PAYING FOR TCL

Federal Work Study

The Federal Work-Study Program provides eligible students with the opportunity to earn money through meaningful part-time employment while gaining valuable professional experience. Positions are available throughout the College and with approved community service partners, allowing students to develop workplace skills while supporting the campus and local community.

Federal Work-Study is not a grant or scholarship. Instead, eligible students receive an employment award that represents the maximum amount they may earn through an approved Federal Work-Study position during the academic year. Students are paid only for the hours they work and receive a regular paycheck.

Federal Work-Study earnings cannot be applied directly toward tuition or other College charges

Benefits of Federal Work-Study

Participating in the Federal Work-Study Program allows students to:

Gain valuable professional work experience while attending college.
Develop transferable workplace skills such as communication, teamwork, customer service, professionalism, and time management.
Build a résumé with relevant employment experience.
Establish professional relationships with faculty, staff, and community partners.
Earn income to help offset educational and personal expenses while maintaining a schedule that supports academic success.

Employment Information

On-campus positions: Earn $15.00 per hour.
Off-campus community service partner positions: Earn $17.00 per hour.
Each Federal Work-Study position has its own maximum weekly hour allocation based on departmental funding and operational needs. Please review each position description for its specific weekly hour limit.
Work schedules are flexible and designed to accommodate your class schedule.
Students may not work during scheduled class times.
Employment is contingent upon continued eligibility, available funding, and position availability.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for the Federal Work-Study Program, students must:

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Demonstrate federal financial need as determined by the FAFSA.
Meet Technical College of the Lowcountry’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements.
Be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours during each semester of employment.
Be eligible to receive federal financial aid.
Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.

Please Note: Eligibility is monitored throughout the academic year. Students who no longer meet Federal Work-Study eligibility requirements may become ineligible to continue participating in the program.

How to Apply

Federal Work-Study positions are limited and awarded based on student eligibility, available funding, and departmental hiring needs.

Complete the FAFSA
Indicate your interest in student employment through the Federal Work Study (FWS) Interest Questionnaire through Self Service
Submit the online Federal Work-Study Application.
If you meet the program’s eligibility requirements, your application will be reviewed by the Financial Aid Office and forwarded to the supervisor(s) of the position(s) you selected.
If you are not eligible for the Federal Work-Study Program, the Financial Aid Office will notify you and provide information regarding your eligibility status and, when applicable, the reason(s) you were found ineligible.
Supervisors will review applications and contact qualified candidates to schedule interviews.
Hiring decisions are made by the individual department or community partner based on the qualifications and needs of the position.

Submitting an application does not guarantee an interview or employment. Federal Work-Study positions are competitive, and departments hire the candidate they believe is the best fit for their team.