Questions about work study?

I got awarded $2,502 for work study and I have some questions;
So I know that the amount I got awarded is just for this year, but I was wondering how exactly it is awarded? Like do I get it all at one time or do I get the money in intervals like a pay check as I work?
Also, how exactly do I get awarded that specific amount? Do I work only until I make $2,502 and then I get fired or let go?
I was also wondering what exactly the point of work study is? How is it different from just getting a job by myself and making money the using that money to pay tuition?
For example, is it worth it to accept the work study if I can just get a better paying job somewhere else?
Also, what if I decided to not work my first quarter in order to better adjust to school, will I lose my work study or not be able to have all of it?
Thank you to anyone who can help me with my many questions, lol.

I can only help with a few of those since we are new to it too- but Work Study means the employer (school or 3rd party) is given the money, or at least some of the money to pay employees. Therefore more employers can hire more people. You get the money as your paycheck.I don’t know what happens if you use all the allotment up and want to still work. I think employers figure your allotment over the number of weeks in the year and that is generally the amount of hours a week you would work. It benefits you because jobs are listed in one place (online, I believe Fall jobs are posted first of January) and it helps because they know a large number of applicants will have little to no work experience. If you want to work more hours, or in a higher paying job- you can do that, you just have to find one yourself. You do not lose your work study if you don’t start right at Fall Quarter- but job openings will be fewer is all, so you may have to work something you were hoping not to do. I think. lol. Hopefully someone else can confirm this or set me straight.

@crazyhousemom This was super helpful thank you so much for answering. Since I don’t have any job experience, I probably will do work study, especially since it looks like I won’t be working too many hours. I’ll also probably work my first quarter since my schedule is super light and is basically three GEs.

One of the main differences that I have noted, is that you are sort of taxed once, like a certain percentage of the 1-5, I don’t really know. From then on you simply work your hours until you have either used up the allotted amount given to you or the semester is over. It is a stepping stone into the real work force, but less harsh because you are often given time to study while you work.