Federal Work Study for BU Law Students
Federal Work Study is a federally funded financial aid program that assists students in meeting their educational expenses while gaining valuable work experience.
Students at BU Law who demonstrate eligibility and financial need are employed under the Federal Work Study program in positions such as faculty research assistants, Admissions tour guides, library assistants, and in some off-campus positions (many of which are law-related).
The work study award is not a traditional “grant.” Students receive the funds they have been awarded as they earn them, in the form of a weekly paycheck. Because work study is a federal financial aid program, recipients must be US Citizens or Permanent Residents and must file the FAFSA.
In order to use Federal Work Study funds, the employer must be willing to pay a percentage of the student’s hourly wage. For on-campus positions, employers must pay 30%. For off-campus positions, employers must pay 50%.
Academic Year Federal Work-Study
In order to be considered for work-study students must complete the following:
Please note that academic year work study must be included in the total amount of financial aid received, not to exceed the Cost of Attendance, and therefore it may reduce your eligibility for loans.
Summer Federal Work-Study
Students interested in a summer work-study award must submit the following documents:
The deadline to apply for 2025 Summer Federal Work Study is January 31, 2025.
Please Note: Summer Work Study participants are expected to have their total earnings as a resource for the next academic year. Federal regulations require the Law Financial Aid Office to include this as a resource when determining eligibility for financial assistance for the next academic year. Please keep this in mind as accepting Summer Work Study will reduce your ability to borrow federal loans for the upcoming academic year.
The Student Employment Office produces an online job directory that contains on- and off-campus positions. Additional information and required forms can be found at the Student Employment Office website.
All students applying for Public Service Summer Funding are required to apply for summer Work Study. A work study award covers a portion of your summer earnings. International students who are applying for the Public Service Summer Funding do not need to submit a FAFSA because they are not eligible for Federal Work Study since it is federal financial aid.
Note: A Federal Work Study award cannot be applied to unpaid internships or volunteer positions, the only exception being students receiving Public Service Summer Funding.