The Federal Work-Study (FWS) program was created by the federal government in 1964 as a part-time employment program for low-income students. Revised language in the Higher Education Act in 1965 clarified that work performed by FWS students was to be “for the institution itself or work in the public interest for a public or private nonprofit organization.” So from the early days of the program, community service has been part of its purpose. In 1994, a new mandate established that 5% of the total FWS funds received by an institution were to be used for community service positions. In 2000, the mandate was increased to 7% and an additional requirement stated the institution must also employ at least one student in a tutoring or family literacy program.
The 7% mandate refers to the percentage of the total amount of FWS funds received by the institution that must be used to pay wages to students in community service positions. Depending on the total amount of FWS received by an institution, 7% may result in only a few community service positions or it may mean hundreds.
In most instances, colleges and universities must consult with and create agreements with off-campus agencies (such as non-profit organizations and schools) for students to work in the community. These “community service” positions must be marketed to students eligible for FWS. Some institutions have used principles of good practice in service-learning and campus-community partnerships to inform how they work with students doing community service through FWS. They have programs in place that match students’ interests with positions, orient students, regularly communicate with community partners, provide opportunities for student reflection, evaluate program outcomes, etc.
In many cases, community organizations that host the students pay 25% of the students’ wages and federal funds pay for 75%, although this is waived for some literacy programs and some institutions choose to use institutional funds to pay the 25% otherwise paid by the community.
The Federal Student Aid Handbook is updated each year by the Department of Education and gives guidance to Student Aid professionals. Valuable information on Federal Work-Study and community service can typically be found under the information for “Campus Based Programs.” (For 2007-08, the information is found under Volume 6 Chapter 2).
