Eligibility

Types of Student Employment

There are two types of student employment funding - federal work study (FWS) and campus employment (CE). 

FWS is first and foremost a federal financial aid program. Community service jobs are ONLY available to FWS eligible students per U.S. Department of Education guidelines.

Manhattan College matches federal funds in the form of our CE portion. It is because of this federal funding that our student employment program is possible. Also, federal guidelines stipulate many rules and regulations. Students, department heads/supervisors, the Controller's office and the Financial Aid Administration office work together to ensure that the College is always in compliance.

Eligibility Requirements for all Students

• Enrolled for at least 12 credits for the term they wish to be employed (others enrolled for at least 6 credits can meet with Financial Aid Administration to discuss eligibility).
• Meet the College’s standards for satisfactory academic progress.
• No history of loan default during or following attendance at any institution.
• Satisfactory performance in previous employment positions.
• One's FAFSA is not selected for verification, or the verification review has been completed by a Financial Aid Administration counselor.

Eligible-to-Hire Limitations

In rare cases, a student may appear to meet all of the above requirements and present all required documentation, but will still be ineligible for an office to hire as a FWS and/or CE employee. The most common applications of this policy include:

• Students who are hired to work in one department and seek a second, simultaneous FWS or CE position within a given academic year. Students may only work in one FWS or CE position at a time; the only exceptions include those employed as tutors or lab assistants due to the limited hours one works in such positions, as well as specialization required in each role.
• To avoid a professional conflict of interest, students who are immediate relatives (including parents, parents-in-law, stepparents, grandparents, step-grandparents, spouse, children, step-children, siblings, stepsiblings, grandchildren and step-grandchildren) to an employee working within the same office or department.
• Students whose eligibility for employment has been rescinded or advised against due to reasons including, but not limited to: unresolved or pending disciplinary sanctions, failure to meet the confidentiality agreement in previously held FWS and/or CE positions, and administrative concerns with academic progress.

Notice of Eligibility

First-time students demonstrating financial need: A FWS offer is included on their financial aid award letters. Separate notice and instructions will be sent to first-time students who are deemed ineligible for FWS but eligible for CE.

Continuing students with prior student employment participation: Will be offered a work study budget (FWS or CE) on their online financial aid award.

The dollar amount of FWS or CE shown on a student's award letter represents the total gross amount of money they can earn under the program for the period of your award (July 1 through June 30). 

Not Offered Student Employment?

Please contact us if FWS or CE is not offered on your financial aid package and you filed the FAFSA. SFS will review your eligibility.

Students who are not eligible for FWS may be eligible for CE. An initial review for FWS eligibility is mandatory. Students who are CE-eligible must still complete all the mandatory paperwork and comply with the same guidelines and regulations for FWS. Contact us if you would like to be reviewed for student employment eligibility. 

Increases in Eligibility

Most awards represent an initial allotment for a reasonable expectation of earnings. For some students, awards can be increased depending on (a) their individual calculation of financial need along with other aid used to cover educational expenses and (b) overall availability of college funding for student employment.

As a student approaches their earnings limit, they should consult their department supervisor and a financial aid counselor to see if their eligibility can be increased so the student can work more hours to meet their educational expenses. 

A student may work up to 20 hours a week during periods when classes are in session and up to 35 hours a week during other periods. The number of hours you work each week will depend on your hourly pay and the amount of your award. Seek the assistance of your department supervisor for calculating estimates.

Loss of Eligibility

At any time of the year, Financial Aid Administration may be obligated to withdraw or alter a FWS offer if it is determined that the student is no longer eligible. If that happens, Financial Aid Administration will notify the student and supervisor that the student must stop working as a FWS employee. It is possible to award CE funding if there is availability but there is no guarantee that a student can continue working in the same department.

The most common reasons for loss of eligibility are:

• A student earns their allotment too quickly.
• A student changes their enrollment.
• Withdrawal from school.
• A student fails to make satisfactory academic progress.
• When there is an individual change in financial need. Students must report any additional resources/scholarships received to cover educational expenses. Failure to do so can result in work study ineligibility and a change in financial aid packaging, as regular reviews are  conducted by the Financial Aid Administration office. Outside resources may include scholarships, grants, or loans not previously awarded or those not processed by Manhattan College.