On-Campus Employment

What does being eligible for Federal Work Study mean?

Students who have been awarded Federal Work Study (FWS) as a part of their financial aid package must secure on campus employment or Community Service employment in order to receive the offered tax benefit. The dollars that are awarded to you must be acquired by working in an approved campus job - the only jobs on campus that do not fall under this category are those that are with outside companies such as Aramark, Follett, Starbucks, the Zia Juice Bar, etc. 

Does the money I earn go directly towards my tuition?

The student receives a paycheck with normal withholding - the money is not automatically applied toward their student account.  The primary benefit of the Federal Work Study program for the student is that the income from this type of employment is exempt from the income reported on the subsequent year's Financial Aid Form. If a student works beyond the dollars offered through Federal Work Study, the additional income will have to be reported on the subsequent Financial Aid Form.

How do I know if I am FWS eligible?

FWS students will be informed individually by Financial Aid of your eligibility status, and amount of funds offered. If a student is unsure of whether or not they are eligible for FWS funds, please contact Financial Aid at (317) 940-8200.

Are FWS students guaranteed an on-campus job?

Supervisors are free to hire any student they feel is the best fit for the job, department, or organization. However, FWS students do have the opportunity to apply for on-campus jobs on B.L.U.E. about 10 days earlier than all other students, giving them a slight advantage. Some supervisors take this into account and will hire FWS students based on financial need for a job on campus, but others will hire based purely on fit, whether they are FWS eligible or not. 

Are there other employment options for FWS students?

Various organizations partner with Butler University by hiring only FWS eligible students to work for the academic year. Each year, there are about 10 non-profit organizations (located both on and off campus) that will hire Butler students, on the terms that Butler is responsible for paying 100% of the students' wages, up to the students' allotted FWS monetary award. These jobs are found in the same section on B.L.U.E. where on-campus jobs are located.

Do you consider working part-time as "just a job"? The reality is that your on-campus work experience is so much more than that! Using your time wisely while you work is going to positively impact your life professionally, academically, and personally. Take pride in the fact that you are working in addition to being in school.  Click the link below for five ways to maximize your time:

Tips for Students