Federal Work Study Program (FWSP)

If an off-campus host organization is eligible and has funds to pay you, your Practicum work can be used as part of FWSP. The Harvard Student Employment Office provides comprehensive resources for both students and employers here. The Harvard Chan School Office of Financial Aid also provides information on FWSP to students. Students are responsible for arranging FWSP with their employer directly.

EXAMPLE (Non-profit)
ABC Non-profit Organization agrees to pay an MPH student through FWSP, at a rate of $25/hour + payroll taxes and fringe. Because they are non-profit, they will pay 25% of the rate, plus payroll taxes and fringe 9.9%.  The remaining 75% of the wages is paid by the federal government, through Harvard. The two examples below are based on a 120-hour practicum agreement (MPH-45) and a 200-hour practicum agreement (MPH-65), respectively.

$25/hour * 120 hours * 25% = $750
$25/hour * 120 hours * 9.9% = $297
Total agency expense = $1,047
Total amount received by MPH-45 student (pre-tax) = $3,000
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$25/hour * 200 hours * 25% = $1,250
$25/hour * 200 hours * 9.9% = $495
Total agency expense = $1,745
Total amount received by MPH-65 student (pre-tax) = $5,000

EXAMPLE (For-profit)
XYZ For-Profit Corporation may be eligible as an employer for your practicum because the project that you will be doing is related to your degree program. The rate they agree to pay is $25/hour + payroll taxes and fringe. Because they are for-profit, they will pay 50% of the rate, plus payroll taxes and fringe 9.9%. The remaining 50% of the wages is paid by the federal government, through Harvard. The two examples below are based on a 120-hour practicum agreement (MPH-45) and a 200-hour practicum agreement (MPH-65), respectively.

$25/hour * 120 hours * 50% = $1,500
$25/hour * 120 hours * 9.9% = $297
Total agency expense = $1,797
Total amount received by MPH-45 student (pre-tax) = $3,000
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$25/hour * 200 hours * 50% = $2,500
$25/hour * 200 hours * 9.9% = $495
Total agency expense = $2,995
Total amount received by MPH-65 student (pre-tax) = $5,000