Federal work-study funds are derived from Federal contribu­tions and college funds.  They are limited and many more students have eligibility than can be paid a reasonable amount or placed in work positions.  Students must have financial need as measured by the FAFSA and Federal Method­ol­ogy.   Procedures for award and employ­ment are as follows:

1. Students who have eligibility, and indicate interest on the FAFSA, will have work-study included on the Award Letter.  The Award Letter is accompanied by a notice that the award is a notice of eligibility, not the promise of a job.  Federal work-study is awarded in amounts that would allow approximate­ly ten hours per week of employ­ment.  It is the policy of the Financial Aid Office that to extend beyond fifteen hours could impede a student in his or her educa­tional endeavors.  In a few cases, students can be success­ful with more than fifteen hours, but the assignment will not be extended beyond an average of twenty hours except for summer employment.   Both full-time and part-time students are offered Federal work-study.
2. The student copy of the Award Letter con­stitutes verifi­cation of eligibility to prospective supervisor/­employers.
3. Initial placement each year is accomplished by an application and interview process.  We attempt to fill all positions in the fall semester.­­ Employment is available from time to time as the year progresses.  Placement after the first two weeks of the Fall Semester is accomplished by individual interviews with the supervisor and Financial Aid Office.  Employ­ment is not confirmed and payment cannot be made until all documents are com­pleted and in place.  The following is the detail of the procedure.
   • Students supply a W-4 form, an I-9 form, copies of Social Security Card and Driver­'s License or other acceptable documents, and bank account information for direct deposit of wages.  These are filed with the Payroll Office.
   • Copies of the employment verification form are sent to the supervisor and the Payroll Office.
   • Time cards are issued by the Payroll Office and distrib­uted to supervisors.
   • Time cards are completed daily, signed and turned into the Payroll Office weekly by the supervisor.
   • At the conclusion of each month, the total number of hours worked is multi­plied by appropriate wage, proper deductions for income taxes are made, and the balance electronically transmit­ted to the student's bank account.  The student receives a printed statement of the transaction by campus mail. The normal payday for work-study employees is the 8th of each month.
   • Students and supervisors are reminded continuously that the student must NOT work during times of scheduled classes or labs. It is not acceptable for a student to be on the time clock at any time they are scheduled to be in class. There are NO exceptions to this rule!!!

Download a complete Student Employment Handbook here.