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Returning FWS Students

How to Request Returning FWS Students

Please utilize the information below to ensure that all required steps are followed to prevent any processing delays. These steps can also be found in the Federal Work-Study Returning Student Guide.

  1. Confirm with your work-study student(s) that they are interested in returning for the upcoming year.
  2. Download the 2026-2027 Request for Returning FWS Student spreadsheet.
  3. Complete the spreadsheet by listing student(s) who will be returning to their position. Please only list students who have confirmed they wish to return.
  4. Submit the 2026-2027 Request for Returning FWS Students form. As part of the form, supervisors must:
    1. Attach a copy of the completed 2026-2027 Request for Returning FWS Student spreadsheet. a
    2. Indicate if they wish to have the work-study position reposted for new applicants for 2026-2027. Due to changes to Handshake, positions will not automatically repost each year, and new Job IDs will be assigned for each position. If a supervisor opts out of reposting a position within this request, they must submit the Student Employment Job Posting Request Form to have the position reposted to Handshake.

Both the supervisor and student will receive a confirmation email regarding the FWS renewal – if the student is eligible to return to their position. Supervisors will also receive a final confirmation email starting in the second half of the spring semester with the status of all students that were submitted on the Request for Returning FWS Students form linked above in Step 2.

Returning FWS Process

Completing the FAFSA

The timeframe on eligibility confirmation will depend on each student's FAFSA submission date and/or if the student has any outstanding requirements they must complete before their eligibility can be determined.


Supervisors should encourage their students to submit their FAFSA by the March 1 priority submission deadline and complete any unsatisfied requirements as soon as possible for their work-study eligibility to be confirmed.


Students are encouraged to submit their FAFSA and complete any unsatisfied requirements as soon as possible due to FWS being a limited funding source and will be offered on a first-come, first served basis. Students may contact the WVU Hub if they need assistance completing their unsatisfied requirements.

  1. March 1, 2026

    Student FAFSA Submission Deadline

    Students must complete the FAFSA. The FAFSA priority deadline is March 1 each year for students who wish to be considered for Federal Work-Study. Students should monitor their MIX email after submitting the FAFSA. Sometimes, students may be asked to provide additional documentation before we can review their aid eligibility, including Federal Work-Study eligibility.

  2. March 27, 2026

    Returning Student Request Deadline

    The deadline to request returning students for the upcoming 2026-2027 academic year.

  3. June 5, 2026

    New FWS Positions Available

    Work-study positions will be available to students eligible for FWS in Handshake on or around June 5, 2026. After June 5, 2026, supervisors may begin to submit the Federal Work-Study New Hire Form to hire applicants. Recipients should check their inboxes weekly to look out for applications throughout the summer.

  4. August 18, 2026

    First On-Campus Work Day

    Work-study students can begin working on August 18, 2026, the first day of the fall 2026 semester. For students to work before the first day of the fall semester, they must be hired as a student worker. Wages earned prior to the first day of class are the responsibility of the department or agency to cover.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Will my approved returning student(s) automatically receive a pay rate increase for next year?

Consistent with previous academic years, students reviewed and approved during the returning student process are granted a one-time pay increase dependent on their current wage. This wage increase is to show appreciation for students who maintain employment through the work-study program during a subsequent academic year.

  • Students currently paid at $10 per hour will have a wage increase to $12 per hour.
  • Students currently paid $11 per hour will have a wage increase to $13 per hour.

Students whose wages are already at the increased rate or above, will not have a change made to their pay rate. Supervisors may request additional pay rate increases by submitting the Pay Rate Increase Request on our FWS Supervisor Forms page.


What happens if a student that was requested to return is not eligible for work-study but later gains eligibility?

If a student is not eligible for FWS prior to the end of the WVU Hub review process, supervisors must re-hire the student by submitting the Federal Work-Study New Hire Form. Only students on the final confirmation list provided by the WVU Hub work-study team will be considered employed for the upcoming academic year.


Will the Handshake Job ID remain the same for next year if it is re-posted?

No. Handshake does not automatically renew job postings for each academic year. A new job posting will be created, and the WVU Hub Work-Study team will notify supervisors about their updated position titles and Handshake IDs assigned for their position.


What if a returning student receives a confirmation email but is not included on the final list of returning students?

Student financial aid eligibility, including work-study eligibility, is subject to change. If a requested student is not included on the final list the supervisor receives, it is due to a change in their eligibility status. Students not listed on the final list must be re-hired via the Federal Work-Study New Hire Form should their eligibility status change again.