Providing Opportunities and Aid to Students for the Betterment of the Community: The Reciprocal Nature of The Purdue Federal Work Study Program
At its core, engagement is about intertwining the resources of higher education with the needs of the community. Through this process, there is an exchange that occurs—students and faculty learn new skills and acquire more knowledge when addressing an existing issue, and members of a community reap the benefits from collaborating on creating solutions.
Federal Work Study, a form of financial aid that provides funding for certain on and off-campus jobs, helps to make this exchange possible. It allows students to earn money to help pay education expenses, potentially reducing their need for loans. This feature on the Purdue Federal Work Study program examines the recent engagement work that is happening on campus and the communities that are positively impacted by this partnership.
Learn more about the Office of Engagement’s Protocol and Framework.
The Focus that Drives the Purdue Federal Work Study Program
The Purdue Federal Work Study program is designed so that the Federal Work Study funds pay a share of the student’s wages when the student works for a qualified employer. Nonprofits, public schools, federal/state/local agencies, and some locations on Purdue University’s campus are eligible to hire Federal Work Study students in these community service roles.
The program provides meaningful, financially supportive employment opportunities for students while simultaneously strengthening relationships between Purdue and the surrounding community. By partnering with local nonprofits and organizations, the program creates reciprocal pathways of support: students gain valuable professional experience and financial assistance, while employers benefit from motivated, cost-effective labor.
For the Center for Career Opportunities, the Division of Financial Aid and the Bursar’s Office, this program is vital. It embodies all their commitment to student success, experiential learning, and community engagement.
The Purdue Federal Work Study Program’s Impacts of Meaningful and Mutual Community Engagement
The program has had a powerful impact on multiple fronts. For students, it eases the financial strain of tuition and living expenses while equipping them with essential skills like time management, communication, and problem-solving. In the 2023-2024 school year, 50 students were employed through this program. The following school year, 2024-2025, the number of students employed nearly doubled, going up to 99. Many of these jobs align closely with students’ career aspirations, making the experience even more valuable. In a way, students become unexpected ambassadors for the program. Their positive experiences help various community partners understand the benefits of the Federal Work Study program. One student walked around town to spread the word about his personal experience with the program. He was so enthusiastic and persuasive that he not only helped build connections with new partners but also landed himself a job in the process. For employers, especially nonprofits, the program provides much-needed staffing support at a subsidized rate, enabling them to accomplish more and serve the community more effectively. The organizations gain access to a diverse, energetic talent pool and often find that students bring fresh ideas and new perspectives to their work.
Beyond numbers, the real impact is seen in the relationships built, the confidence students develop, and the ways the community and Purdue grow together. This program truly fosters reciprocal relationships. What makes the partnership especially meaningful between community nonprofits and Purdue are the shared investment in student development and community betterment.
Organizations aren’t just giving students jobs; they’re mentoring them, shaping their futures, and often inspiring career paths. In return, Purdue students bring energy, creativity, and a strong work ethic that helps these organizations thrive. This mutual exchange of value creates a strong, lasting bridge between campus and community.
Looking Ahead with the Purdue Federal Work Study Program
The program will continue to grow in both size and scope. In just two years, the number of community partners has doubled; going from 18 in 2023-2024 to 36 in 2024-2025. As more community organizations recognize the benefits of partnering with Purdue through the Federal Work Study, program supervisors anticipate expanding the network of nonprofit employers.
There is also a goal to increase student awareness of the program and its opportunities through targeted outreach, storytelling, and peer advocacy. Ultimately, the program envisions a robust ecosystem where students not only find jobs but discover pathways to careers, and employers become co-educators, helping further shape Purdue students into tomorrow’s leaders, innovators, and changemakers.