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Federal Work-Study

In addition to loans and scholarships, some students defray the cost of law school by taking part in Federal Work-Study job opportunities.

Federal Work-Study

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a federally funded program that provides part-time employment for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay for education related expenses while enrolled in school. The program encourages community service work and work related to the student’s course of study.

To be eligible for FWS consideration students must first complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students must meet and maintain eligibility for financial aid and demonstrate financial need. FWS will be included in the Financial Aid Offer Notification and in the CWSL Financial Aid Portal for all CWSL students who are eligible. 

Unfortunately, no. A finite amount of FWS funds are awarded annually to each school by the government, not on an individual basis for each student. However, it has been our experience that most students who have secured FWS eligible positions are able to earn FWS funds. 

FWS eligible positions can be found on campus in one of our departments, doing research for a professor, or even off campus at an unpaid internship. Available positions are published in the student newsletter and with Career and Professional Development Office (CPDO). Below are examples, not an exhaustive list of employment opportunities. 

On-campus:

  • Admissions Office
  • Career and Professional Development Office
  • Community Law Project
  • Financial Aid Office
  • Institutional Advancement Office
  • Library
  • New Media Rights
  • Trademark Clinic
  • Research Assistant

Off-campus:

  • California DOJ, Office of the Attorney General
  • Casa Cornelia Law Center
  • East Palo Alto Tennis & Tutoring (EPATT)
  • Legal Aid Society of San Diego
  • San Diego County Office of the Public Defender
  • San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program
Do not start working! Email Financial Aid at JavaScript Required with the job information including where you plan to work, your supervisor's name and email address to initiate the hiring process.

Once you are approved by CWSL to start working, you will submit electronic timecards and receive your earnings in semi-monthly paychecks. 

You are eligible to earn up to the dollar amount listed on your financial aid offer over the course of the aid period (usually Fall, Spring, and/ or Summer semesters). You are not guaranteed this money, nor are you required to earn it all. Further, you are responsible for monitoring your hours and earnings so that you do not earn more than your FWS award for the aid period.