The Department of Education has released updated guidance for institutions seeking a waiver of the Federal Work-Study (FWS) community service requirements for the 2026–27 award year.
What’s required?
Schools participating in FWS must:
- Allocate at least 7% of their FWS funds to student wages for community service jobs, and
- Employ at least one student as a reading tutor or in family literacy activities, unless waived.
Who should consider a waiver?
Institutions that anticipate difficulty meeting one or both requirements (especially due to circumstances that would create hardship for students) may request a waiver. Common justifications historically include limited job opportunities, rural locations, or small program size.
What’s new for 2026–27?
- The waiver request deadline is April 20, 2026.
- Requests must clearly specify which requirement(s) the school is seeking to waive and provide supporting documentation explaining the hardship.
Why it matters
Failure to meet the community service requirements without an approved waiver can result in financial penalties or the return of funds, making timely review and submission critical for compliance.
If your institution may fall short of FWS community service requirements, now is the time to assess eligibility and prepare a waiver request before the April deadline.
For additional information see: (CB-26-07) 2026–27 Federal Work-Study Program Community Service Waiver Requests