Federal Work-Study (FWS) Community Service Requirements and Waiver Process
Schools participating in the Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program must use at least 7% of their federal FWS funds to pay the federal share of wages for students working in community service jobs each award year. Schools are also responsible for contributing the institutional share of these wages.
In addition, each school must have at least one FWS student employed as a reading tutor for children or engaged in family literacy activities, as required by 34 CFR 675.18(g)(1).
Consequences of Non-Compliance
If a school does not meet one or both FWS community service requirements, it may face serious consequences, including:
Returning federal FWS funds based on the shortfall
Fines or penalties
Sanctions such as Limitation, Suspension, and Termination (L, S, & T) from participating in the FWS and other Title IV programs
Requesting a Community Service Waiver
Schools may request a waiver of one or both community service requirements if they can show that fulfilling them would create a hardship for students. Difficulty in compliance alone is not sufficient; schools must provide evidence of exceptional circumstances, such as:
Small FWS Allocation: Limited funds make it impractical to support meaningful community service employment.
Rural Location: Lack of local community service opportunities or high transportation costs.
Specialized Academic Programs: Students are in highly intensive programs that leave no time for community service work.
Additionally, schools affected by FEMA-declared disasters may be eligible for a waiver, as outlined in Dear Colleague Letter 17-08.
How to Submit a 2025–26 Waiver Request
Waiver requests must be submitted electronically via the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) website by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, April 21, 2025.
To submit your request:
Log in to the COD Website.
Click “School” in the top navigation.
Select “Campus-Based” from the side menu.
Click “Forms and Waivers,” then “Manage Application.”
Locate “Community Service Waiver” and click “Create.”
Be sure to indicate whether you’re requesting a waiver for:
The 7% community service spending requirement
The reading tutor/family literacy requirement
Both requirements
You must provide detailed documentation demonstrating student hardship.
Late submissions will not be considered.
Notification Timeline
The Department of Education will notify schools of the decision via email by June 27, 2025. Notifications will be sent to the Financial Aid Administrator listed on the school’s most recent FISAP.
To view the decision letter:
Log in to the COD Website
Select the “School” tab
Click “Campus-Based” > “Self-Service”
Go to “Notifications” to access your waiver determination
For additional guidance or assistance with submitting your waiver, JH Strategic Group is here to help. Our team of Title IV compliance experts is ready to support your institution through every step of the FWS process.
