What Is Work-Study? Benefits and Opportunities For Students

Work-study programs offer a unique opportunity for students to gain valuable work experience while earning a paycheck to help cover the cost of their education. These programs are designed to provide students with the chance to work in a professional setting related to their field of study, all while balancing their academic responsibilities.

In this blog post, we will explore the benefits and opportunities that work-study programs offer for students looking to kickstart their careers and offset their educational expenses.

What Is Work-Study?
What Are The Benefits Of Work-study For Students?
How To Apply For Work-study As A College Student
How Much Does Work-Study Pay?
What Is The Average Work-Study Pay?
Where Can I Find Suitable Work-Study Jobs?
How Do I Know If I’ve Received Work-Study?
FAQs On What Is Work-Study
Conclusion
References
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What Is Work-Study?

Work-study is a financial aid program funded at the federal or state level that helps college and graduate students in financial need get part-time jobs alongside their studies. The money earned from work-study can assist with tuition, living expenses, and other education-related costs. Here’s an overview of what work-study is:

If you want to get a work-study job, you must first qualify for a work-study award (e.g., $1,500). Then, you have to find a suitable work-study job to earn that award amount.

While the income from work-study may not cover all your expenses as a college student, it will go a long way. To meet up with college costs, you’ll need some personal savings, scholarships, grants, and student loans.

What Are The Benefits Of Work-study For Students?

If you need financial aid to begin or continue your school career, work-study is a great opportunity to fund your education. However, work-study also brings with it several additional benefits that you should keep in mind when considering all of your financial aid options.

1. Earnings do not count toward FAFSA

Your earnings for federal work-study jobs are not applicable when you fill out your next FAFSA application. Instead, earnings from regular jobs will be added to your total income on the FAFSA. Therefore, when submitting your FAFSA, ensure your application correctly states your earnings from the previous year of work-study.

For assistance, you can contact your school’s financial aid office. Many colleges and universities also send out an official memo to students who participate in a work-study program in the early spring as a reminder of their work-study earnings from the previous year.

2. Work-study can be a good backup plan

Work-study can be an excellent backup plan for students who intend to avoid debt. Many students take on substantial student debt to pay for educational expenses in college or graduate school. Former students can end up paying back these loans for decades. College students can opt for work-study opportunities to prevent the rising student debt before turning to student loans.

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3. It adds to your resume

Another excellent method to strengthen your CV is through work-study. These work opportunities offer a range of abilities and maybe a chance for you to gain experience relevant to the kind of career you intend to pursue after graduation. An internship can help you stand out on your resume because many students graduate with little to no work experience in their profession.

Just like an externship or internship, a work-study program gives you the chance to visit potential employers after graduation. This might assist you in selecting a degree or possible career path based on your narrowed interests.

4. It helps cover costs

Work-study is not meant to cover all of your college or graduate school-related costs. Instead, it can be combined with several different resources, including your personal savings, grants, scholarships, and student loans, to help fund your education and other living expenses.

5. It’s open to all types of students

Work-study is often associated with college students, but it’s available for graduate and professional students as well. Work-study is available for both full-time and part-time students. These jobs are typically community-oriented or related to the student’s area of study.

How To Apply For Work-study As A College Student

The first step to take to apply for work-study is to check if you are eligible by filling out the Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Although about 3,400 secondary schools have a federal work-study program, not all schools do, so be sure to check with the financial aid offices at the schools you’re interested in attending.

Additionally, you need to note that your eligibility depends largely on your financial needs and a college’s available funds.

Here’s a step-by-step process on how to apply for work-study:

Step 1: Check if your college is participating

Not all colleges or universities participate in this program, and your eligibility will be determined in part by whether your college or university participates in work-study.

Before you start your application, check with the financial aid office at the schools where you are considering to see if they offer work-study opportunities. This can help decide on which institution to attend.

Step 2: Fill out the FAFSA

The first step to take to apply for work-study is to check if you are eligible by filling out the Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

When filling out the FAFSA, choose the box on the application that says you want to be considered for work-study. Ensure you fill out the FAFSA as soon as possible because most aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Within a few weeks or months of filling out the FAFSA, you’ll receive a financial aid award listing the amounts you’re eligible to get from loans, grants, and work-study. Colleges award work-study funds based on the availability of funds, student financial need, and other financial aid a student is eligible for.

Step 3: Review your options and eligibility

After confirming your school’s eligibility, the next thing to do is review your options and then select the work-study option you wish to be considered for. The result of the financial aid application process will be available within a couple of months after submitting the FAFSA.

Step 4: Find a work-study-eligible job

Once it has been confirmed that you are qualified for work-study, you are not guaranteed a work-study job on campus. Rather, you are expected to find a suitable work-study job. Often, this means submitting an application and interviewing for available positions.

Many work-study jobs are on-campus and can include research assistantships, administrative duties in a campus office, or working in the library. Other work-study jobs may be off-campus at nonprofit organizations or private companies. You can also find work-study positions in community-service jobs, including tutoring, child care, and health care.

You can apply for these jobs via your school’s website. Students are encouraged to apply for jobs that are related to their field of study. Work-study jobs promise flexible hours so you can more easily balance work and school.

Step 5: Complete the work hours required

Your award letter will list the full amount of your total financial aid package allocated to work-study, but that does not automatically grant you access to the money. You must identify a work-study-eligible job, and then complete the stipulated number of hours to receive that allotted amount.

How Much Does Work-Study Pay?

Students can expect to earn at least the current federal minimum wage on a work-study job. However, you could be paid more than the minimum wage, depending on the job that you do and the skillset required for the position.

For instance, work-study jobs that require a higher level of skill or experience, such as research or lab assistantships, are likely to pay more than jobs like staffing the front desk of a dormitory or library.

Nevertheless, the amount you earn from work-study is influenced by factors such as:

Your degree level: For a work-study position, you will get hourly pay as an undergraduate student. Graduate students participating in work-study may get hourly compensation or a salary, depending on the requirements of the position.
The type of job you have: Your work-study income also depends on the type of job you do and the responsibilities, skills, and qualifications required for the job. State minimum wage requirements and any work-study policies or funding levels that your school may have can also be a factor.
How you utilize your earnings: Your school will send out paychecks at least once per month, if not more often. Your school may pay you directly unless you request that they apply your earned work-study income directly toward education-related expenses like room and board, tuition, and other fees.

What Is The Average Work-Study Pay?

CNBC reports that how much you earn for work-study is dependent on your school’s program, however, you are guaranteed to earn at least the federal minimum wage, which is $7.25 an hour. Depending on where you live, you could earn the state minimum wage if it’s higher.

According to reports from the University of Virginia, the annual award amount can range from $1,000 to $4,000 for undergraduate students and up to $5,000 for graduate students. You can choose to either get paid by check, direct deposit, or credit to your school account to cover college fees like tuition or room and board.

Where Can I Find Suitable Work-Study Jobs?

Work-study jobs like administrative assistant, library assistant, or tutor can be found on campus simply by visiting your school’s job portal. There can also be off-campus work-study jobs that involve community service work with nonprofit organizations or local elementary schools.

While searching for work-study jobs, your preference should be related to your field of study, which can help you get some early practical experience in your possible future profession. You can contact the career center or financial aid office on campus to see what your school offers.

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How Do I Know If I’ve Received Work-Study?

Once you see work-study listed on your financial aid offer, it means you’re eligible to apply for a work-study job at your college. Your college may provide instructions on how to secure your work-study job. Some colleges offer a job fair or may post openings on campus job boards.

FAQs On What Is Work-Study

Must I accept work-study aid?

No, it’s up to you. If work-study is on your financial aid award and you don’t intend to use it, you can decline the award.

Is the money earned through work-study taxable?

Yes, the money you earn through work-study is taxable.

How can I Apply For Work-study As A College Student?

The first step to take to apply for work-study is to check if you are eligible by filling out the Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

What is work-study?

Work-study is a financial aid program funded at the federal or state level that helps college and graduate students in financial need get part-time jobs alongside their studies.

Conclusion

Work-study programs are a fantastic way for students to gain real-world experience, develop professional skills, and offset the cost of their education. The opportunities and benefits that come with participating in a work-study program are endless, and students who take advantage of these programs set themselves up for success in their future careers.

Whether you are looking to gain valuable experience, earn money to cover tuition costs, or explore potential career paths, a work-study program is a valuable resource that every student should consider utilizing.

References

indeed.com – What Is Work-Study? How It Works and Benefits Students
cnbc.com – What is work-study?

What Is Work-Study? Benefits And Opportunities For Students

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What Is Work-Study?