One Stop Student Services

Federal Work-Study (FWS)

Financial Aid

Federal Work-Study

The Federal Work–Study (FWS) program is a financial aid opportunity for eligible full-time or half-time enrolled students.

FWS is part-time on or off-campus employment that provides students with income and valuable work experience. As a FWS student, the exact amount you’ll receive is determined by your financial need and the number of hours you work. We encourage work related to your program of study or community service work whenever possible.

Learn how to accept your Federal Work-Study award here.

Flexible Scheduling

Your supervisor will work with you to support your academic excellence and make sure your work schedule fits your busy life. FWS students work fewer than 30 hours per week.

Professional Development

Similar to a high-level internship, FWS positions provide real-world career experience. The skills you will develop can strengthen your resume.

Connection on Campus

You can find community at UT by connecting with peers, co-workers and supervisors during your FWS position. These connections may help you find a job after graduation!

Additional Income

Most UT FWS students earn about $3,000 per year and are paid biweekly through direct deposit. FWS students earn a minimum of $11 per hour for on-campus positions and $16 per hour for off-campus community service positions.

Participating in Federal Work-Study was a really great experience as a first-year student. I got to meet a lot of new people and it really helped me manage my priorities in a way that allowed me to be more successful. It also greatly reduced the financial stress that often comes with college.

Elora
College of Arts and Sciences

Getting Started

Have a Federal Work-Study offer waiting for you? Simply follow the instructions below to take your next steps so you can start earning as soon as possible! 

1. Accept your Federal Work-Study Award in MyUTK

  1. Log in to MyUTK using your NetID and password 
  1. Click on “Accept Award Offer” in the “My Financial Information” section 
  1. Select the correct aid year 
    • For example, if you are accepting your FWS award for the Spring 2026 semester, select the “2025-26” aid year. If you are accepting your FWS award for the Fall 2026 semester, select the “2026-27” aid year.
    1. Follow the on-screen instructions to accept or decline your offer 

    (Remember: Your total FWS award amount depends on when you applied for the award (funding is first-come, first-serve), your level of financial need, and UT’s funding availability. 

    2. Complete Federal Work-Study Onboarding with One Stop

    Once you’ve accepted your FWS award, follow these steps before visiting One Stop for onboarding: 

    Complete Online Forms: 

    1. Fill out your FWS Personnel Form 
    2. Electronically submit Page 1 of the I-9 Form 
      • In the Employer Name or Code box, enter 17617
      • Use today’s date for your Start Date 
      • Double-check your information for accuracy, then electronically sign the form
      • Click “FINISH and SUBMIT” at the bottom of the page 

    (Heads up: The system may incorrectly display your work location as UT-Memphis. No worries— we will fix that on our end!) 

    Prove Identity and Work Eligibility: 

    You must provide One Stop with original, IRS-approved ID documents (no photocopies or images) to prove your identity and work eligibility. Deliver these documents to One Stop on the Ground Floor of Hodges Library between 8:00-11:00 AM or 1:30-4:30 PM Monday-Friday. 

    3. Secure a FWS Job!

    After your onboarding visit to One Stop, watch for an important email with the final steps to get hired in JobX/TimesheetX. This important email will include instructions for completing your Form W-4 and setting up Direct Deposit for your FWS funds. 

    Questions about your next steps? Contact One Stop! 

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Am I eligible for Federal Work-Study?

    Filing your FAFSA every year will help determine if you are eligible for the FWS program. If you did not receive a FWS award offer and are interested, contact One Stop to see if you are eligible!

    We recommend that you file your FAFSA before the UT priority deadline each year. 

    • Use UT’s federal school code — 003530

    How do I accept my Federal Work-Study Award?

    If you’ve been awarded FWS, accept the award in your MyUTK account:

    • Log into MyUTK using your NetID and password
    • Click on “Continue to MyUTK”
    • Click on “Accept Award Offer” in the “My Financial Information” section
    • Select the correct aid year
    • Follow the on-screen instructions and accept or decline your offer
      • Your total FWS award depends on:
        • When you apply (funding is first-come, first-serve)
        • Your level of financial need
        • UT’s funding availability
    • Complete the “Next Steps and Onboarding” documents and instructions in the following section

    How do I find a job?

    After you’ve accepted your FWS award, you can search and apply for jobs through JobX. 

    Although you will be able to apply for jobs, supervisors can’t hire you until you’ve completed the onboarding process. After you onboard, the UT Human Resources department will add you to their payroll system and you can be hired for a FWS position.

    Examples of FWS Jobs:  

    Check out examples of recent FWS positions:

    • Lab Assistant, Biochemistry & Cellular & Molecular Biology 
    • Reception Assistant, Center for Career Development 
    • Workshop Assistant – A+A Woodshop, College of Architecture and Design 
    • Student Ambassador, Multicultural Student Life
    • Zero Waste Programs Assistant, Office of Sustainability
    • Vet Assistant, Small Animal Clinical Sciences 
    • Scene Shop Assistant, Clarence Brown Theatre
    • Videographer / editor (REMOTE position), Engineering Communications 
    • Native American Interpretive Garden Student Worker, UT Gardens
    • Marketing Assistant, WUTK 90.3 FM Student Radio Station 
    • Baseball Video / Tech In-Game Tagger, Athletics 

    How do I keep my Federal Work-Study award?

    To keep your FWS award, you must continue to meet the eligibility requirements for Financial Aid. You also must file your FAFSA every year to determine continued eligibility.

    Tax Information and W-2 Forms

    The University of Tennessee System provides employees with 24/7 online access to W-2 statements through ADP — the payroll, human resources and tax service provider contracted by the university to manage specific payroll-related services, including W-2 statements. Once registered through ADP, employees can view and print their W-2 statement at any time.

    Step-by-Step Instructions for How to Register for ADP W-2 Services

    Employees will also be asked to complete one additional verification step, such as confirming a U.S. mobile phone number or UTK email address. During registration, employees will create a password and receive a system-generated User ID. Once registration is complete, please consider bookmarking https://my.adp.com for future access.

    Important Reminder: Paper W-2 statements were also mailed to all employees by the end of January using the address on file in DASH as of Jan. 15, 2026. 

    If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the UT System Payroll Office: 865-974-5251