With the Federal Work-Study Program, you earn money while gaining valuable work experience. You typically work on campus and receive regular paychecks, just like you would for other employment. Here’s more about the Federal Work-Study Program:

Benefits
Eligibility
Finding a Work-Study Job
Work Schedule
Wage & Pay Schedules
Finding a non-Work-Study Job

Benefits
The benefits of Work-Study include:

• A work schedule designed around your class schedule
• The convenience of working on campus
• A wide variety of jobs, including opportunities to work in community service organizations
• A chance to gain valuable work experience and build references for future employment

In addition, studies show a positive link between academic performance and having a part-time job.

Eligibility
To be eligible for Work-Study, you must:

• Indicate on your Personal Data Application that you are interested in the Work-Study program
• Meet the financial-need requirements to obtain a Work-Study job

If you are not sure whether you’ve been awarded Work-Study, refer to your WCU Financial Aid Notification letter or log onto My Cat and check your financial aid awards.

If you are not awarded Federal Work-Study as part of your financial aid package, you can still seek campus employment by checking the job board at Career Services in Killian Annex.

Finding a Work-Study Job
Once you’ve been approved for Federal Work-Study, you must:

• Identify campus jobs that interest you. Read a list of current openings (PDF). Choose at least two jobs, record the department, job title, and supervisor; and bring this information when they meet with the Work-Study coordinator. The Work-Study coordinator will also have a copy of the job listings available at your meeting.
• Bring to the meeting all needed documentation to validate your citizenship status with you, including an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9). The I-9 will include a list of the documentation needed to verify your citizenship.
• Report to complete your Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9) and your W-4 form and receive job referral forms. The Financial Aid Office will be set up for Work-Study placement in the Grand Room of the University Center on August 29 and 30 from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p. m. On these days, we will complete the payroll paperwork (I-9 and W-4) and give you Work-Study Hiring Forms to take to the two hiring supervisors you select.

Your Work Schedule
In Work-Study, you may work a maximum of 20 hours per week; the average student works 10 to 15 hours per week. You may begin working on the first day of classes and may work through the last day of exams. Work is not permitted during non-academic periods without prior approval from the Financial Aid Department.

Wage & Pay Schedules
The award letter from the Financial Aid Office indicates the maximum amount you may earn in the Federal Work-Study Program for the academic year. Your hourly rate of pay is at least the current federal minimum wage and is set by your employer.

You’ll be paid once a month for the hours you have worked. The pay period begins on the 24th of each month and ends on the 23rd of the following month. Paychecks are issued on the 15th. For example, if you start work on the 24th of September, you'll receive your first check on November 15.

Finding a non-Work-Study Job
Through the student employment office in career services, you can also find jobs that aren't part of the federal Work-Study program. This service is available to all students.