Financial Aid
  1. Students
  2. Financial Aid & Scholarships
  3. Federal Work Study

Federal Work Study

Scottsdale Community College's Financial Aid Office offers Federal Work Study. It's an easy and convenient way for you to earn money as you go to school. The Federal Work Study program provides funds that are earned through part-time employment to assist students in financing the cost of education. At Scottsdale Community College, eligibility is determined each year as a result of early application of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the financial need of a student. Funding level and number of positions are limited, so positions are not guaranteed from one year to the next.

ATTENTION RETURNING STUDENTS. You will not be automatically awarded Work Study. It is up to you to apply for financial aid early. Keep in mind that Work Study is financial aid in the form of a job. Therefore supervisors do not have to ability to hire you back if you are not awarded Work Study.

To be considered for Federal Work Study for 2019-2020, please indicate on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that you want to be considered for Work Study. The Financial Aid Office will determine your eligibility. If you have been packaged with Work Study you must go to my.maricopa.edu and accept the award (or decline it if you are no longer interested). If a Work Study award is not listed, this means you are not eligible or funding has been depleted.

2019-2020 Work Study funds have already been awarded. If you received your award notification and were not offered work study funds, please submit the work study request so that you can be put on our waiting list. If additional funds become available they will be awarded after the semester begins. Students awarded will be notified through the student center on my.maricopa.edu.

  • Federal Work-Study (FWS) provides you with a part-time job that allows you to earn money to help pay for your educational expenses.
  • The program encourages students to work in community service areas.
  • FWS can help you gain valuable experience in your chosen field before you leave school.
  • Taxable earnings from Federal Work-Study will be excluded from your income earned from work in the following financial aid year. The exclusion of these earnings will help to increase your financial aid eligibility.

  • Wages will be at least the current federal minimum wage, but may be higher, depending on the type of work you do and the skills required (the current average pay is $11.00 - $16.00 an hour).
  • Your total Federal Work-Study award will depend on when you apply, your financial need, and the funding level at Scottsdale Community College.
  • The amount you earn cannot exceed your total Federal Work Study award. You are not required to earn all of your award amount, the amount offered is an average of what students earned in the previous year. Since the money is paid for hours worked, monies that are not earned by the end of the academic year go back into the Work Study Fund.
  • When assigning work hours, your employer will consider your award amount, class schedule, and your academic progress.
  • To allow sufficient time for your studies you will be allowed to work no more than 20 hours per week during regular terms of enrollment.
  • Once your request for Work-Study funds is reviewed and awarded you will receive an award notification.
  • Once you are award work study, you will need to review the open work study positions, complete the job application and contact the supervisor to set up an interview.
  • If you are hired your supervisor will refer you to meet with Human Resources to complete a new hire packet or update existing information if they have worked for Maricopa before.
  • Students interested in applying for an America Reads position will need to complete the job application available on the job posting website as well as an additional application: "America Reads Tutor Application". Once both applications are completed contact the appropriate supervisor on the job posting for an interview.
  • You cannot begin working until you are notified of your start date by your work study supervisor.

Scottsdale Community College is a participant in the America Reads Challenge. The goal of the challenge is to promote children's literacy by providing "reading buddies" to those who are at risk for reading failure.

America Reads Challenge

A Scottsdale Community College student who has been awarded Federal Work Study Funds may be a possible candidate to participate in the America Reads Program. As a program participant, students will be able to tutor children in reading at local elementary schools or agencies. Students will need to commit approximately 10 - 20 hours per week, which would include weekly training sessions.

Program requirements are as follows:

  • Enrolled in at least 6 credits at SCC
  • Qualify for the Federal Work-Study Program
  • Have the desire and skills to work with children
  • Complete a tutor application and schedule an interview

View available work study positions.