From the CIO and Vice President for Enrollment, Marketing, and Communications
Posted: Friday, April 10, 2020COVID-19: Payment to Eligible Federal Work-Study Students
Please note the revised scheduled pay date for displaced FWS students (below, 2.c.)
Governor Cuomo’s current directive requires that Federal Work-Study (FWS) students be paid at least through April 15, 2020. Buffalo State's Financial Aid Office will fully comply with the governor’s requirement and extend this time frame to ensure that eligible FWS students are paid through the last day of the spring 2020 semester (May 14, 2020).
As a reminder, Work-Study is a federal financial aid program. As a result, COVID-19 guidance for FWS students will differ from that of other student employees (student assistants and graduate assistants). FWS students’ payments will be based on federal aid regulations and institution discretion as permitted.
Below is a high-level overview of a few of the differences for FWS students when compared with other student employees.
1. FWS students who are still able to work on-site with supervision must report to work to receive payment. This FWS group must continue to submit a biweekly time sheet, and they can earn up to their full scheduled FWS award amount.
2. Eligible FWS students who were displaced by COVID-19 and are unable to work on-site will receive one lump-sum FWS payment based on their spring 2020 average hours worked.
a. Displaced FWS students are not required to participate in telecommuting (remote work), as this is not a requirement to pay FWS students.
b. Displaced FWS students are not required to complete the alternative work form.
c. Wednesday, May 6, 2020, is the revised scheduled pay date for displaced FWS students.
The Financial Aid Office is in the process of notifying FWS students and FWS supervisors regarding next steps. Questions or concerns should be directed to Financial Aid via e-mail at finaid@buffalostate.edu.
