NASFAA Reauthorization Task Force Preliminary Recommendations

Federal Work Study Program (FWS)-Part C

Issue 1:  Community Service Requirement [Section 443(b)(2)(B)]

Recommendation:  Allow those schools which can certify that ten percent of their student body is involved in community service to be exempt from any FWS community service spending requirements.

Rationale:  NASFAA strongly supports the notion that all members of the higher education community should participate in community service activities that will benefit the Nation and engender in all a sense of social responsibility and commitment to the community. Because many institutions have a strong commitment to community service and incorporate it into their philosophies and program structures, and because we believe incentives to grow community service initiatives are more productive than mandates, we recommend recognizing the efforts of schools that are successful in this regard. Recognizing that the development and nurturing of exemplary community service programs, even in the absence of JLD participation, is very important, NASFAA recommends encouraging such activity via the creation of a model community service program award to be given annually to schools that exemplify the best of community service. Recognized schools could also receive preferential treatment for the allocation of FWS funds. 

Issue 2: Community Service Requirement [Section 443(b)(2)(B)]

Recommendation: Expand and clarify the conditions under which the Secretary may grant a waiver of the utilization of Federal Work-Study funds for community service. Do not prescribe in the law what the requirements beyond the 7% will be as each institution has varying degrees of access to community service opportunities for its students.   

Rationale: Many institutions have a strong commitment to community service which is incorporated it into their institutional philosophies and program structures. These institutions often have difficulty meeting the current 7% requirement to expend Federal Work-Study funds on community service. This statutory change is suggested to permit the Secretary to recognize schools that have voluntarily undertaken substantial community service activities, and not because of a government mandate. In so doing, the Secretary could avoid penalizing schools that are unable to meet the federal commitment because community service slots are not available for Federal Work-Study student workers in the community due to the schools' other community service activities.

Issue 3: Purpose [Section 441(c)(1)]

Recommendation: Expand the definition of community service to include child care services provided only to campus employees and students.  

Rationale: The current statute includes "child care services provided on campus that are open and accessible to the community" in the definition of community service. Many campus based childcare facilities have wait lists due to the demand from the school's employees and students for affordable and convenient childcare. In such cases other members of the community at large are unable to use these services as the students or students and employees have first priority. Expansion of the definition would recognize that these child care facilities are in fact providing quality and affordable child care to members of the community who happen to be employees or students of the school.   

Issue 4: Job Location and Development Programs [Section 446(a)]

Recommendation: Increase the amount for Federal Work-Study locations that can be used for Job Location and Development (JLD) Programs from 10 percent or $50,000 to 15 percent or $75,000.  

Rationale: The JLD program has successfully assisted many students to find part-time jobs while attending school. In addition to serving as an important financial resource for students, the program provides students with career related jobs that offer an opportunity for job exploration and resume building. Students are able to gain invaluable experience that helps direct them to an appropriate career and makes them better candidates in the job market upon graduation. Many colleges would be able to expand these advantages to even more students if the JLD levels were increased. The current levels have not been increased in over ten years. NASFAA believes that increased demand for the program and inflation since the last increase justify this recommendation. This provision does not represent an increase in an institution's Federal Work-Study allocation or any increase in federal expenditures.   

Issue 5: Job Location and Development Programs [Section 446(a)]  

Recommendation: Allow an institution to use 20 percent or up to $100,000 of its Federal Work-Study allocation for a Job Location and Development (JLD) program if at least 5 percent or $25,000 of this amount is specifically allocated to the development of off-campus community service jobs.  

Rationale: There is a growing national interest in providing opportunities for students to engage in community service work. Although the original JLD language includes developing community service jobs as allowable JLD activities, NASFAA feels that schools will be encouraged to increase their programs even more if the JLD funding limits are expanded. Allowing additional funds to be used to dedicate staff and resources to developing community service jobs enables institutions to expand their programs to the greatest possible number of students and community service providers. Since JLD positions are not limited to Title IV-eligible students, this provision provides an incentive for institutions to encourage a broad range of its students to engage in community service and signifies Congressional support for these activities. This recommendation does not represent an increase in an institution's Federal Work-Study allocation or any increase in overall federal expenditures.

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Posted October 11, 2002 on www.NASFAA.org, the Web Site of the
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