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After Applying for FWS Jobs

Overview

After applying for a Federal Work-Study (FWS) position through Handshake, a supervisor will review prospective applicants.

Depending on the supervisor, they may not be able to respond quickly. Supervisors are highly encouraged to respond even if they are not hiring you for the position; however, not all do. If you do not receive a response after a few weeks, log back into Handshake and apply for more jobs! As a reminder, you will be assigned to the first supervisor who hires you, so only apply for jobs you truly want. If you are really interested in a job that you have not received a response on for multiple weeks, submit an online request for assistance requesting the supervisor's contact information so you can reach out to them directly.

After you apply, the supervisor may reach out to you directly to set up an in-person or phone interview. If you are selected for the position, WVU Shared Services will notify you if additional action is required. If you have already processed for payroll through WVU, you will receive an email with your official start date. If you are not processed for payroll, please refer to the Payroll and Employment Details section.

Payroll and Employment Details

Processing for Payroll

Students must process for payroll and receive an official hire date before they can begin working. Visit the WVU Shared Services Employee Processing website to begin the process.

  • After you process for payroll, you and your supervisor will receive an onboarding email from Shared Services that includes the earliest potential date you can start working. You MUST receive the onboarding email before you can begin working. At no time should you begin working in a Federal Work-Study job assignment unless the onboarding email from Shared Services containing the earliest potential start date and employee information has been received.
  • Once you have received the official onboarding email, work with your supervisor to determine your first day of work and your schedule for the semester. Remember, the first day of work must be on or after the official "Start Date" from the onboarding email.

Getting Paid

When students process for payroll, they sign up for direct deposit (the fastest way to receive your pay). For information on pay days throughout the year and what days are covered on each pay, visit the Pay Schedules website.

  • After you begin working, please be aware that you cannot earn more than the amount of work-study funds you have been offered as part of your financial aid. Your award amount is viewable on your Financial Aid Information via your WVU Portal and was provided to you as part of the hiring process. You will be notified via your MIX email should your work-study offer change. Click here to download the FWS Tracking Custom Salary file to help keep track of this information.
  • Since work-study is a job, if you are hired, you will receive a paycheck throughout the semester based on the hours you work. These funds do not pay directly to your semester charges. However, if you would like to save your earnings to make a payment on your balance due for an upcoming semester, you can!

Work Hours

Students can work between 1 to 28 hours per week throughout the fall and spring semesters. There are some exceptions where students can work up to 40 hours per week (over some breaks). Employed FWS students are sent notifications throughout the semester when those exceptions occur with more details.

Student employees may work on days the University is officially closed, which includes scheduled University holidays as well as emergency closures such as snow days. Students may use the West Virginia University Student Employment Handbook to find more information about this policy.