Columbia University Student Financial Services

Both the student and the employer should monitor the student’s FWS award balance. Students may not be paid from FWS funds beyond their FWS award. 

• Students may not be paid from FWS funds beyond the employer’s allocation.
  
• Students may not work during their own scheduled class hours.
  
• Students may work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year (including Spring Break), except as noted on the pay schedule, and 35 hours per week during the eligible winter and summer break.
  
• Students may be paid a minimum of $7.25/hour and a maximum of $12.00/hour depending on the job title and job classification assigned by the employer. 
  
• Students may not work more than 6 consecutive hours without taking an unpaid half-hour break. Should a timesheet be submitted for more than 6 consecutive hours of work, the break will be deducted from the total number of hours submitted for payment.
  
• FWS pay periods are bi-weekly and timesheets should be submitted in agreement with that schedule. In
  accordance with federal regulations, students must be paid within four weeks of work performed.
  
• Students can only submit late timesheets for the past four weeks, not including the current pay period.
  Students who work off campus and do not have Direct Deposit can pick up their checks at the Work-Study Office located in 210 Kent Hall. 
  
• FWS students are not eligible for fringe benefits such as paid breaks, paid sick days, paid vacation days, paid holidays, or unemployment benefits.
  
• FWS earnings are fully taxable. The University issues a W-2 to the student at the end of the calendar year that reflects all University earnings for that year.