This Electronic Announcement provides information about the application process for schools interested in participating in the Work Colleges Program under the Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program for the 2026–27 award year. To participate, schools must comply with all provisions of Section 448 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), and the applicable program regulations included in Subpart C of 34 CFR Part 675.
Separate deadlines apply to new schools applying to participate in the Work Colleges Program for the first time, as published in the May 22, 2025 Federal Register Notice (90 FR 21909), “Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Work-Study, and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Programs; 2025–26 Award Year Deadline Dates.”
The deadline for schools interested in participating in the Work Colleges Program for the first time beginning with the 2026–27 award year was Oct. 31, 2025. Schools that are currently participating in the 2025–26 award year must apply no later than March 2, 2026.
These deadlines apply to both the electronic submission and the required signed paper copy, signed by the school’s chief executive officer (e.g., President, Chancellor, Director, Owner).
Note: The Work Colleges Application is not an application to participate in the FWS Program.
Schools interested in participating in the Work Colleges Program for the 2026–27 award year must submit a completed "Institutional Application and Agreement for Participation in the Work Colleges Program" to the U.S. Department of Education via the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) website. To access the application, log in to the COD website. From the School tab, select the Campus-Based option from the left menu. From the Campus-Based home page, select Forms and Waivers followed by Manage Application.
Instructions for completing the application are on the COD website.
In addition to the electronic submission, the school’s CEO must sign the printed application and agreement. The CEO is the person designated as such on the school’s Program Participation Agreement (PPA/ECAR) that the school submitted via the Electronic Application for Approval to Participate in the Federal Student Aid Programs (E-App).
To access the signature page, select Download Form/Signature Page from the Forms and Waivers page. The school must ensure the signature page is postmarked by the applicable deadlines stated above.
Mail or deliver the original signature to:
U.S. Department of Education
P.O. Box 1130
Fairfax, VA 22038
For overnight delivery, mail to:
U.S. Department of Education
4050 Legato Road, #1100
Fairfax, VA 22033
If we approve a school's application and agreement, we will email the school’s financial aid administrator in April 2026 and inform the school that its 2026–27 Statement of Account is available for viewing on the COD website. The Work College award is reflected as an increase to the school’s FWS Program award.
If you have questions about the information in this announcement, contact the FSA Partner and School Relations Center at 1-800-848-0978. The contact center is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, Eastern time. You may also email CODSupport@ed.gov.