Federal Work Study (FWS)

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a federal student aid program that allows eligible students with financial need to earn money for education expenses through approved part-time jobs. Students earn FWS funds as wages for hours worked; FWS is not a grant or a loan.

To pursue FWS employment, you must: 

FWS Employment Opportunities

An FWS award amount does not guarantee or automatically place you in an FWS job. It establishes the maximum amount of FWS wages you may earn during the period specified in your Financial Aid Offer. 

Eligible FWS students must apply for and obtain an approved FWS position.

FWS jobs are available on campus in Southwestern offices or off campus in community-service positions. Current FWS opportunities are posted through the Career Services Office and on the Financial Aid Office bulletin board. In certain cases, a student may be permitted to work outside of California. Approvals depend, in part, on the employment requirements of the state where the student will work.

Southwestern also offers a limited number of summer opportunities for students interested in public-interest work through the Public Interest Law Committee (PILC) Summer Grant program, described below.

Pay and Work Hours

Students employed under FWS are paid for hours worked. In general, students are not permitted to work in FWS positions during scheduled class times.

FWS positions currently pay between $20 to $26 per hour, depending on the position, and must pay at least the applicable federal minimum wage. Students are paid twice a month directly through Southwestern’s payroll. FWS wages are not automatically applied to tuition or the student’s account. 

FWS students may not earn more than their approved FWS award amount unless the Financial Aid Office increases their FWS award. Students must accurately report the hours they work and follow applicable employment and payroll requirements. 

Summer Public-Interest Opportunities

Students interested in public-interest work during the summer may apply for a competitive grant through Southwestern’s Public Interest Law Committee (PILC) Summer Grant Program. PILC Summer Grant recipients may work with an off-campus public-interest employer while earning wages through Southwestern’s Federal or Institutional Work-Study programs. 

Eligibility requirements vary depending on the funding source, and some positions do not require federal work-study eligibility or FAFSA submission. 

Eligible students participating in the PILC Summer Grant program earn $20 per hour, and the off-campus employer approves their timesheets.

PILC Summer Grant applications are generally available in January and are announced through Today@Southwestern. For more information, visit the PILC page. 

Other Off-Campus Employment

Students interested in off-campus employment opportunities that are not part of the Federal Work Study program should visit the Career Services Office for job postings and other career resources.

Work-Study Programs Policy

For additional information about eligibility, employment requirements, work hours, timekeeping, and other requirements applicable to work-study employment, see Southwestern’s Work-Study Programs Policy on the Institutional Policies webpage.

Questions?

Contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@swlaw.edu. Current students can also find FWS information and forms on the Portal (log-in required).

Last reviewed: October 2026.