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What is Work-Study?


If you are getting ready to go to college and are searching for ways to make it easier to pay for school, then you may have come across the concept of work-study programs. Work-study programs are one of the most common methods that incoming college students use to help prepare for the costs of college, which can be large and difficult to pay for.

If you are looking to pay for your schooling, you are going to want to work while you are in school. While this is not always the most ideal situation for those who would like to focus on their studies, it is sometimes necessary if you want to be able to graduate with little or no debt from school.

Our complete overview of work-study programs is going to provide you with everything that you need to know about work-study and how it can help you pay for your college experience.

Work-Study Overview
Before you can take advantage of what work-study programs have to offer, you first need to know exactly what work-study programs are. A work-study program is very much like what it sounds. It is a program that will allow you to both work and earn an income while also going to school and studying. A work-study program is one that is generally provided by the government. The government will often provide you with access to a program that will allow you to connect with potential employers and earn an income while you are in school.   Those that do work-study programs are typically committed to working and earning an income while also going to school.

How to Qualify for Work Study
In order to participate in work-study, you will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to demonstrate that your family has financial need. Because work-study jobs are limited, they are awarded to students who have financial need. Benefits of Work-Study Though it is not necessarily easy to work and go to school at the same time, there are still plenty of things to like about work-study programs. Here are some of the benefits of utilizing a work-study program while you are in school.

Get Valuable Work Experience
Money is a valuable thing that comes from doing a work-study program, but perhaps even more valuable than money is the experience that you get when you participate in a work-study program. You don’t want to make it through your school program only to discover that you are unable to get any jobs in your industry because you have no work experience. A work-study program ensures that won’t be the case. As much as possible, your college will try to provide an opportunity to work at a position that is related to your academic field.

Lower Your Debt
Another benefit that you can enjoy when you work with a work-study program is that you will be able to earn a decent income while also in school. This can be stressful for students, but it’s also a good thing because it provides them with the means to take out less student loans and therefore be in better financial shape at the conclusion of their schooling. With student debt being an urgent crisis in this country, work-study programs are helping to alleviate some of the pain.