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opportunities for Student   /    Community Work-Study Program   /    Campus Partners
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Cornell Unit/Department Eligibility Requirements

To participate in the Community Work-Study Program (CWSP), in which Federal Work-Study (FWS) pays for 75% of a student’s wages and the department pays 25%, Cornell departments must submit a Job Description Form that will then need to be reviewed. And before the student can be paid, CWSP will require access in WorkDay to the supervisor’s student JM Org.

How is “community service” defined?

  1. The student’s work must be designed to improve the quality of life for community residents, particularly low-income individuals, or to solve particular problems related to those residents’ needs. The student does not have to provide a “direct” service.
  2. A university or college is not considered a community for the purposes of the FWS community-service requirements. On-campus jobs can meet the definition of community services, provided the work is designed to improve the quality of life for off-campus community residents, or to solve problems related to their needs.
  3. Work done must benefit communities within the United States.
  4. Fields can be related to health, literacy training, education, welfare, social services, transportation, housing and neighborhood improvement, public safety, rural development, and community improvement.

Student Eligibility

The student must

  • have an I9 form on file, which proves eligibility to work in the United States,
  • be federal-work study eligible (confirm in WorkDay), and
  • be registered as full-time with no university holds.

It is important to confirm that the student is federal work-study eligible.  The Financial Aid Office can award students what is known as “Employee Earnings Expectation” (EEE), but this is not the same as federal work study. An EEE will not subsidize wages.

More information about FWS eligibility can be found on Student Employment’s Federal Work Study for Students page.

Job Descriptions

How to Submit a Job Description

Begin by downloading the Federal Work-Study (FWS) Job Description Form. Review the instructions and complete the form in full.

Work Hours

During the academic-year employment term, students’ work hours should be limited to 15–20 hours/week. During breaks, with their supervisor’s approval, and during the summer, students may work full-time if not taking classes.

Hourly Pay/Wage Rates

Guidelines for Establishing Wage Rates

In accordance with Federal Work-Study Guidelines, the following must be considered and taken into effect when establishing wage rates:

  • The skills needed to perform the job;
  • How much persons with those skills are paid in the local area for doing the same type of job;
  • Rates the school would normally pay similar non-FWS employees;
  • Any applicable federal, state, or local laws that require a specific wage rate.

It is not acceptable to base the wage rate on the student’s need or any other factor not related to the student’s skills or job description. Please follow the student employment university student job classifications when determining on campus pay rates.

How to Post a Job

On campus employers must submit their job descriptions via  email to CWSP for approval.  Once the position is approved for program eligibility, the position is posted in Workday and cross-posted on the CWSP website.

Jobs are typically posted within five business days of their arrival and are posted until mid-semester for each fall, spring and summer term. If you fill an open position, please notify CWSP so the posting can be removed.

To Edit, Reactivate, or Remove a Job

Send an email to CWSP with the action to be taken: “edit” (with changes), “re-post” (with any changes), or “delete.”

How to Hire a Student

Typically hiring can be done at the beginning and middle of each term, but please refer to our Important CWSP Program Dates.

Student Recruiting Process Steps

  • Email completed Job Description Form to cwsp@cornell.edu.
  • The CWSP coordinator will post the position in Workday and assign the supervisor as the Primary Recruiter.

Workday Primary Recruiter Steps

  • Once the position is posted in Workday, the supervisor can review candidates who have applied.
  • The supervisor must screen candidates for FWS eligibility.
  • The supervisor interviews candidates who have been screened.  To avoid a 100% charge to the department for wages, make sure not to move forward any candidates who have not yet been screened for FWS.
  • Once a candidate has been identified for hire, the supervisor moves the student to “Ready for Hire” and then “Offer.”
  • The student should be directed to the CWSP orientation course at this time.
  • The CWSP Coordinator will then be able to complete the hire.
  • If a student needs to complete an I9, they will receive an action item from Workday. The I9 must be completed within 3-5 days of hire.
  • The student can start once they receive new hire paperwork via Workday and complete the I9 (if required).

For more information, please contact the CWSP Coordinator.

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