12 Work-Study Program Qualifications

3. Citizenship and eligible non-citizen status

Federal Work-Study requires U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen status; eligible categories include permanent residents and certain visa statuses that the Department of Education recognizes. International students on many common student visas are generally not eligible for federal work-study, though they might qualify for campus-funded student employment depending on university rules. Schools require documentation to verify status: common items include a U.S. passport, Permanent Resident Card (green card), or other DHS documents that match the federal list of acceptable forms. If you have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or another nuanced status, check with both the federal site and your campus financial aid office because policies and interpretations can vary. What to do next: confirm accepted documents with your aid office and provide copies when asked, and ask whether your school offers institutional work-study for students who don’t meet federal status rules. Official resource: studentaid.gov and your institution’s international student office.