Find Work that Complements Your Studies
Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a need-based program that is awarded to eligible students based on the filing of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Work-study funds are limited, and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
The FWS program provides jobs to students with financial need, allowing you to earn money to help pay for educational expenses. Positions are available both on- and off-campus. If you are eligible for FWS, you can earn up to the amount listed on your award letter.
Students who accept their offer of FWS are not guaranteed a job or the entire amount of their award. Rather, they are given access to jobs.
View Available Work-Study Positions
- Requirements
To qualify for this program, you must be registered for classes at Western each term, and you must be eligible for work-study. If you do not have work-study awarded on your financial aid package, please contact Financial Aid Resources and Planning Services at 608-785-9579 or at Workstudy@westerntc.edu to review your eligibility.
Fall and Spring
Fall and spring term work-study employees can work up to 12 hours per week, but no more than 8 hours per day. The rate of pay is $14.00/hour. It is the supervisor and student responsibility to ensure student does not work over 12 hours.
Summer
Summer work-study employees can begin work on the last week of April. The rate of pay is $14.00/hour. Work-study employees enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits can work up to 12 hours per week. Work-study employees enrolled for 5 credits or not enrolled can work up to 25 hours per week, but no more than 8 hours per day. New work-study and continuing work-study employees must have work-study eligibility based on 2025-2026 FAFSA and must be enrolled at least half-time for the upcoming Fall term (not including Developmental courses). Summer rules may be subject to change.
- Hiring Process
If you are awarded Federal Work-Study, an email will be sent to you indicating that you are eligible for work-study and what the next steps are if you are interested in the work-study program. If hired, you will need to speak with the Work-Study Coordinator, to complete the necessary paperwork along with a background check. Their office is located in the Welcome Center.
Further questions about Federal Work-Study may be addressed to the Work-Study Coordinator at 608-785-9569 or workstudy@westerntc.edu.
- Compensation & Payment
FWS employees are paid on a semi-monthly basis (around the 10th and 26th of each month), based on the number of hours worked. FWS money is earned and paid to the student, and is not deducted from the student’s balance on their Western account.
- Calendars
- Resources
View Work-Study Handbook (PDF)
View Work-Study Application (PDF)
- Compliance
Western Technical College is in full compliance with state and federal equal opportunity and affirmative action laws and regulations including Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments, Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1992, Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991, and Section 38.23 of the Wisconsin Statutes. It is the policy of the Board of the Western Technical College District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, sex, age, disability, arrest or conviction record, political affiliation, union or non-union affiliation, marital status, sexual orientation, family or medical leave, or membership of the National Guard, state defense force or any other reserve component of the military forces of the United States or Wisconsin, in employment, education programs, admissions and activities. Services, financial aid and other benefits of this College and those originating from the Wisconsin Technical College System Board are provided on a nondiscriminatory basis. Western is committed to the elimination of sex-role stereotyping. Coordination of Title IX and Section 504 have been assigned to the Employment Benefits and EEO Manager at Western Technical College, 400 Seventh Street North, Post Office Box C-0908, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54602-0908; telephone 608.785.9274.
