Swearer Center for Public Service

Off-Campus Federal Work Study

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Off-Campus Federal Work Study

Off-Campus Federal Work Study is an opportunity for eligible students to engage in the Providence community via paid employment with local community-based organizations.

Before Applying for OCFWS

Be sure to check your financial aid award to ensure you are eligible for Off-Campus Federal Work-Study (OCFWS).  Students must be able to commit 3-8 hours per week to their OCFWS employment opportunity in the academic year and 20-35 hours per week in the summer. Students with a “Campus Employment” award are not eligible to participate.

Instructions to check if you are eligible for OCFWS

Timeline

The OCFWS program runs from July through May. Most students work either during the summer session, July-August, or during the academic terms (Fall: Sept.-Dec., Spring: Feb.-May), depending on the amount of a student’s OCFWS award and the position’s scope.

Opportunities

There are different options available during the summer and the academic year. In the summer, we collaborate with three community organizations to offer work experiences for OCFWS students, allowing them to engage with issues they care about, such as healthcare, education, and food insecurity. In the fall students have the opportunity to work with seven community partners.

Before Starting Your OCFWS

  1. Students interested in participating in the OCFWS program must complete an I-9 process through Brown University. 
    Read our student payment reference document for detailed instructions on completing the I-9 form and identity verification process.

  2. Once you complete this process, you will receive an official start date from the Office of Financial Aid and be added to Workday. 

  3. You cannot work and be paid for hours worked until you receive an official start date from the Office of Financial Aid. 
    Any work done before an official start date with your OCFWS site will be considered unpaid volunteer hours. 

Current OCFWS Students

The academic year program runs from September through May. The summer program runs from July through August. If students earn more than the maximum award amount stated in their award letter during the summer, they may become ineligible for the academic year program. If you plan to continue working with OCFWS during the academic year, please reapply even if you intend to stay with the same community partner.

Reapply for OCFWS

Contact

Have any general questions about the OCFWS program at Brown University?

Want to learn more about your eligibility status for the OCFWS program?

Please reach out to the Financial Aid Office at ocfws@brown.edu.

Learn more