Federal Work Study

The Federal Work Study program provides temporary part-time employment to students with financial need. Federal Work Study helps students gain work experience while pursuing their academic goals.

Funding is limited and awards are based on a first-come first-serve basis.

When you submit a FAFSA and complete all items on your Financial Aid Checklist, our office will automatically place federal work study onto your award letter with an ‘awarded’ status. This means you are eligible for the program, but there are additional steps to participate. 

24-25 federal work study recruitments have ended. If you wish to be considered for the 25-26 school year, complete your 25-26 FAFSA and all items on your financial aid checklist.

  • Submit a FAFSA application for the academic year you would like to work.
  • Complete all required financial aid verification items shown in your financial aid checklist.
  • Must have Federal Work Study in an ‘awarded’ status on your financial aid awards.
  • Must be SAP eligible and in Satisfactory standing with Financial Aid.
    • If you are in a max time frame warning, you may still be eligible for federal work study depending on how many units are remaining in your SAP status. E-mail workstudy@shastacollege.edu if this applies to you.
  • Must always maintain enrollment in a minimum of 6 academic units. 
  • Students who have met the above criteria will receive an e-mail invitation to attend online orientation. Orientation completion is required to participate in the Federal Work Study program.
    • Once we are at max capacity of students, recruitments will hault. If any spots become available later in the year, an e-mail notification will be sent to all eligible students with steps to apply.
  • Income: Helps pay educational expenses and pocket money for things you want and need.
  • Opportunity: Although you are not guaranteed a job if you are awarded Work–Study, you are much more likely to be hired if you have Work–Study eligibility. In addition, your job will be close to where you study.
  • Schedule: Your employer knows your first priority is as a college student. Employers try to be as flexible as possible in scheduling work hours around your class schedule.
  • Future Financial Aid Eligibility: As a financial aid need-based program, Work–Study income (although taxable) does not affect your future financial aid eligibility in the next tax year.
  • Work Experience: Students who have job experience and who have worked while attending school are more attractive to future employers. Your supervisor may become an excellent reference. For those who have no work experience this would be a great opportunity for you to gain that need experience.
  • If you decide not to use your Work–Study award, there is no negative effect on your financial aid awards.  
  • The hourly rate is paid at the current minimum wage once a month (This is separate from your Pell Grant disbursement).
  • Students are required to submit their time entries on MyShasta at the end of each week. The Administrator of your department will approve these entries at the end of each month.
  • You may not work more than the hours authorized by the Federal Work-Study Program Coordinator.
  • You will receive your paycheck on the 10th of the following month. If the 10th falls on a holiday or weekend, you will be paid the most previous business day.

Contact Us

If you have questions, please contact Brittany Baker at (530) 242-7707 or workstudy@shastacollege.edu.