The Federal Work Study (FWS) program at the University of Nebraska at Kearney is comprised of both on-campus positions and off-campus positions. The off-campus positions are part of the Community Service component of the FWS program. Before we can refer students to these off-campus community service positions, a contract must be in place and contracts are completed in the spring or early summer prior to the academic year.
The Agency that would like to hire UNK students must apply for and be accepted to participate in this program. This application includes completing a “needs assessment” and providing us with a position description for each different student position the Agency would like to employ. With this information, we will then determine if the Agency is an appropriate fit for this community service component.
If the Agency is approved, then UNK and the Agency will enter into a contract which outlines the operating guidelines for the partnership. The FWS positions at the Agency will be advertised through the UNK Student Employment website and students who are eligible to participate in the FWS program can apply directly to the Agency.
The statutory definition of "community service" is broad. It includes services that are designed to improve the quality of life for community residents, particularly low-income individuals, or to solve particular problems related to their needs. They include, among others:
fields such as health care, child care, literacy training, education (including tutorial services), welfare, social services, transportation, housing and neighborhood improvement, public safety, crime prevention and control, recreation, rural development, and community improvement;
support services to students with disabilities; and
activities in which a student serves as a mentor for such purposes as tutoring, supporting educational and recreational activities, and counseling, including career counseling.
To be considered employed in a community service job for FWS purposes; an FWS student does not have to provide a “direct” service. The student must provide services that are designed to improve the quality of life for community residents or to solve particular problems related to those residents’ needs.
Community Service Work Study job listings
Becca Dobry
Work Study Coordinator
Phone: 308-865-8520
Email: finaid1@unk.edu
Fax: 308-865-8096