Federal Work-Study and Community Service Requirement
      [Section 443 (b)(2)(B)]

Current Law: 

Requires institutions that receive Federal Work-Study funds to spend at least 7 percent of those funds in community service activities.

Issue:

The present requirement does not recognize institutions with large community service volunteer programs.  In fact, some institutions have had to shift student volunteers to the FWS community service programs.

Proposal:

Allow those schools which can certify that at least seven percent of their student body is involved in community service to be exempt from any FWS community service spending requirements.  The percentage would be factored by the total student financial aid population as determined by the FISAP.

Possible Objections:

NASFAA has a similar proposal that utilizes a ten percent threshold and does not define the student body.   Others may argue that federal funds should be earmarked for community service and that the 7 percent is too low.

Counter Argument:

MASFAA use of seven percent is consistent with the current regulation.  Defining the denominator of the student population as determined by the FISAP population will allow consistency in application of the law and will not harm schools with large continuing education and/or auditing student populations.

MASFAA and NASFAA strongly supports the notion that all members of the higher education community should participate in community service activities that will benefit the Nation and engender in all a sense of social responsibility and commitment to the community. Because many institutions have a strong commitment to community service and incorporate it into their philosophies and program structures, and because we believe incentives to grow community service initiatives are more productive than mandates, we recommend recognizing the efforts of schools that are successful in this regard. Recognizing that the development and nurturing of exemplary community service programs, even in the absence of JLD participation, is very important, MASFAA and NASFAA recommends encouraging such activity via the creation of a model community service program award to be given annually to schools that exemplify the best of community service. Recognized schools could also receive preferential treatment for the allocation of FWS funds.

NASFAA Proposal

Federal Work Study Program (FWS)-Part C

Issue 1: Community Service Requirement [Section 443(b)(2)(B)]

Recommendation: Allow those schools which can certify that ten percent of their student body is involved in community service to be exempt from any FWS community service spending requirements.

Rationale: NASFAA strongly supports the notion that all members of the higher education community should participate in community service activities that will benefit the Nation and engender in all a sense of social responsibility and commitment to the community. Because many institutions have a strong commitment to community service and incorporate it into their philosophies and program structures, and because we believe incentives to grow community service initiatives are more productive than mandates, we recommend recognizing the efforts of schools that are successful in this regard. Recognizing that the development and nurturing of exemplary community service programs, even in the absence of JLD participation, is very important, NASFAA recommends encouraging such activity via the creation of a model community service program award to be given annually to schools that exemplify the best of community service. Recognized schools could also receive preferential treatment for the allocation of FWS funds.