College Work-Study is a program administered by the Financial Aid Office and is part of the student’s financial aid package. Workstudy funding is provided by the federal or state government. Your eligibility for work study is determined by the Financial Aid Office, based on information provided on the FAFSA. Although it is awarded much like Pell Grants and other forms of aid, the method for receiving the money you have been awarded for workstudy is slightly different. It works basically like any other job; you are paid bi-weekly for the hours actually worked. The paycheck is issued directly to you, the student; it is not applied to your account. You may continue to work until the total amount of the award is exhausted. Work-study students earn $15 per hour.

Work-study is an excellent opportunity for both the student and the employer. It allows you to work for an office or organization on the campus or for certain approved off-campus employers. You have a job with a schedule that revolves around your school schedule. Work-study earnings are taxed at a lower rate than regular earnings; and the following year work-study earnings are excluded as income on the FAFSA. The federal or state government pays a large portion of the student’s wage, so employers have an extra incentive for hiring work-Study students.

Great Falls College has a limited amount of funds available under the work-study program; preference is given to students who have completed a FAFSA and submitted all verification by March 1. Students should request work-study on the FAFSA to be evaluated for eligibility. If students were not awarded and would like to be evaluated, they should contact the Financial Aid Office to be placed on the waiting list.