Work Study

The Federal Work Study Program (FWS) is designed to provide jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay for education expenses. This federally funded program provides employment opportunities on campus or in nonprofit agencies off-campus, encouraging students to work in organizations that allow them to gain valuable experience that enhances their resume and explores their major field of study.  

The FWS Program is available during the academic year as well as the summer. It currently covers 50 percent of the student worker's salary, with the employer responsible for the remaining 50 percent.

Contact financial aid

Student Services Suite, 405F
Phone: (603) 641-4189
Fax: (603) 641-4125
Email: unhm.fa@unh.edu

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For Students: Apply to Work Study

In order to apply, you must have been awarded Federal Work Study (FWS) funds as part of your financial aid package. Once you have confirmed this award, follow these steps:

  1. Get your resume in shape to submit to on-campus departments.  Stop by Career Peer Walk-In hours during the academic year, or make an appointment with Career and Professional Success on Handshake.
  2. Check Handshake to see all the available work study positions and start applying.  Most positions are posted in the summer.  We recommend continually checking Handshake for positions, as not every department has the same recruiting schedule.
  3. Before interviewing students, employers will send a list of applicants to Financial Aid to confirm their work-study eligibility before interviewing.  We suggest that students review their work study eligibility on WebCat.
  4. Once a supervisor has offered you a position, stop by the Financial Aid Office to pick up the FWS Employment Authorization form.
  5. Work with your employer to complete additional required hiring forms, including a W-4 and I-9.

You may not begin working until the FWS Employment Authorization process (steps 4 and 5) is complete.

Please note: An award of Federal Work Study is not a guarantee of a job. These positions are competitive, and it is up to you, the student, to be proactive in pursuing employment.

PLEASE NOTE incoming & returning students: Campus departments will begin posting positions for on-campus employment throughout June, July and into August. Please continue to check Handshake over the summer as these postings continue to go up. To view Manchester positions, search “UNHM” in the search bar.

For Employers: Post a work study job

The Federal Work Study (FWS) Program is a federally funded aid program designed to provide jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay for education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to each student's course of study.

FWS is designed to subsidize a portion of the student's wages. Because of this subsidy, many opportunities are available to organizations that would not otherwise be able to hire students. Currently the FWS program covers 50 percent of the student worker's salary, and the employer is responsible for the remaining 50 percent. Our collaborative relationships with community nonprofit agencies allow us to support agency missions and objectives while also providing jobs to undergraduate and graduate students with financial need.

Benefits to the employer

  • Access to a year-round supply of highly motivated and capable students
  • Short-term student employment commitments provide built-in flexibility
  • Access to potential candidates for permanent positions
  • Expand staffing budgets though FWS subsidized positions
  • Cost-effective solutions to screen, evaluate, train, recruit and hire employees
  • Giving students a chance to earn money for education expenses

The Application Process

Once you have the information you need and have decided to participate in the Federal Work Study Program, you may submit an application package.

  • Complete the FWS Terms of Agreement Form
  • Complete the Commercial Credit Application Form
  • Complete the job request form so your position will appear on the FWS job posting page

If you are a nonprofit off-campus employer and have yet to complete a Terms of Agreement, you may complete the job request and the FWS coordinator will contact you to discuss how your organization may apply. Jobs will not be posted by the FWS Coordinator until employers are approved and submit required documentation.

For more information, contact UNH Manchester’s FWS Program Coordinator at 603-641-4189.