What is Federal Work Study?

Federal Work Study (FWS) is a way for students to earn money to pay for school through part-time NECC-approved jobs. Many of these positions are located on campus in Haverhill and Lawrence. Some are with our community partners that are close to campus, like MassHire Merrimack Valley Career Center and JumpStart (early childhood education).

What Are the Benefits?

• Students earn money for educational expenses as part of their financial aid award.

• Students gain valuable experience and skills in their area of study to the extent possible.

• Your employer knows you are a college student first. Employers are encouraged to be as flexible as possible and work around your class schedule.

• Because FWS is a need-based financial aid program, FWS income (although taxable) does not affect your future financial aid eligibility.

Applying on Handshake:

Available FWS jobs are posted on Handshake, NECC’s job and internship board. Use your MyNECC login to get started! https://necc.joinhandshake.com/

Once you log in, select jobs and use the filter to select the “Work Study” checkbox. Review the open opportunities and submit your resume to the opportunities you are interested in working. An NECC employee will follow up with more details and potentially invite you to an interview.

Not seeing FWS positions? Contact the Financial Aid office to confirm your eligibility. financialaid@necc.mass.edu

Starting your first resume or looking for feedback? Schedule a meeting with Career Services through Navigate.

My Experience as a Federal Work Study Student

Opinion article by Robert Suriel (written May 2023)

Hello! My name is Robert Suriel, and I am writing an opinion piece as a work-study in Career Services. A Federal Work Study Job is for college students with financial needs, allowing them to earn money to help pay for expenses related to their education. I knew when I was eligible to work as a work-study when I got financial aid and confirmed with the Financial Aid office if I was eligible. 

 When starting a Work Study, it’s important to consider your college schedule as different departments may have varying flexibility regarding remote work or working hours outside of 9am-5pm, Monday through Friday. Here are some tips to keep in mind: 

 1. Time management: Take note of the number of classes you have and assess whether you can effectively balance your homework and work responsibilities. If you have a heavy course load, it may be challenging to handle additional work without negatively impacting your grades. Be mindful of the workload you can handle in a week. 

 2. Effective communication: Keep your supervisors informed about your class schedule. If there are emergencies or exams that clash with your work schedule, communicate with your supervisors promptly. Discuss the possibility of rescheduling or inform them in advance about your unavailability due to exams or other commitments. Prioritize your education, and as a work-study student, your exams and classes are a top priority. 

 Remember, the best ways to contact your supervisors are through email, Microsoft Teams, or a quick phone call to notify them about any exams or schedule conflicts. 

 By managing your time effectively and maintaining open communication with your supervisors, you can navigate your work-study experience more smoothly. 

 Advice for searching for a work-study job 

When using Handshake, simply login to your student account and explore the available job opportunities. Exercise caution when applying and ensure you have a clear understanding of the roles you are applying for. Additionally, consider your mode of transportation, as some positions may require reliable access to a car. It’s important to verify the legitimacy of the places you apply to and consider the transportation options available to you. 

 Creating a well-crafted resume is crucial when applying for any job. If you need assistance in writing a resume, there are various options to consider. NECC Career Services comes highly recommended as they offer support in resume and cover letter writing, along with resources for interview preparation and more. If you are just getting started, you can utilize ChatGPT to generate a skeleton draft for practice purposes. You can edit it to make it your own and connect with NECC Career Services for feedback. 

 By being mindful of these factors and utilizing available resources, you can navigate the job application process more effectively.