If you are getting your first financial aid offer, you may see Federal Work-Study as one of the forms of financial aid. This is great since it’s a form of need-based aid that helps pay for the cost of attendance without requiring repayment after graduation. Most people “get” working part-time, but some don’t “get” how work-study is a bit different. So let’s outline the three essentials that you need to know about work-study.
It is Not a Guarantee
Although you may be offered work-study, this doesn’t mean you’ll automatically get a job. To receive any portion of your work-study allocation, you need to earn it. This means that you need to find a work-study job. Most colleges and universities post job opportunities in a centralized database that you can search. Once you find a job you are interested in and qualified for, then you apply, may be interviewed, and then may be offered the position.
It has Limits
Although work-study jobs may be on or off campus, not every employer offers work-study jobs and the jobs themselves will have a series of limits. The pay rates and number of hours per day and week are limited. The pay rates may depend on the employer, the college’s policies, and in some cases, the state laws. Likewise, the number of hours you can work in a day or during a week may be limited by the college. Since the work-study program was created to supplement not dominate your college experience, many colleges limit students to working no more than 20 hours a week, 4 hours on a business day, and 8 hours on weekends.
Plus, your work-study allocation is another limiting factor. If your financial aid offer includes $2,500 of work-study, then you are prohibited from earning more than that for your academic year. Please note that some colleges may have appeals processes to increase your allocation, but most limit such a appeals to small increases.
You also have to remember that just because you received work-study one year, does not mean you get it the next year. Since work-study is a form of need-based aid, you need to apply for financial aid each year through the FAFSA. Every year the FAFSA will assess your family’s income and assets to determine your eligibility.
It Comes Directly to You
Work-study is not paid automatically to your
direct costs like tuition. Just like other jobs, you have to complete a series of forms to get hired. Then, you have to complete some sort of timesheet to chronicle the hours that you work. Then, you get paid. Some colleges will send you a check in the mail while others encourage you to sign up for direct deposit to your bank account. When you are considering
what to do with your work-study money, focus on needs versus wants. Most often students use work-study funds to pay for needs like
indirect costs like books, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses.
Pro Tip: Treat work-study like a real job. Figure out if you are the right fit for the position. Put effort into your job application. Shine in your interview. Improve your work skills on the job. Get a great reference for your next job whether that is a summer internship or full-time employment after graduation.
Colleen Krumwiede
Co-Founder & Chief Marketing Officer
Colleen MacDonald Krumwiede is a financial aid and paying for college expert with over a decade of financial aid experience at Stanford GSB, Caltech, and Pomona College and another decade at educational finance and technology companies servicing higher education. She guides go-to-market strategy and product development at Quatromoney to transform the way families afford college.
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