The Community Service Work Study program is a federal program that allows students with a federal work-study allowance in their financial aid award to work at a local not-for-profit organization to provide services that benefit the local community. The Office of Community Engaged Learning (OCEL) Community-Service Work-Study (CSWS) Program supports students who have a passion for community engagement and social justice and qualify for federal work-study. The CSWS Program allows students an opportunity to support community identified projects of the OCEL’s partner organizations. Students are expected to commit to the organization for the full academic year, attend bi-weekly workshops with OCEL Staff, and work 6-8 hours a week at a community partner. Learn more about Community Service Work Study at Vassar here.
Student Expectations
- Apply to and be selected by one of the OCEL’s partner organizations
- Commit to the work-study position and CSWS Program for the full academic year (September – May)
- Attend an OCEL CSWS Orientation
- Complete a weekly reflection form to share about your experience
- Attend and participate in bi-weekly cohort meetings other CSWS Students
- Schedule an individual meeting to check-in with OCEL staff mid-semester
- Submit a final reflection at the end of the semester to the OCEL
- Work 6-8 hours per week for your assigned community organization
- This program is open to all first years, sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
Academic Year 2026 – 26 Program Timeline:
- August 15: Job X Applications Open
- August 15- September 20: Students Apply
- September 21: OCEL sends student applications to partners
- September 21 – 28: Partners Interview Students
- September 28: Organization Sends Top 2 Students to OCEL and OCEL offers positions to student
- September 28 – October 2: Students reply with decision and students Complete Necessary Paperwork
- September 28: Students start with Partners
- October 5: First CSWS student workshop
Community Service Work-Study Partner Organizations:
Open Positions
- Celebrating the African Spirit – read the position description here
- Hudson River Housing – read the position description here
- Growing STEMZ – read the position description here
- DAY ONE Early Learning Community – read the position description here
Positions are Filled for the following Community Partners
- The Brain and Body Coalition – all positions filled
- Vassar Votes – Civic Engagement Team – all positions filled
- End the New Jim Crow Action Network (ENJAN) – all positions filled
- Arlington Partners Against Racism – all positions filled
- Poughkeepsie Farm Project – all positions filled
- Dutchess Outreach – all positions filled
- Community Matters 2 – all positions filled
How to Apply:
OCEL Community Service Work Study positions will be posted in mid-August
- Search on JobX under Off Campus Community Service Work Study Jobs
- Complete the JobX Application.
- Complete this additional application.
- Community Partners will reach out to you directly to set up interviews.
Please review the required forms that must be submitted to Student Employment here.