Community Service

At WPI, work-study provides students with the opportunity to earn money while gaining useful skills and important experience. As part of the Community Service Work-Study program, students are helping out—both on and off campus—by completing worthwhile community service.

Community Service Work-Study vs. Federal Work-Study

The Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) provides eligible undergraduate students with part-time employment to help meet their financial needs while giving them valuable work experience. Beginning in the 2000-2001 award year, colleges and universities receiving FWS funds were required to use at least seven percent of their total annual FWS allocation to pay the wages of FWS students in community service placements. In other words, the government thinks that community service is important—and so does WPI. To meet this seven percent, we are asking all students to complete a minimum of 15 hours of community service throughout the academic year (A-D Terms).

While all students who qualify for and accept their Federal Work-Study must complete the minimum 15 hours of service, students can also choose to fulfill their entire work-study award through community service by enrolling in the Community Service Work-Study (CSWS) program. Students who enroll in the CSWS program automatically meet the 15-hour community service requirement.

Community Service Work-Study Benefits

Community Service Work Study (CSWS) program is a great opportunity: You’ll earn money while working in service positions in the local community during the academic year. You’ll gain so much by performing community service, including valuable, hands-on experience—experience that you cannot learn in a classroom. For many students, this is their first job, and it helps them explore their talents and define their career goals.

To find updated job postings that qualify as CSWS, visit the Division of Talent and Inclusion Student Employment Page.  If you are interested in volunteering for a community agency that isn't listed, stop by the Office of Student Aif and Financial Literacy to get the site you're interested in approved for CSWS.  You can find more information about CSWS as a form of Federal Work Study here.

Service Van

Want to give back to the community, but don’t have a ride? The WPI Community Service Van provides transportation for any WPI student volunteering at community service agencies within a 10-mile radius of the city of Worcester.

Hours

The Community Service Van is available seven days a week, from 8:00am to 7:00pm. Please submit requests for appointments at least 24 hours in advance. Submitting a request form does not guarantee that a driver will be available to fulfill your request; accommodations will be made based on staff availability.

How to Schedule

  • Fill out the Community Service Van Request Form at least 24 hours in advance of your desired pick-up time, and bring it to the Community Service Center on the 3rd floor of the Campus Center.
  • You will receive a confirmation email the evening before your requested pick-up time. In the event that we are unable to fulfill your request, you will receive a notification email and an invitation to use public transportation in exchange for later reimbursement from the Community Service Center.

Where to Meet

Please meet the van in front of the Bartlett Center.

Forms