Earn while you learn with Craven Community College's Federal Work-Study (FWS) program! This program is designed to provide valuable support to students navigating the financial demands of higher education. We connect eligible students with part-time employment opportunities, allowing them to earn income while gaining practical, real-world experience.
FWS positions are similar to traditional employee positions; students are expected to treat this position as such if hired. This program goes beyond simply providing a paycheck— it can help students gain essential workplace skills and responsibilities that will serve them well in their future careers.
The FWS can provide:
- Part-time employment to help manage college costs
- Valuable work experience that builds career-ready skills
- A chance to apply classroom learning in a real-world setting
- Financial support and professional development
Job Duties
Craven Community College has numerous departments across its campuses. Depending on the department students are hired for, job duties may be different from what is listed below. If hired, students can only work in one department at a time. Typical job duties may include but are not limited to:
- Working front desk/reception areas
- Assisting with inventory, stocking, order requests
- Computer duties: data entry, updating documents
- Operating office equipment: scanning, faxing, copying
- Greeting and assisting students and the general public
- Handling confidential data and material
Qualifications
To qualify for the FWS program, students must complete the FAFSA for the current year. Once complete, this will provide information on eligibility based on the student’s financial need, as well how many hours students are eligible to work during the award year. Receiving additional financial assistance may reduce a student’s financial need amount, which will also reduce the number of eligible work hours.
Students must be enrolled in an eligible curriculum program and take the corresponding curriculum courses. Students must also maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) status. The requirements of SAP are to:
- Maintain at least a cumulative 2.0 GPA.
This means an overall average of at least a “C” and is based on cumulative grades.
- Successfully complete at least two-thirds (67%) of the credits attempted.
For example: If you attempt 12 credit hours, you must successfully complete at least 8 credit hours; “successfully complete” means receiving a final passing grade
- Complete your program within 150% of the program’s published length.
For example: If your degree program requires 64 credits, you cannot receive financial aid after reaching or getting close to reaching 96 credit hours (64 x 1.5 = 96).
Classes Come First
Craven CC prioritizes academic success. As such, FWS work hours must be scheduled around a student’s classes, even if the course has been cancelled or released early for the day. On faculty workdays when classes are not held, students may work with supervisor approval.
Successfully balancing work and study time is important for a positive FWS experience. Students are expected to be on time for each shift and will be assigned a primary and secondary supervisor.
Students are also expected to practice good communication skills, such as giving appropriate notice in the event of being absent or tardy. Maintaining professional communication and building positive supervisor relationships are critical components of a successful FWS experience.
Things to Keep in Mind
This is a temporary part-time position, and it is not guaranteed that students will be able to work each semester. This is neither a permanent nor a guaranteed position and can end immediately depending upon eligibility and/or the exhaustion of FWS funding.
If a student is hired and does not maintain SAP status and/or funds are exhausted, the student will not be permitted to continue in the FWS program until regaining SAP status and/or funds become available.
Normally, a FWS student can work up to 29 hours per week. However, the actual number of hours will vary depending on the student’s financial need as indicated by their FAFSA, as well as the department’s budget. Therefore, it is important for students to plan ahead and discuss work schedules with supervisors at the beginning of each semester and if class schedules change.
The current pay rate for Regular FWS is $12/hour. For Community Service FWS, the pay rate is $14/hour.
Application Process
Students interested in the FWS program can visit CravenCC.edu/Employment, click “Federal Work Study Student Positions,” then search for postings with “Federal Work Study” in the position title. After completing the online application for a specific FWS position, the application will be reviewed for eligibility.
Students will then be required to successfully complete the online FWS student orientation with a grade of at least 80. If eligible, the application will then be forwarded to the department supervisors for their review. If the supervisor is interested, a Craven representative will reach out to the student to set up an interview.
Get Started
Step #1 - Complete the corresponding year’s FAFSA. If you need assistance with this, please schedule a 1-hour complete FAFSA appointment. View the Financial Aid eligibility requirements.
Step #2 - Ensure all of your general admission requirements are complete.
Step # - Review the available FWS positions and apply.
Step #4 - Complete the FWS online orientation; link will be provided via Craven CC student email upon completion of application.
Step #5 - Interview for FWS position and complete paperwork if selected.
Step #6 - Start your FWS position!
Contact Information
Financial Aid
252-638-7367
Barker Hall, New Bern Campus