US Education Department stops student work-study money from being used for politics on college campuses

The US Department of Education has formally revoked Biden-era guidance that allowed Federal Work-Study (FWS) funds to be used for some political activities on college campuses. With the new regulations, the money must now be earmarked for work only that offers students actual career experience.

What's different?

Students will not be compensated under FWS for jobs that are related to political or voting activities. These include jobs as poll workers, overseeing voter hotlines, helping out at polling stations, or coordinating rallies—even though the activities were once deemed to be nonpartisan.

"Federal Work Study is intended to give students the chance to gain valuable real-world experience that will help them succeed in the labor market, not as a means of subsidizing political activism on our college and university campuses," said Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent.

Why was the policy reversed?

This ruling unwinds Biden-era guidance that increased the ability of students to engage in civic action through federally funded work.

The new directive complies with Executive Order 14248, Protecting the Integrity of American Elections, and reiterates the Higher Education Act's ban on the use of federal funding for political activity.

New voter registration rules

Colleges are still required to make a "good-faith" effort to provide voter registration forms to qualified students, but no longer need to give forms to persons suspected of being ineligible, like foreign students.

The Department has also encouraged institutions to advise students on voting regulations, including:

US citizens only vote in federal elections.

It is a federal offense to vote more than once or on false pretenses.

Impact on students and colleges

Students who had counted on work-study jobs that were attached to civic activity might have to seek out other jobs or volunteer placements. Schools and universities will need to revise and restart their work-study job listings in order to meet the new standards.

Civic activity programs on campuses, like voter registration drives, will certainly persist but will need new sources of funding outside of FWS appropriations.

Why it matters

Institutions are to institute these changes at once and ensure students know which jobs are still eligible under FWS. Colleges also are being urged to seek other means of voter education and civic engagement without federal funding.