The Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program is through the U.S. Department of Education to provide funds for students with financial need, allowing IU Indianapolis students to earn money to help offset the costs of higher education. Approximately 3,000 IU Indianapolis students are offered work-study awards each academic year as part of their financial aid packages. Students can then secure a part-time job on campus and in approved community work-study agencies to work and to receive a biweekly paycheck.
The Community Work-Study (CWS) Program engages community partners and students in meaningful work experiences that not only help partners reach their organizational goals but also help students learn and develop through community-based, real-world experiences. Through hiring students who have been given work-study awards, departments and approved community work-study agencies provide students with financial need valuable skills and academically relevant work experiences and also receive a financial incentive through paying just 25% of students' wages up to their award amounts. The remaining 75% is subsidized by the federal government.