Work-Study Programs for Welfare Recipients: A Job Creation Strategy That Combines Work and Education

Abstract

This report asserts that college work-study programs have been very successful in creating wage-paying jobs for low-income students who need funds for college expenses. There are compelling reasons to build on this legacy of college work-study to create new work-study initiatives designed explicitly for welfare recipients. Some of the key program design and implementation issues that should be considered in planning new work-study initiatives are described. Two programs are described that could serve as programmatic bases for new initiatives: The Federal Work-Study (FWS) program, which has operated for more than 30 years, and California's state-funded work-study program. Some of the key design issues are establishing and funding an effective program structure, selecting recipients, and developing appropriate placements. How to avoid reductions in future student financial aid and other benefits and how to prevent displacement of current FWS participants are other issues to consider. The likely alternative to work-study programs for welfare recipients is reduction in welfare recipients' access to postsecondary education, something that may undermine the efforts of states and local communities to promote long-term economic self-sufficiency among their poorest residents. (SLD)