors concerning the balance left to earn.  FWS students will generally be awarded for working 10 to 20 hours per week.  

FWS awards are usually made through the last day of class for Spring Semester.  Students who are enrolled during Summer Term may be allowed to work until mid-June if FWS funds are still available.  Depending on the availability of funds, FWS awards may be adjusted in order to prevent overspending.

If FWS  students are sick or cannot report to work, they should contact the supervisor immediately.  When possible, students should inform the supervisor at least a day before the day of absence.

If FWS students plan to withdraw from school or wish to terminate the work assignment, they should notify the Financial Aid Office and the supervisor immediately. 

If, at any time, students, or supervisors, have questions or concerns about the FWS Program, the work assignment, or any part of the financial aid package, they should not hesitate to contact the Financial Aid Office at 252-792-1521 ext. 245.