How does Independent study work?

How does Work Study for College work?

• I understand you can get a job on campus and work for the money that the college and government will pay you. Currently im going to get 2500 a semester if i participate in work study. My question is if I get a job where i am going to live which is about 35 minutes from where I will be going to college, does that count as work study? Also If i save say $3000 from that job by the end of the semester will I still get paid any of the $2500, or will work study not apply if I get a job close to where I am going to live?

• Answer:

  No, that job will not count as workstudy. You cannot simply call any job workstudy. If you get a regular job, with a regular paycheck then that's fine. The $2500 is the maximum amount that you can earn through a workstudy job. Workstudy is just like a regular job and they'll only pay you for the hours worked. If you get a different job then that $2500 is irrelevant; you're not doing a workstudy program and thus not earning any of that money. Also, keep in mind that workstudy money is not counted against you when you apply for financial aid next year. If you get a regular job then that income is counted and you could end up lowering your EFC. However, most dependent students do not make enough to significantly impact your EFC but it's possible.