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 2025 – May 2026)
- Attend bi-weekly cohort meetings other CSWS Fellows
- Work 6-8 hours per week for your assigned community organization
- 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
- This program is open to all first years, sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
Program Timeline:
- August 18: Job X Applications Open
- August 18- September 12: Students Apply
- September 15 – 18: Partners Interview Students
- September 19: Organization Sends Top 2 Students to OCEL and OCEL offers position to student
- September 22: Mandatory CSWS Orientation for students
- September 22 – 23: Students Complete Necessary Paperwork
- September 23: Students start
- September 26: First student workshop
- October 10: 2nd CSWS cohort workshop
- October 31: 3rd CSWS cohort workshop
- November 14: 4th CSWS cohort workshop
- November 21: 5th CSWS cohort workshop
- December 5: 6th CSWS cohort workshop
Community Service Work-Study Partner Organizations:
- The Brain and Body Coalition – Program Support (JobX ID: 7026)
- Celebrating the African Spirit – Programmatic and Outreach Support (JobX ID: 7011)
- Vassar Votes – Dorm Voting Advisor (JobX ID: 7027)
- Dutchess County Pride Center (JobX ID: 7018)
- Dutchess Outreach – position filled
- End the New Jim Crow Action Network – Operations and Data Collection (JobX ID: 7013)
- Finish Strong – coming soon
- Hudson River Housing – Resident Support (JobX ID: 7021)
- Poughkeepsie Farm Project – Farm Crew (JobX ID: 7015)
- MASS Design Group – coming soon
- Growing STEMZ – coming soon
How to Apply:
- Search on JobX under Off Campus Community Service Work Study Jobs
- Complete the JobX Application.
- Complete this additional application. If you are applying for the Dorm Voting Advisor position, please complete this interest form instead.
- 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.