The Institute's ProDev Program vs. Federal Work Study

- Katie Dunning

Navigating the world of financial aid can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to finding the right program to support your college journey. Most students, and their families who support them, make decisions about where to go to college based on scholarships and access to Federal Student Aid (Pell grant, student loans and Federal Work Study employment opportunities). 

Let’s look at two programs: Federal Work Study Program (FWS), compared to The Institute for GOD's Professional Development Program (ProDev). 

Understanding the differences between these programs can help you make informed decisions about your financial future and career development while in college.

1. Access and Eligibility: What are the limitations?

Federal Work Study (FWS) requires students to be eligible for Federal Student Aid, and their federal award for need-based aid limits a student’s access to work study employment opportunities. (A student’s application for federal student aid programs (FAFSA) determines financial need.) Unfortunately, if a student doesn't qualify for need-based aid at the federal level, they are not eligible for work study. While both graduate and undergraduate students are eligible for work study, job availability varies from college to college, with no guarantee of a position. 

In contrast, the Institute’s ProDev prioritizes full-time, on-campus undergraduate students. Access to the program is not dependent on a student’s financial need. Unlike the Federal Student Aid Award value that determines a cap for how many hours a student is eligible to work, ProDev offers a recommended 25 hours per week, with room to do less or, for some upperclassmen, more.

Both work-study and ProDev share the benefit of making accommodations and offering flexibility to students based on their class load and schedule. However, FWS tends to provide a predictable array of campus jobs: landscaping, kitchen, library, and admissions. ProDev goes much beyond that. Through partnerships with Christian-run businesses throughout the Nashville area, students participating in ProDev have experiences in construction, birth work, public health, graphic design, culinary arts, dance instruction, social services, and education (spanning preschool through higher education). The variety of experiences is much more comprehensive, giving students far more than a “college job” -- it provides them with the opportunities to explore lifelong careers. 

2. Financial Benefit: How does it help students pay for college?

FWS and ProDev offer part time employment opportunities to students that pay federal minimum wage, and in some cases, higher wages according to a student's level of expertise in a non-entry level position.

However, FWS does not provide any scholarship benefit. Students who participate in the Institute’s ProDev program, however, are eligible for the college’s most significant scholarship, meant to offset a student’s educational expenses, providing financial support beyond employment wages. 

Both of them provide flexible employment that understands your status as a student, and often allows you to network with faculty and staff at your college campus or limited off-campus options. Like ProDev, FWS offers part-time employment opportunities on and off-campus. But that’s where the financial benefit of FWS ends. 

3. Program Outcomes: What lasting impact does this program offer?

While FWS is limited to providing work, the Institute’s ProDev program stands out for its comprehensive approach to student occupational development. 

A FWS student has no guarantee that their position will have any relevance to their career interests or mentorship for personal career development. Students who depend solely on FWS for employment during college may graduate without having had the opportunity to explore their intended career field. ProDev offers experiences within an occupational development track, allowing students to explore different areas of practice during their first and second year in the program, and progressively hone in their occupational focus as they near graduation. 

One of the primary goals of the ProDev program is for students to graduate college ready to do a job and be equipped with God's vision for the world from a biblical framework. At The Institute, students gain a blend of rigorous academics in God’s Word with the practical aspects of professional growth at ProDev, leading graduates to enter the workforce debt-free and confident about what they have to offer.

In this way, the Institute for GOD's ProDev program goes beyond the traditional financial aid approach by integrating academic, biblical, and professional development, equipping students to enter the workforce with both skills and a sense of purpose. 

As you consider your options for college based on financial aid programs, be sure to explore the unique benefits of ProDev and how it aligns with your goals beyond college. 

Note: The Institute does not currently participate in Federal Student Aid programs.