The Federal Work-Study Program is a great way for non-profit agencies to employ students at little or no cost to themselves, while providing our students with the real world experience, networking opportunities and a pay check they need to succeed.
The regulations set forth by the federal government regarding this program state that an off-campus community service employer must fulfill the following criteria:
Be a local nonprofit, governmental, and/or community-based organization designed to improve the quality of life for community residents, particularly low-income individuals, or to solve particular problems related to their needs.
The community demographic served by the agency must be for the greater good and/or in the public interest. Examples of work not deemed in "the public interest" would be if the work primarily benefits the members of a specific organization that has membership limits, such as a credit union, fraternal or religious order, or a cooperative. Other examples not in the public interest would involve any partisan or nonpartisan political activity or be associated with the attainment of public office, work as a political aide for an elected official, or involves lobbying activities at any level of government. This is not a comprehensive list.
Positions created for and held by work-study students cannot displace or replace regular wage earning workers.
Priority is given to those in the fields of literacy and tutoring, however other common fields include: health care, childcare, welfare, social services, transportation, housing and neighborhood improvement, public safety, crime prevention and control, recreation, rural development, community improvement, and emergency preparedness and response. This is not a comprehensive list.
The Ohio State University has an extremely diverse student body that encompasses a large range of talents, interests and expertise. We need an equally diverse pool of employment opportunities to honor and capitalize on what our students are bringing to the table. If this sounds like a good opportunity for your organization, but you are not sure if you fulfill the requirements, let us know. We would love the opportunity to review your application for eligibility.
The priority date for 2025-2026 Federal Work-Study New Agency Applications is March 14, 2025. Applications received after that date will still be processed, but may not be completed in time to take full advantage of academic year hiring peaks that occur mid-July thru mid-September. Applications submitted in December 2025 will be processed for the following 2026-2027 academic year.
Application:
Federal Work Study New Agency Application 2025-2026 (print PDF)
Federal Work Study New Agency Application 2025-2026 (fillable PDF)
Completed applications may be sent to:
The Ohio State University Federal Work-Study Program
Student Academic Services Bldg., 4th Fl.
281 W. Lane Ave.
Columbus, Ohio, 43210
614-247-8364.
Or they may be scanned and emailed to:
Holly Wilson
Staff assistant, Federal Work-Study Program
Please note, not all of our regional campuses have the resources necessary to support off-campus work-study positions. If your inquiry would best be supported by a regional campus that is prepared to facilitate an off-campus work-study relationship, that inquiry will be forwarded to the appropriate party on that campus.