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Haas Center for Public Service

Community Service Work-Study Academic Year Program

Submission information | Application Process | Selection Process | Wages | Timesheets

Community Service Work-Study (CSWS) Academic Year Program participants can design a service experience in collaboration with a partnering organization at qualified organizations anywhere in the United States.

Applying to the program

Submission information

Apply on SOLO

Application Process

1. Request authorization

Request authorization from the Financial Aid Office verifying your eligibility. You'll receive a return email that reads, "2025-26 CSWS." The CSWS Program will be copied on the email to ensure your eligibility.  You must complete your 2025-26 FAFSA to be eligible.

NOTE: Some applicants who are ineligible for work-study during the academic year may in fact be eligible for work-study during the summer. Therefore, it is important to verify your work-study eligibility for the academic year and summer programs separately.

2. Find an appropriate job

It's up to you to find a placement in an organization or department, arrange an interview, and negotiate a job description.

Make sure your host organization reviews "Partner Organization Eligibility" in CSWS Resources to understand which organizations qualify for the CSWS program.

3. Complete the student application

Find the CSWS Academic Year Program application here.

4. Have your host organization complete the community partner application

Your host organization supervisor must complete an application online. When you complete your application in SOLO, request that a link be sent to your host organization so they can complete the Community Partner Application/Recommendation through SOLO. No actual recommendations are required for this program.

5. Obtain nonprofit status verification

Nonprofit organizations can verify their 501(c)3 status with a letter that includes their federal ID number. Public or government agencies may submit a letter on official letterhead as verification of affiliation. Email a copy of this letter to Yvette Zepeda.

6. Complete the Community Partner Contract

The contract can be completed digitally. Download the contract and use the "Edit Text" option in the Adobe PDF application. Once all electronic signatures are obtained, the supervisor at the partner organization should upload the completed contract onto their Partner Application on SOLO. Electronic signatures are fine; however, they may not be simply typed – they must reflect actual signatures.

NOTE: All signatures must be on the same electronic document. Have the supervisor, additional signatory, and Chief Financial Officer of the organization complete and sign the same contract electronically.

7. Complete your I-9 form

If you have never worked at Stanford, you must complete an I-9 form and provide original supporting documents. Print the form, complete Section 1, and schedule an appointment with Yvette Zepeda to bring in your original documents.

8. Receive approval

The selection committee will review your application and inform you in writing once you have been approved for the CSWS program.

9. Notify your supervisor

Let your partner organization know when you're approved for the CSWS program and the hours you will be working. If you decide not to work with them after submitting your application, please notify Yvette Zepeda immediately.

10. Attend a mandatory orientation

All CSWS participants must attend an orientation at the Haas Center arranged by the CSWS program director.

For questions about any of these steps, contact Program Director Yvette Zepeda.

Selection Process

Applications are reviewed by a selection committee made up of Haas Center staff, and approved participants are notified as soon as possible. The selection criteria includes:

  • Adherence to all existing federal program guidelines regarding the nature of the placement and population served
  • Quality of the application essay
  • Placement opportunity and job description developed by the partner organization
  • Overall value of the experience for the student
  • Level of financial need

Priority is given to students who can commit to working for at least 35 hours per week for nine consecutive weeks.

Important note

  • Community Service Work-Study participants may NOT be paid for the same work through two different programs.

Participant information

Wages

The Financial Aid Office determines the student's eligibility and the maximum earnings allowed per quarter during the academic year. Hourly wages are determined by supervisors and approved by the CSWS program director based on the job requirements and previous relevant Stanford work experience.

The Stanford suggested minimum wage for the Academic Year program is approximately $18–$18.75 per hour, depending upon the job description responsibilities. Once your hourly wage and eligibility limit have been established, you must provide this information to your Partner organization.

Timesheets

In general, timesheets from outside agencies are submitted to the Haas Center for processing according to the University’s regular schedule.

Information about Axess timesheet procedures is provided during the program orientation. Axess time sheets that are not submitted online and approved by your supervisor by the deadline are not paid. No late submissions are allowed. Timesheets must be submitted and approved by the supervisor by the pay period end deadlines.

Students are responsible for tracking wages earned and not exceeding their eligibility limit. Neither the Haas Center nor the Financial Aid Office is responsible for monitoring hours, and any hours worked in excess of the student allocation will deem the University as non-compliant and may jeopardize the program. Please help us keep accurate and timely records so that the program endures and others may participate. The University does not compensate any wages in excess of your eligibility limit.

For reference, see the "Sample Timesheet" on the Resources page.

Important note

  • You may be asked to exit the program if regular, accurate, supervisor-signed timesheets are not submitted in a timely manner.