Work-Study

What is Federal Work-Study?

The Federal Work-Study Program provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need to help students earn money for college. The program encourages community service and provides many employment opportunities related to student’s course of study.  Money from Work-Study is earned; it does not have to be repaid.  

A work-study award is like other forms of financial aid in that you receive an award for a certain dollar amount. The main difference is that money is earned through a qualified work-study job.

Paychecks are distributed twice a month; see the 2008-2009 fiscal year Payroll Calendar on the Human Resources website for more detailed information. 

The amount awarded to you by the Financial Aid Office is the maximum amount you can earn throughout the fiscal year. Once you have earned the amount equivalent to your award, your Work-Study position will be terminated.  However, your employer will then have the option to hire you as an hourly employee. 

How is a Work-Study job different from other jobs? 

A Federal Work-Study job is different from other jobs for two reasons: (1) the hours are flexible to ensure that you have enough time to study, and (2) when you apply for financial aid the following year, the money you earn through this program is not used to determine your financial need. Money earned from a Federal Work-Study job is not counted as income when you complete next year’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

How much will I make?

Your total Federal Work-Study award depends on when you apply for aid, your level of need, and the funding level of your school. Commissions or fees are not paid to Federal Work-Study students.

At Salt Lake Community College, Work-Study awards generally range from $1,000-$2,000 per semester or $2,000-$4,000 per academic year. Salaries begin at $7.25 per hour (federal minimum wage effective July 24, 2009) but go up depending on job type, experience and skill level required. Keep in mind that Work-Study awards do not carry forward from semester to semester. Awards are only good for use during the semester in which it was issued. Unused Work-Study funds will be lost.  

How will I be paid?

At Salt Lake Community College, you will be paid twice a month like all college employees. You may request direct deposit or have your paychecks mailed to you.

Are Federal Work-Study jobs on campus or off campus?

Both on-campus and off-campus job opportunities available:  

Having an on-campus job means that you will work for Salt Lake Community College through one of our departments.  

If you work off-campus, you will also work for Salt Lake Community College but be placed to work in a job that serves the public interest. These jobs are typically with non-profit or community agencies, such as a public school, that have contracts with Salt Lake Community College to employ Work-Study students.

 How does the Work-Study program benefit me?

There is a wide range of student jobs on campus open only to Work-Study eligible students. Often, you can find a job that combines good pay and valuable work experience because the job duties relate to your academic major. Many supervisors are flexible in setting up a work schedule and you may be able to work between your classes. Studies show that students who work tend to make better grades, learn to manage their time more efficiently, are more persistent in their goal to graduate, and may have to borrow less in loans to help pay for college expenses. Money earned from a Work-Study position does not have to be claimed as income when applying for financial aid the following year.

Besides financial benefits, what other benefits are there to having a Work-Study job?

As with all jobs, you can gain valuable work experience and skills that will help you prepare for the future.

Working on campus allows you to meet other students, network with teachers and administrators, and may even give you opportunities to gain career experience. For example, if you plan to study accounting, perhaps you can get a job in the college business office doing accounting work.

Working off campus allows you to learn about social issues and work to better them in your community. For example, SLCC students employed in the America Reads program are placed to work in elementary schools where they help children learn to read and write.

How do I find a Work-Study job?

You must contact the employing department to apply for the position. A listing of Work-Study positions is available online at www.slcc.edu/workstudy. You may also visit any of the Financial Aid Offices at Redwood, South City or Jordan Campuses for more information. Off campus jobs are listed under “Community Work-Study”.  You must be awarded Work-Study funds and obtain a Work-Study Referral Form prior to being hired as a student at a department. Take the referral form with you to your job interview.  When you are hired for a job your supervisor will complete the job referral form with the position title, hourly wage, hiring date and signature.  

Can I work as many hours as I want?

No. The amount you earn can’t exceed your total Federal Work-Study award. When assigning work hours, your employer or financial aid administrator will consider your class schedule and your academic progress.

At SLCC, work schedules are generally flexible to allow students to work around their classes. Most students work 10-12 hours a week during a 15-week semester. Actual work days and hours vary and may be determined by you and your employer.  Work Study employees may not work more than 20 hours per week.

When does the Work-Study program begin and end?

The FWS program begins in August of the academic year and ends June 30th of the following year.  You may work until your maximum award is met or until June 30th, whichever comes first.

Work-Study Rules and Restrictions

• Federal Work-Study students' work hours are limited to a maximum of 20 hours per week.
• A student cannot earn more than the amount of his or her award.
• A student must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress toward a degree in order to be eligible for financial aid.
• Work-Study awards are subject to change or cancellation. Violations of any work-study rules or changes in any aspect of a student's financial aid file may result in reduction or loss or that student's award.
• Students must promptly submit any paper work or information as requested by Financial Aid. The status of a student's financial aid often hinges on the requested information.
• The student could lose his/ her award if he/she fail to provide requested information. The student must reapply for Federal Work-Study each year she/he would like to be considered. After the award has been made, the student has 45 days to find a job before their award is cancelled. Also, the student's remaining award will be cancelled if the student stops earning Work-Study wages for a period of 60 days or more.
• Student must be enrolled ib at least 6 credit hours.

How does a student apply to receive a Work-Study award?

If you are interested in applying for a work study award you must complete either the Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit the institutional paperwork to the Financial Aid Office. 

The FAFSA can also be filed electronically on the web at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov, or you may also visit any of the Salt Lake Community College Financial Aid Offices to pick up a paper copy.

The priority-filing deadline is April 1 of the calendar year prior to the academic year for which the student wants aid . (Example: For aid during 2009-2010 academic year, apply by April 1, 2009.)

Complete the electronic FAFSA or mail the paper FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA by the priority deadline for the earliest consideration for available funds. You must also check the box on the Financial Aid Institutional Application indicating you are interested in Work-Study. Be aware that most aid programs have limited funding. Applicants who file by the priority-filing deadline are considered first for such aid.

If a student is not offered Work-Study by filing the FAFSA by the priority-filing deadline and would like to be considered, the student must request in writing to the Financial Aid Office that his or her name be placed on a Work-Study waiting list. All qualifications must be met and the student must comply with all provisions set forth by the Financial Aid Office to remain eligible for Work-Study.