Field Directors

Hello!  I am curious if anyone has successfully integrated work study with practicum placements as a source of payment for students.  We are going to be meeting with our financial aid office soon to discuss this as an option.  I don't know enough to know what to ask.   A few things I have thought of: Does the placement site need to be at the university to qualify for work study or any non-profit?  Is there a difference in the hours that they qualify for work study vs the number of hours needed for practicum? What is needed on the end of the agency to be a placement site for paid work study?  

Any other ideas or thoughts would be greatly appreciated or shared experience of successful integration.   TY!!!

------------------------------
Janelle Groover
+1 (505) 401-9328
------------------------------

Hi,

I agree with Sarah, and wanted to also add that Federal Work Study (at least with our university) only covers a small amount of the hours for what MSW students need.  For instance, at our NJ state school, Rowan University, due to budget cuts, each qualifying student can earn a maximum of only 130 hours of work study.  This left us with an issue of the student not getting paid for the remainder of their hours.  If there is an employer willing to supplement the hours, that works great!   A lot of our non-profit partners simply do not have the budget to do so.  Our dept started to look for grants to help support the labor work force and we were lucky enough to secure another funding stream which we use to supplement work study.  We only have enough to help support about 5 students, but we are happy to be starting somewhere. 

We have more success in connecting our MSW students with those agencies that have vacant entry level positions available (case management, in-home services, peer support/coaching, etc)  and will provide an employment-based internship opportunity.  This has been wonderful for our students who need to work and a much needed pipeline for our community partners who are struggling to find good workers.  These agencies usually offer jobs to our students once they graduate --so win-win for everyone!   

------------------------------
Staci Fattore, LCSW
Field Education Director
Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ
fattore@rowan.edu
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Aug 19, 2025 14:37
From: Sarah Brown
Subject: Work Study

Hi, 

We actually already do this, and it has been a very positive experience. 

When we first started, we requested a list from our Work-Study Coordinator of all agencies with active FWS contracts. We then cross-referenced that list with our existing practicum sites and identified the agencies where we had a shared relationship. From there, we reached out only to those agencies to explore the doing the practicum work study. The response was overwhelmingly positive-many agencies were excited about the opportunity and eager to participate.

Now, as part of our ongoing process, we receive a list each spring from the Work-Study office of students who qualify and connect them with agencies that offer FWS placements where we have that dual relationship. In addition, when we onboard new agencies for practicum, we make a point to discuss Work-Study opportunities so they are aware of this option from the start.

This approach has allowed us to streamline the process and ensure students benefit from both meaningful practicum experiences and financial support.

Thanks!

Sarah Brown, LCSW

Director of Practicum and Professional Development 

Monmouth University 

Staci Fattore was very generous with her time in providing us guidance in getting it started at our institution. After years of trying to get it started, the process was fairly simple. Our financial aid (FA) office was very helpful. My recommendations, having just been through this, is to be sure you're clear on who is responsible for what, how many spots they have for students (or amounts), what the maximum amount is that students can get (because as Staci mentioned there is a cap for the year), timelines, etc. 

------------------------------
Corinne Warrener
MSW Program Director
Clark Atlanta University
Atlanta GA
+1 (404) 880-8531
------------------------------