<p>I used fafsa4caster and my efc was 0. I qualified for the work study program and was hypothetically awarded $1455. If I go to college this summer and begin working does this mean that I can only work up to $1455 a week, month, or semester ?</p>
<p>A WS award is an annual amount. The amount of FWS is awarded by a school. It is a need based award so you must have ‘need’ to be awarded it. The amount you are awarded will depend on the cost of the school, your financial need after scholarships & grants, how much WS funds a school has to award (they are very limited funds - a school generally has less WS funds than students that qualify for them). The maximum annual WS will vary by school. At my daughter’s school the maximum is $3400 a year. Some schools will have slightly higher maximums while some may be lower. </p>
<p>Once you have been awarded WS you have to find a WS job at the school and apply for it and get it just as you would any job. Generally they are hourly paid and the hourly pay may vary from job to job. There may also be off campus jobs at various non profit organizations. At my daughter’s school they receive a paycheck every 2 weeks. You can only earn up to the amount awarded as WS. SOme employees may keep you on as a regular employee once you have earned the full WS award but this will depend on their budgets - a large % of the WS is paid by federal funds so it is very good for budget strapped departments. They often don’t have the funds to pay a non WS student. At my daughter’s school you cannot do WS during the summer. This varies from school to school as others have posted on CC that they do have summer WS…</p>
<p>WS income is taxable income for federal taxes and for State taxes (in our state). it does not incur FICA taxes (social security, medicare). It is also not held against you in EFC calculations in the subsequent year.</p>
<p>so this means that I can only make up to $1455 that year total ?</p>
<p>No, I have no idea where they came up with that figure. It highly, highly depends on your school. My school lets us make up to 3k a year. My bf’s school lets them make up to 6k. Your school has X amount to distribute amongst its students so that will determine how much you may make up to. Your financial aid package will include how much work study (if any) you are eligible for.</p>
<p>Agree with ^^^. I find it odd that 4caster would even give you a WS estimate when WS is so variable from school to school. It is your school that will decide what WS amount to award you.</p>