Skip to main content

Eligibility for Federal Work Study (FWS)

Federal Work Study Basic Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility for Federal Work Study is determined based on your FAFSA and financial need. 

  1. You must have a valid FAFSA on file.
  2. You must be eligible to receive financial aid (but not required to accept a loan).
  3. You must demonstrate financial need.

Please review the above linked FWS financial need video to understand unmet need and how receiving FWS funding may impact your financial aid. Please note: The FWS video was created primarily for undergraduate students. Some information will not apply to CMSRU students.

*Key video terms/info: BTG-Bridging the Gaps; EFC-Expected Family Contribution. Most CMSRU students don’t have an income. No income for EFC= zero; COA- Cost of Attendance; Click here to view the AY 22-23 COA budget.

Federal Work Study at CMSRU

CMSRU offers two initiatives for students to receive FWS Monies: Bridging the Gaps and the Service Learning and Ambulatory Clinic.

 

Bridging the Gaps

CMSRU’s Federal Work Study Program, Bridging the Gaps, is a community health-based summer internship for CMSRU medical students between their M1 and M2 years (per completed student FAFSA eligibility requirements and not exceeding individual student Cost of Attendance (COA) budgets). Students must complete 40 hours per week at southern New Jersey community-based organizations (Camden county) performing a variety of community service activities, tailored to the organization's needs. Examples include: educational activities, care coordination activities, and providing direct service. The seven-week program includes didactic and mentorship/small group learning sessions with CMSRU faculty and other faculty from Philadelphia-area health professions schools. This FWS program reduces loan funding for eligible students through employment, resulting in receipt of a bimonthly stipend, thereby also reducing debt load. For more information about Bridging the Gaps, please contact Dr. Mara Gordon, MD, Assistant Professor of Family Medicine, via email (gordon-mara@cooperhealth.edu).

 

Service Learning and Ambulatory Clinic

Federal Work Study monies are also available for students facilitating service learning and hours spent participating in the ambulatory clerkship, while receiving academic credit. Any CMSRU M1-M4 student (per completed student FAFSA eligibility requirements and not exceeding individual student Cost of Attendance (COA) budgets) who qualifys for FWS monies, must submit Federal and State W4 forms to receive monies (amount to be determined based on state allocation and number of students participating) for a minimum of 30-35 hours facilitated annually (dependent on class year) for service learning and ambulatory clinic participation. FWS funding reduces loan debt for eligible students through employment, resulting in receipt of a stipend per semester. For more information, please contact CMSRU Financial Aid Services via email (financialaid@coopermed.rowan.edu).