The Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program provides jobs for students who apply for and demonstrate financial need. San Francisco State University receives an allocation from the federal government each fiscal year. The allocation consists of a 70% federal contribution and a 30% university match. The Work-Study Advisory Committee recommends allocations to be distributed to the President and Vice Presidents. Cabinet officers then allocate the funds to individual departments within their area. The FWS fiscal year is July 1 of each year through June 30 of the following year. The student's academic award can be earned between late August and May 31.

Students must apply for financial aid and receive a FWS award from the Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) in order to work under this program. Students who demonstrate financial need are awarded FWS funds on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. Therefore, it is very important for students to be aware of and adhere to application priority dates. Students who file for financial aid after the priority deadline of March 2 for the upcoming academic year may not receive a FWS award due to lack of funding, regardless of whether they had FWS in the past, have financial need, or have a specific FWS job arranged. To receive maximum time consideration for a FWS award, students should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon after January 1 as possible.

FWS funds are restricted to students who are either citizens or permanent residents of the United States. Foreign students with an F-1 or J-1 Visa are not eligible for FWS funds.

Students who accept their offer of FWS are not guaranteed a job. Rather, they are given access to available FWS job postings in order to apply for the jobs that interest them.

Undergraduate students are required to maintain 12 course units and graduates 8 course units during each Fall and Spring term that they work. FWS students may not work more than 20 hours per week when school is in session.

FWS students are paid by the hour on a monthly basis.

FWS earnings are taxable income and must be reported on tax returns if the student is required to file.