Federal work-study program faces cuts

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

Hannah Zwick put herself through college by working as a fundraiser for her university under the federal work-study program. She liked the job so much that she decided to pursue a career in education.

“That was a game changer for me,” said Zwick, 25, who now works for an education technology company along with studying toward a graduate degree. “Work-study opened up that opportunity that pretty much set me up on my career path.”

But future students may not be so lucky. The Trump administration’s 2018 budget seeks to cut funding for work-study nearly in half from $990 million to $500 million, leaving 300,000 students without access to the program.

The Education Department says the change will make the program better targeted by focusing on undergraduate students who would benefit most. The reductions are part of a 13 percent funding cut for the department, which involves student aid and K-12 programs.

Since it was launched in 1964, work-study has enjoyed bipartisan support and proposed cuts were met with criticism from advocates, Democrats and some Republicans. Sen. Roy Blunt, a Missouri Republican who chairs the Appropriations subcommittee dealing with education spending, warned this week that the reductions would be hard, if not impossible, to accept.

“Broadly speaking, it’s going to make it more difficult for students and their parents to afford college,” said Daniel T. Madzelan, assistant vice president at the American Council on Education.

Judith Scott-Clayton, associate professor of economics and education at Columbia University Teachers’ College, said work-study has shown to have a positive effect on college persistence and completion, especially for low-income students, according to a recent study.

Under the program, the federal government gives money to college and universities, which covers up to 75 percent of the salaries of undergraduate and graduate students working on campus.

Students typically work 10-15 hours per week for an average annual award of some $1,730, according to government figures.

Typical jobs include community services and tutoring. The program has benefited more than 40 million students over the years.