Federal -Study Student Assistant - Orange Coast College Academic Year

Federal Work-Study Student Assistant Program

Accepting applications for academic year: 2026 - 2027

Federal Work-Study, also referred to as FWS, is one of the three major federal student aid programs from the U.S. Department of Education. It is designed to provide part-time employment to students who have established significant financial need according to federal guidelines. The federal government pays a percentage of the student's salary; the school pays the remainder. FWS is part of the total financial aid package and is not intended to be the sole source of assistance.

Many students either seek a position related to their career objective or seek positions that offer skill development. In either case, the FWS Program is intended to provide a balance between the interests of the student and the needs of the department.

Orange Coast College's 164-acre campus is located in Costa Mesa, just minutes from Southern California's beautiful beaches, with its main campus in Costa Mesa and a campus in Newport Beach (Waterfront Campus). Orange Coast College (OCC) was founded in 1947 with the mission to serve the educational needs of a diverse local and global community. The College empowers students to achieve their goals by providing high-quality, culturally responsive, and innovative programs and services through pathways leading to degrees, transfers, certificates, foundational skills, workforce development, and lifelong learning.

The College promotes student development, learning, and equitable outcomes by fostering a respectful, inclusive, caring, and participatory campus climate of student engagement and academic inquiry. Ideal candidates for this position will share OCC's dedication to transforming lives through education, with a strong commitment to serving a diverse and vibrant student population.

The Coast Community College District is a multi-college district that includes Coastline Community College, Golden West College, and Orange Coast College. The three colleges offer programs in transfer, general education, occupational/technical education, community services, and student support services. Coastline, Golden West, and Orange Coast colleges enroll more than 60,000 students each year in more than 300 degree and certificate programs. Since its founding in 1947, the Coast Community College District has enjoyed a reputation as one of the leading community college districts in the United States.

The Coast Community College District values diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and anti-racism by creating a culture of inclusive excellence that uplifts employees and students through an environment that is equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible.

The Coast Community College District (Orange Coast College, Golden West College, and Coastline) continues to strengthen its efforts around diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and anti-racism. Orange Coast College is focused on creating a culture of inclusive excellence by uplifting employees and students through an environment that is equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible. We place strong emphasis on building an inclusive culture and atmosphere of belonging.

Student employment provides an opportunity to earn money and continue your education, train with people who manage the day-to-day business of the institution you attend, and combine your academic study with on-the-job experience. Job opportunities under this program offer you temporary employment with the Coast Community College District. Employment can range from summer jobs to positions that last as long as you are a student.

These employment opportunities can be related to your academic field of study, but do not need to be. The Student Employment Program consists of opportunities available in one of these specific roles within the program:
General-Student Assistant, Federal Work-Study Student Assistant, CalWORKs Work-Study Student Assistant.

Non-academic, non-classified Student Assistants are not part of the classified service. The Education Code prohibits the displacement of classified personnel and impairment of existing contracts by either the employment of full-time or part-time students in any college work-study program or in a work experience education program. Student Assistants are at-will employees, have no entitlement rights to any position in the District, and are not benefits-eligible.

During the fall and spring semesters, Student Assistants may work up to 19.5 hours per week. During the Winter Intercession and Summer (June–August), when students are enrolled in classes, Student Assistants may work up to 28 hours per week. If students are not enrolled in classes, Student Assistants may work up to 40 hours per week. When there are no classes in session (i.e., spring break or between sessions), Student Assistants may work up to 40 hours per week.

A student assistant works in a particular department of the college or the district site and has job responsibilities specifically designed for a…