Employment Types & Eligibility

Federal Work Study (FWS)

The Federal Work Study Program is a "need-based" financial aid program designed to assist students in earning money to meet their college expenses. To be eligible, a student must have filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and have a work-study allocation of funds. Each eligible student is awarded an amount of funds per semester that determines the maximum number of hours per week that may be worked.

While every effort is made to provide the maximum number of FWS positions, an on-campus or community service position within the FWS program is not guaranteed. Students should check ECWeb for their award information, or contact the Financial Aid Office located in Franklin Templeton 114 if they are unsure about their FWS eligibility.

For more information regarding Federal Work Study, please contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@eckerd.edu or 727-864-8334.

Federal Work Study recipients may also work off-campus. Off-campus positions require a contract and the position must be community service based at a non-profit and/or government agency. Contact Dr. Ronald Porter, Director of Service-Learning, at porterrk@eckerd.edu or 727-864-7512 for more information.

College Requirements

  • The student must file a FAFSA each year.

  • The Eckerd College Financial Aid Office establishes FWS eligibility.

  • All students with "financial need" may not be awarded FWS, and a FWS award from one year is NOT guaranteed for the next.

Federal Requirements

  • The student must be a U.S. citizen, or an eligible non-citizen.

  • The student must be enrolled, or accepted for enrollment, at least half time at Eckerd College and be in regular attendance in a degree seeking program.

  • The student must maintain satisfactory progress in course work.

  • The student must not owe a refund on a Federal or State Educational Grant.

  • The student must not be in default of a State or Federal Educational Loan.

  • The Student must comply with selective service registration requirements.

If they are unsure about their federal work-study eligibility, students should contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@eckerd.edu or (727) 864-8334.

Student Assistantships (SA)

Temporary, hourly; part-time jobs are funded by colleges and departments. They have flexible work hours designed to accommodate the class schedule. The duties, responsibilities, and wage are determined by the employer.

Students should work a maximum of 20 hours a week when classes are in session and as many as 29 hours during academic breaks. A student employed with more than one department needs to coordinate their schedule with all supervisors to not exceed work hour maximums. This program differs from Work Study programs in that these jobs are not based on financial need.

Students must be enrolled for at least 6 credit hours during fall, winter and spring terms. Students may work as student employees during the summer term if they are registered for at least 6 credit hours during summer or were registered for at least 6 credit hours the previous spring term or registered for at least 6 credit hours for the upcoming fall term.

International Student Work Program

International students with an I-20 issued by Eckerd College are permitted to work as a student-employee. International students must be enrolled for at least 12 credit hours during Fall, Winter and Spring terms. International students may work as student employees during the Summer term if they are registered for at least 6 credit hours during Summer or were registered for at least 12 credit hours the previous Spring Term or registered for at least 12 credit hours for the upcoming Fall term.

International students may work a maximum of 20 hours a week when classes are in session and as many as 29 hours during academic breaks. On-campus jobs for international students are funded by colleges and departments, and by the International Student Work Program (ISWP) award.

International students do not receive Federal Work-Study funding. However, some international students receive the ISWP award as part of their admissions package. To find out if you are eligible for the ISWP award, contact the Office of Admissions.

For support with preparing for jobs in the United States, international students should contact Olivier Debure, Director of International Student Programs at atdebureoc@eckerd.edu or (727) 864-7678.