Federal Work-Study

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The Federal Work Study program (FWS) is supported by federal and institutional (or external employer) funding. The program is administered by the Office of Financial Aid as eligibility for the Federal Work Study program is based on demonstrated financial need and enrollment of at least half-time study.

New York Law School is committed to enhancing the educational and professional experience of our students and, therefore, assists in identifying part-time law-related employment opportunities for students. We are fortunate that the FWS program allows us to fund opportunities that would not be available without the subsidy. Placement is available in a variety of settings, including public interest and nonprofit organizations, private law firms, government agencies, and community justice centers, as well as numerous on-campus placements. FWS awards do not exceed $5000 for the academic year, although awards will vary, based on need and fund availability.

Full-time students may work up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session and 35 hours per week during extended holidays and summers. Participants are paid hourly, based on actual hours worked. Earnings through the program are subject to federal, state and local income taxes.

Federal Work Study for the summer is available. The net proceeds of summer Federal Work Study earnings for students who are not enrolled in the summer session on at least a half-time basis will be considered an available resource toward meeting the educational cost of the subsequent period of enrollment (the next academic year) and may have an impact on the amount of financial aid awarded.

Procedures and Rules

Please read the following information carefully and in its entirety.

REQUIRED PRIOR TO PAYROLL:

A) Federal Work-Study eligible

B) An Authorization To Hire Form with required supervisor signature for all on-campus

C) A valid signed FWS Agreement for off-campus employer (s)

D) Completed I-9 and W-4 tax related forms with required documentation

All of the above procedures must be completed before you may begin working.

Eligible Dates

2007-2008 academic year work-study begins on August 22, 2007. Students may work up until May 15, 2008. Hours worked outside of these dates will be considered non-paid voluntary employment.

On-Campus Placements

Numerous positions are available On-Campus at NYLS during the summer. Positions are available in Administrative Offices, Research Assistants, Help Desk positions, or the Library. On-Campus placements hourly pay rate is $13.00 an hour. Students may work up to 35 hours a week.

Employment Steps:

Secure a position with department or professor
Bring a passport or social security card to the OFA to complete tax forms and obtain a Authorization to Hire Form
Have your supervisor sign Authorization to Hire Form
Return Authorization to Hire form to the OFA

Off-Campus Placements

Nonprofit Organizations and Government Agencies:

Students may work for non-profit organizations and government agencies. All employers are required to contribute 25% of the hourly wage and pay employment taxes of 11.26% on 100% of the total gross earnings. Additionally, employers must have a valid contract (see WORK-STUDY CONTRACTS) on file with the Office of Financial Aid. All employers will receive a monthly billing invoice from NYLS for monies due. Non-Profit summer placements hourly rates can range from $10.00 to $20.00 an hour based upon your employment job duties. Students may work up to 35 hours a week. A valid I-9 and W-4 must also be on file with the Office of Financial Aid.

Certain employers are not eligible for work-study placements.

Employment Steps:

Secure a position with a non-profit agency

Verify that the agency can contribute their percentage of your wages and employment taxes

Bring a passport or social security card to the OFA to complete tax forms

Complete an Employer Contact Form available in the OFA

For-Profit Firms and Corporations:

Students may work Off-Campus at for-profit law firms and corporations. Eligible law firms may have no more than 5 practicing attorneys in the firm. Similarly, all eligible corporations must be categorized as a Small Business under the North American Industry Classification System. All employers are required to contribute 50% of the hourly wage and pay employment taxes of 11.26% on 100% of the total gross earnings. Additionally, employers must have a valid contract (see WORK-STUDY CONTRACTS) on file with the Office of Financial Aid. All employers are required to pay the student 100% of the wages owed. Upon proof of payment, 50% of the wages will be reimbursed to the employer. For-Profit summer placements hourly rates can range from $10.00 to $20.00 an hour based upon your employment job duties. Students may work up to 35 hours a week.

Employment Steps:

Secure a position with an off-campus law firm or corporation

Verify employer is willing and eligible to participate in the FWS program

Complete an Employer Contact Form available in the OFA

Public Service Corps (PSC)

PSC is an umbrella agency that places students in a variety of New York City agencies including Corporation Counsel; Administration of Children's Services and the Law Department; the hourly pay rate is $12.86 an hour for all intern placements. Students planning on working at an eligible city agency must complete a PSC application. Students who want to return to their summer placement for the academic year should complete the PSC Supplemental application. Completed applications must be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid and will be forwarded to the PSC Placement Coordinator Mr. Terry Denson for review. The PSC Coordinator will contact you once the application has been received to schedule an interview with you. A listing of all placements is available at the Public Service Office located at One Centre South Street-17th Floor, New York, New York 10007.

PSC Application
PSC Supplemental Application

Payroll

All students working on-campus, non-profit agencies are paid via the NYLS payroll. All students are required to complete a W-4, an I-9 and provide documentation that you are eligible to work in the United States. Appropriate documentation may include a US passport or driver's license and Social Security card. W-4 for 2007 and the I-9 forms are also available at the Human Resources Office or the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid. If you have previously been on the NYLS payroll, if applicable, please update your payroll status.

As a participant in the Federal Work-Study program it is important that you monitor your accumulated earnings. You can earn no more than your awarded allocation, which represents maximum gross earnings (both the employer share and the FWS share). Any hours worked in excess of your FWS allocation cannot be paid. You must negotiate any additional payment with your employer.

Time Cards

Time cards and a payroll schedule are available on the 6th floor of the A Building in front of the Student Accounts Office. Your on-site supervisor must sign all time cards. Original time cards must be dropped off in the time card bin located on the (6th floor) by the date and time indicated on the payroll schedule. Failure to submit signed timecards on the due dates will delay the processing of your work-study earnings.

Work-Study Contracts

All off-campus employers (EXCEPT Public Service Corps) must have a valid 2007-2008 academic year work-study contract (the Contract is a formal agreement between NYLS and the employer to participate in the Work Study Program) on file in the Office of Financial Aid. The work study contract is NOT required for Public Service Corps placements.