Community Work-Study (CWS) Student Information
Preparing Students for Careers
The Alamo Colleges CWS Program provides federal financial aid-eligible students the opportunity to work part-time at a 501(c)3 non-profit or governmental agencies or at public school districts that serve the public interest. These positions bridge the gap between the classroom and real-world knowledge and develop your career and academic interests.
CWS offers numerous benefits for students, you will:
- have the opportunity to gain relevant career experience
- acquire additional clarity on your career choice
- see the community’s needs and contribute to the welfare of others
- make contacts with professionals who can help you when seeking a job or an internship
- build your resume to include work experience that is related to your field of study
- improve your job prospects after graduation
CWS is available to work-study eligible students in all majors, although there may not always be positions available related to each major. If you do not find a CWS position that aligns with or is related to your major, you might consider the Private Work-Study (PWS) Program (link to PWS student page). Be aware that PWS jobs MUST be related to your major, and that these employers often are seeking students who have some relevant courses completed or who have some work experience in the field of study.
FAQs
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To become eligible, students must
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Texas Application for State Financial Aid and any additional verification requirements.
- Be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours within your degree plan.
- Be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
- Students must have room for need-based aid in their Cost of Attendance (COA).
- Submit a Work-Study Application
If you do not see the work-study opportunity offered on your Financial Aid tab in ACES, visit the financial aid office or submit a Work-Study Application for your selected Home College.
- Go to alamo.edu/careerprep (ACES login required)
- Click on Work-Study and Internship Opportunities, under Position Type select Community Work-Study and review the postings that end in CWS
- Select up to three positions that interest you. Ideally, that are aligned with your field of study (major)
- Workplace etiquette, professionalism, and appropriate dress is expected
- Employers depend on your reliability and consistency with your regular work schedule
- You are required to attend an Onboarding Session (4 hours, paid) at the end of the first month you are employed
- You are required to attend the End-of-Semester Summit (2 hours, paid) at the end of each semester
CWS students may begin working on the first day of class through the last day of class each semester. CWS students may work through college breaks and holidays, if they chose, so long as the employer provides supervision, and you remain work-study eligible.
When you accept a CWS job, you are committing to remaining with the employer for a minimum of one semester. Your position can be extended if the employer invites you to remain with them for the next semester.
You will determine your weekly schedule with your supervisor on the first day of work. The employer is required to work around your class schedule.
You may work up to 19 hours per week, based on your funding available, at the same pay rate as on-campus work-study students.
You will be paid on the 1st and the 15th of each month.
The following is a brief list of the over 250 positions available through the CWS program.
Accounting Assistant |
Farmers Market Assistant |
Marketing Associate |
To see the list of CWS positions, go to www.alamo.edu/careerprep (via ACES).
Click on Work-Study and Internship Opportunities
Under Position Type select Community Work-Study
Review the postings that end in CWS.
Below is a list of some of the CWS employers eager to hire Alamo Colleges work-study students.
AES Literacy Institute |
Gabriella’s Smile Foundation |
San Antonio Botanical Garden |
To see the list of CWS positions, go to www.alamo.edu/careerprep (via ACES).
Click on Work-Study and Internship Opportunities
Under Position Type select Community Work-Study
Review the postings that end in CWS.
Step 1. Submit Application
- Click on Off-Campus Work-Study Online Application
- Scroll to Search Jobs
- Select your home college
- Click “Apply Now,” submit application
- Email kdriscoll2@alamo.edu and us know you have submitted your application
Step 2. Select Jobs
- See the CWS jobs on the job board at www.alamo.edu/careerprep (goes through ACES)
- On left, click on Work-Study Opportunities
- Then click on Employment Opportunities
- Select Position Type: Community Work-Study, click Search
- On right margin, select Sort By option
- Click Search
- Navigate to the bottom of the page to load all CWS Positions
- Select up to 3 CWS jobs
Step 3. Format your Resume
- Create your resume, in this required format: CWS.PWS Resume EG
- Email your resume and cover letter(s) (as a WORD attachment) and up to kdrriscoll2@alamo.edu
- Edit your resume and cover letter(s) as directed
Step 4. Complete the Human Resources process
- Sign Documents
- HR documents (Adobe Sign)
- Background Check (email from HIRE Right)
- ID verification (I9 Tracker)
- Submit IDs/Bank information
- Two current IDs (License or State ID or Alamo Student ID & Social Security Card or Official Birth Certificate or US Passport)
- Direct deposit (A voided check, or direct deposit information from the bank)
Step 5. Interview; Start Job
- Accept job when offered a position
- Read the Off-Campus Work-Study Student Handbook
- Start job
Questions about CWS
Email dst-careerprep@alamo.edu
Contact Us
Phone: 210-485-0142 |
Email: |