Published on Learn and Serve America's National Service-Learning clearinghouse
Community Service Federal Work Study
The Federal Work Study program is "…to encourage students receiving Federal student financial assistance to participate in community service activities that will benefit the Nation and engender in the students a sense of social responsibility and commitment to the community."
The Higher Education Act (HEA) states that one of the purposes of the Federal Work Study program is "…to encourage students receiving Federal student financial assistance to participate in community service activities that will benefit the Nation and engender in the students a sense of social responsibility and commitment to the community." And colleges and universities are required to spend 7% of FWS funds on community service positions. Check out these resources from the NSLC collection to see how you can meet and exceed the community service FWS mandate at your college or university or get a FWS student at your community-based organization.
To learn about how you can use this program to help support your service-learning work, view the recording of the NSLC/Campus Compact webinar "Students as Colleagues" which included a discussion of this program at: www.servicelearning.org/webinars/students_as_colleagues-april_2008.php
NSLC Library Items (How to Borrow)
- Earn, Learn, and Serve: Getting the Most from Community Service Federal Work-Study (2007)
Abstract: This online collection of resources provides a thorough overview of community service Federal Work Study. Colleges and universities are required to spend 7% of work study funds on community service positions. Experienced FWS program coordinators have created numerous tools, which are found in this resource, to help manage and add value to their efforts, such as handbooks for students and community partners, program evaluation surveys, application process forms, etc. These can be replicated and adapted by other institutions. The appendices of this publication offer a host of useful resources for practitioners, including a host of hands-on tools as well as additional reading and information. (HTML) - NH Serve Study Initiative: Insights for Community Service Federal Work Study (2007)
Abstract: This document provides a glimpse of the Community Service Work Study Program at Keene State College in New Hampshire. It also includes example forms and documents from the program. (HM) (PDF) - Building a Community Work-Study Partnership With Financial Aid (2005)
Abstract: This document will give you a basic orientation to the federal regulations governing the use of FWS for community service positions and provide strategies for how to form or strengthen a partnership with your Financial Aid personnel. - To Serve the College or the Community? Results from a Study on Community Service Federal Work-Study (2003)
Abstract: This research brief describes a study coordinated by Campus Compact on Federal Work-Study (FWS) positions dedicated to community service. The goal of the study was to examine current community service work-study efforts, document good practices, and understand practitioners' opinions regarding a potential increase in the mandated percentage. From these findings Campus Compact also hoped to create a set of policy recommendations for improving the use and increasing the mount of FWS funds in the community. Seventy-eight focus group participants from 52 institutions represented diverse public and private, urban and rural, two- and four-year institutions. (PDF) - Principles of Best Practice in Community Service Work-Study (2002)
Abstract: This document outlines best practice in combining college and university work- study experiences with community service and service-learning. It lists ten principles that help construct an effective community service work-study program, which are explained using specific campus examples. (PDF)
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