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Carnegie Mellon Heinz School Policy Management Information Technology
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Federal Community Work Study (FCS) 

The Heinz School participates in the Federal Community Service (FCS) work study program during the academic year and summer work periods.

Student Eligibility at the Heinz School

  • Must be enrolled as a full-time student at the Heinz School
  • Must have a federal work study award.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or federal-aid-eligible non-citizen.
  • Must submit the FAFSA and Heinz School Financial Aid Application and must have financial need to meet the application requirements.
  • Federal guidelines state: “Work performed must improve the quality of life for community residents, particularly low income individuals, or solve particular problems related to their needs”. These are generally nonprofit organizations.
  • Work hours eligibility:
    • Generally 6-9 hours/week, while enrolled full-time during the academic year.
    • Maximum of 40 hours/week during the summer period of non-enrollment, if enrolled full-time prior to summer employment and enrolled full-time following summer employment. Only if granted a summer work study award.

Steps in the Approval Process

  1. After meeting eligibility requirements and upon receiving a job offer from a Nonprofit employer, ask the employer to complete and sign the FCS Approval Form. Submit to Mary Lou Brososky or Martin Black, Heinz Career Services.
  2. Once the approval form is received, Ms. Pati Kravetz, Director of Student Employment at Carnegie Mellon will contact the employer to ensure the job meets federal guidelines. Once approved, the employer will sign a contract which enables Carnegie Mellon to bill them for 25% of the student salary.
  3. Fill out the first section of the Student Information Form from the Office of Fiscal Management, HBH 1107 and turn in to Mary Lou Brososky, HBH A004, Career Services. She will complete the “Hiring Supervisor” section and will hold the form until the position is approved, and then will submit to the Financial Aid office.
  4. Complete the required forms at Payroll Services.

Note: Payroll Services is located at 4516 Henry Street, Carnegie Mellon’s UTDC building. Your social security card is required. Even though the FCS organization may be off-campus, your paychecks are generated from Carnegie Mellon University

Students are not authorized to begin working until the position has been approved. Students will be notified via email as soon as the position is approved. Students will not be paid for work already performed if the position is not approved.

  • Students hired through the FCS work study program are required to fill out bi-weekly timecards that have been signed by your supervisor. Submit to Mary Lou Brososky for her signature, as well, and place the original in the wooden box outside of HBH 1107. Students will receive detailed information from Keith Teague, Heinz Fiscal Management regarding pay periods, timecard process, and where to pick-up your paycheck.
  • List of Past Participating Employers