Federal Work-Study for Voter Registration Implementation Toolkit

Posted by Students Learn Students Vote Coalition on April 9, 2024

The U.S. Department of Education recently clarified that Federal Work-Study (FWS) funds can be utilized to support college students in performing nonpartisan work on elections, including on-campus voter registration and assisting government agencies such as state and local election offices. Importantly, this clarification helps institutions fulfill their requirement under the Higher Education Act to make a “good faith effort” to register students to vote.

To help institutions take advantage of this opportunity, the Students Learn Students Vote Coalition collaborated with the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge and Campus Vote Project to put together a Federal Work-Study for Voter Registration Implementation Toolkit: a comprehensive guide addressing common questions and challenges that arise when establishing the position, as well as detailed strategies informed by campuses that have successfully established FWS positions for nonpartisan voter registration.

Voting is not just a right. It’s a rite of passage – a cornerstone of American democracy. Institutions of higher education provide an ideal environment for installing and nurturing voting habits among young Americans. By establishing Federal Work-Study positions dedicated to nonpartisan student voter registration, institutions can empower student leaders, amplify peer-to-peer outreach efforts, and cultivate a vibrant culture of active citizenship on your campus.