Federal Work-Study is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. This grant is subject to financial aid eligibility and demonstration of financial need. Interested students who do not receive a Federal Work-Study package may add their name to the waitlist (pending the availability of additional funding).

Federal Work-Study Eligibility Requirements

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and meet the eligibility criteria.
• Answer “Yes” to the question, “Are you interested in work-study?” on the FAFSA application.
• Qualify for federal financial aid and have remaining financial need demonstrated through the FAFSA.
• Half-time enrollment (6 credits) is required in the semester(s) you wish to work. If you are working during the summer—you are not required to be enrolled for the summer—you will need to be registered for at least 6 credits for the fall. (Only returning FWS students can work in the summer.)
• Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).

Federal Work-Study Award Notification

You can view your Federal Work-Study (FWS) award by logging into your CUNYfirst account. If you are selected for an FWS award, you must accept or decline. Learn how to accept/decline award here.

Federal Work-Study Waitlist

Because Federal Work-Study awards are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, funding can run out. However, we do maintain a waitlist for interested students should additional funding become available. Financial Aid Services will notify you via your Baruch email if you have been awarded a Federal Work-Study grant through the waitlist. To access the waitlist, click here.

Once you accept your Federal Work-Study grant, in order to utilize it, you must be placed in a position. Baruch College offers three (3) types of placement opportunities.

On Campus

Placement is made on-campus at either an academic department or administrative office. Students who accept their FWS grant will be emailed instructions to the job search database where they are able to apply for positions.

Off Campus

Organizations off campus have a contract with CUNY to hire FWS students. The organizations are within the five boroughs, and starting salary varies depending on the position.

Public Service Corps

Public Service Corps (PSC) is a paid internship that utilizes your Federal Work-Study grant. An application must be completed with the resume attached, and it must be submitted to Financial Aid Services. The starting salary varies. PSC has a separate contract, and all tax forms are submitted to them.

Once you have been hired either on campus or off campus (all on-boarding for Public Service Corps is processed through the agency), you will need to review the on-boarding information below and fill out the appropriate forms. During the Covid-19 public health emergency, Financial Aid Services is practicing social distancing and is unable to accept in-person paperwork. You may submit these required forms by clicking here.

W4 (Employee Withholding)

Instructions for filling out the 2021 W4 (Employee Withholding) Form:

• If you would like to have taxes withheld, indicate on Line 5 the number of allowances you are claiming. If you have no dependents, and no spouse, you can indicate a 0 or a 1.
• If you do not want to have taxes withheld, skip Line 5 of the form, and write “Exempt” on Line 7

I-9

Instructions for filling out the I-9 (Employee Eligibility Verification) Form:

• You must bring in a signed I-9 Form, along with acceptable documentation. You are required to submit one item from List A, or a combination of items from B and C. All documents must be current (unexpired).

New York State Forms (IT 2104 or IT 2104-E)

Instructions for filling out New York State Forms (IT-2104 or IT-2104-E):

• New York State Form IT-2104 is for students who want to withhold New York State taxes. You must indicate the number of allowances on the form you wish to withhold.
• New York State Form IT-2104-E is for students who do not want to withhold New York State taxes. This form should only be filled out if you are either (a) under the age of 18, (b) over the age of 65, or (c) a full-time (12 credit) student under the age of 25.

FERPA Agreement

As a student-employee at Baruch College, you may be granted access to confidential and private records of students, faculty, staff, and applicants for admission or employment. These records are protected from disclosure to third parties under CUNY as well as federal and state privacy laws. Student records are protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and must be treated as confidential. Therefore, it is an on-boarding requirement to sign/date the FERPA Agreement.

Labor Pay Notice

The Labor Pay Notice is to be completed by Financial Aid Services and signed by the student. This form indicates the student’s pay rate and is required by New York State.

Submitting Your Timesheet

Timesheets are submitted by Federal Work-Study supervisors through an electronic system, TimesheetX. Students are not allowed to submit their own timesheets.

When Will I Be Paid?

Students are paid biweekly, according to the dates on the payroll calendar. Late timesheets will be retroactively paid on the next payroll cycle.

How Will I Be Paid?

Students can receive their payment in one of two ways:

• Check: A paper check mailed to your address on file on the respective cycle date listed on the payroll calendar
• Direct Deposit: FWS earnings transferred electronically into your personal checking or savings account on the date indicated on the payroll calendar