Earn Work-Study Funds
Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a federal financial aid program that allows you to earn money to help cover non-billable educational expenses by working on-campus at USC Upstate, or at an off-campus, non-profit organization. You must work on-campus to earn the work-study funds through a paycheck. If not employed by September 30 for the fall semester, or by February 1 for the spring semester, the work-study award will be rescinded.
FWS provides several benefits, including:
- Opportunities for employment that are related to your course of study
- Flexible employers willing to work around your class schedule
- Beneficial resume-building experience and training
- Opportunities to enhance your interpersonal communication and time management skills
- Career opportunities after graduation
- Earnings are removed from your income on the FAFSA and are not considered when calculating your “financial need” for future financial aid
To be eligible for Work-Study, you must:
- Be an undergraduate or graduate student
- Meet and maintain federal financial aid eligibility requirements
- Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Complete the verification process
- Demonstrate financial need
Due to limited funding, not all students who are eligible will receive this award. If not awarded Work-Study, you may still work on-campus in any student position that does not require Work-Study.
To be considered for work-study, you must submit the FAFSA. If awarded work-study as part of your financial aid award package, you must accept the FWS award in Self Service Carolina (SSC).
Work-study funds are earned through on-campus employment. With a work-study award, you may apply to any on-campus student position. After accepting the award in Self-Service Carolina (SSC), search for open positions on the USC Jobs system. When applying to a position, indicate that you have a work-study award.
Work-study participants may never work more than 20 hours per week during the fall, spring and summer semesters.
To ensure optimal use of your award through the semester, plan your work schedule before you begin earning funds. For example, undergraduate work-study students earning $8.00/hour who have a $1,750 award and work 20 hours/week, will have approximately 11 weeks of funding. It is important to accurately track your hours worked.
Wages are direct-deposited into your checking or savings account bi-monthly. Earnings are not applied as credit on your tuition bill.