It means that the student can work in a Federal Work Study approved on-campus or community service job to earn funds to help finance his/her education. Almost all student worker jobs on CIU's campus are Federal Work Study (FWS) approved. A FWS student can apply for any approved opening but there is no guarantee of employment. All applicants for student worker jobs must go through the normal hiring process. The award amount means that the student can earn up to that amount without having to claim it as income on the next FAFSA form.