What is Federal Work-Study?

How can I get Work-Study?

Why is Work-Study so great?

What kinds of jobs are available?

How much will I be paid?

When can I work?

How do I get a job?

Can I have more than one Work-Study job?

What are the enrollment requirements for Work-Study?

Tips for your interview

What if I do not get a job?

How do I get my Work-Study money?

Emergency Cash Loans

Will I get Work-Study every year?

What if I want to keep working after I’ve earned my Work-Study award?

Rights and Responsibilities

The Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program is a government-subsidized student employment program designed to assist students in financing their post-secondary education. Work-Study is different from other types of part-time jobs because your employer only has to pay 30% of your wages - the remaining 70% is paid by the Work-Study program.

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To be eligible for Work-Study, you must demonstrate financial need every year by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Be sure to complete the FAFSA by UT’s priority deadline of March 31st each year, and to request Work-Study on the FAFSA. Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible, although graduate students must specifically request a Work-Study award from their financial aid counselor.

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• It provides real-world job experience suited to your skills, preferences and possible career goals and offers the opportunity to develop career contacts.
• Your work schedule can be arranged around your class schedule.
• Work-Study earnings are not counted towards next year's student contribution for financial aid.
• Most Off-Campus Work-Study job locations are easily reached by UT shuttle or city bus.
• Grades and time management: Studies have consistently shown that students who work no more than 20 hours per week have better grades than students who do not work. Additional time demands appear to force students to manage their time more efficiently, thus creating a higher commitment to study time by the student.

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Many On-Campus Work-Study jobs are clerical, but there are also many jobs in lab research, social science research, photography and curatorship, child care, library services, and housing and food services.

Off-Campus (Community Service) jobs with non-profit employers may include positions in public television, museums, childcare centers, health care clinics, and tutoring programs. Please see the Community Service Work-Study site for more information.

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All Work-Study jobs pay at least minimum wage and most pay more, depending upon experience and skills. Regardless of your hourly wage, you cannot earn more than your semester award amount. Please note that Work-Study students are not eligible for paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, or medical and dental insurance through their Work-Study job.

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You may earn your Work-Study awards only during these award periods:

You may work up to 19 hours per week, but most students work 10-12 hours per week, so that they earn their Work-Study award evenly over the semester. You should never be scheduled to work during class time and you should never work more than 8 hours in one day.

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Begin your job search early so that you have a broader range of jobs to choose from, and so that you can begin working and earning your award as soon as the award period begins! We encourage you to begin your Work-Study job search as early as May by:

• Searching for Work-Study (WS) jobs via the Hirealonghorn Job Bank.
• Visiting various On-Campus departments to find out if they have any Work-Study positions available.
• Attending one of the "Whistle While You Work-Study" presentations on the first day of each Summer Freshman Orientation Session.
• Attending the Annual Work-Study Job Fair held every year at the end of August.

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No. You cannot work in more than one Work-Study job at the same time. If you plan to work in a Work-Study job and a non-Work-Study job at the same time, please be aware of the "Quantity of Work" guidelines. The Quantity of Work guidelines were established to help students achieve balance between their schoolwork and their job(s). Finding the right balance is the key to maintaining satisfactory academic progress. The Quantity of Work guidelines say that students should not commit to more than 40 hours per week for all their jobs and classes combined. For example, if you are enrolled in 12 credit hours and your Work-Study job requires you to work 18 hours per week, you would be advised to work no more than 10 hours in a non-Work-Study job (12 + 18 + 10=40).

For graduate students, the Quantity of Work guidelines are as follows: the number of credit hours a graduate student is registered for is multiplied by three. This number is then added to the number of hours worked per week. The final figure cannot exceed 56.

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You must maintain at least half-time enrollment in regular UT coursework at all times in order to be eligible to work in your Work-Study job. In fall and spring, half-time enrollment is at least 6 credit hours for undergraduate students, 5 hours for graduate students, and 7 hours for law students. In summer, half-time enrollment is at least 6 credit hours for undergraduate students, 3 hours for graduate students, and 4 hours for law students. NOTE: These hours must be taken over both summer sessions which together total 12 weeks.

Work-Study and enrollment in UT Extension courses: In order to be eligible for a summer Work-Study award, you must be enrolled in 6 regular UT hours that are spread over both sessions in addition to your UT Extension credit hours. In fall and spring, you must be enrolled in at least 6 regular UT hours in addition to your UT Extension hours. If you drop below 6 regular UT credit hours at any time during the year, you must stop working in your Work-Study job immediately! In addition, if you drop a regular UT class that results in your being enrolled in one summer session only, you must stop working immediately.

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What to take with you:

1. Copy of your Work-Study Verification (WSV). After completing your on-line Work-Study Counseling session in CASH, you can find your WSV at the bottom of the "My Financial Aid" page.
2. The PO-14 employment application if you have not been previously employed at The University of Texas at Austin and are applying for a job at UT.
3. Your Social Security card and driver’s license.

If any of these documents are not presented to the employer at the time of the interview, the employer will not conduct the interview.

REMEMBER: You never get a second chance to make a good first impression!

• Arrive early
• Dress neatly and conservatively
• Establish eye contact
• Don’t chew gum
• Turn your cell phone off
• Speak clearly and answer all questions honestly
• Smile!

During your interview you should ask for clear information about job duties, responsibilities, work schedules, and dress code. For tips on interviewing skills, visit the UT-Austin Career Exploration Center.

When you accept a Work-Study position, you are expected to stay for the length of the Work-Study award period (usually two semesters), and are discouraged from changing jobs in the middle of the academic year. If special circumstances require you to resign from your Work-Study position, however, you must inform your employer immediately.

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If you do not find a Work-Study job within the first six weeks of the fall or spring semesters, or first four weeks of the summer session, your Federal Work-Study award will be canceled for that semester. This may jeopardize the awarding of any future Federal Work-Study.

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You have to get a job and earn it!

Work-Study students are paid at least once a month, depending upon the individual employer. Most students choose to have their Work-Study paychecks deposited into their checking or savings account. You may also pick it up in person from your employer or at the UT Payroll Office if you work at UT. No matter which payment option you choose, remember that your earnings will NOT be automatically applied towards your UT debts-your paychecks are for you to use as you choose.

Please note that Work-Study regulations require that you be paid at least once per month. This means you must turn in your Monthly Earnings Report at least once a month. Failure to do so may result in your immediate termination.

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If for some reason you miss a pay period, you may request an emergency cash loan on-line using your UTEID. These short-term emergency loans charge an interest rate of 4 percent per annum. The maximum amount that can be borrowed on-line is $300. If you need more than $300, you should inquire in person at the Office of Student Financial Services, SSB, 3rd floor. Loans must be repaid within 30 days.

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Work-Study funding is limited. In order to be considered for Work-Study each year, you must:

• Complete the FAFSA each year by the priority deadline of March 31st
• Show enough financial need (based on the information on your FAFSA)
• Earn your Work-Study award each year
• Maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA and remain enrolled full-time each semester.

If you receive additional resources, such as scholarships or tuition waivers, the Office of Student Financial Services may have to reduce your Work-Study award amount. If this happens, we will promptly notify you and your employer.

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If you earn your full Work-Study award before the end of the award period, your employer may allow you to continue working while paying 100% of your wages from their own funds. Please be aware that income earned under these circumstances will be counted toward next year's student contribution for financial aid.

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When you accept a Work-Study position, you become a member of a department or agency that depends on you. It’s important for you to report to work on time, notify your supervisor when you will be late or absent, and dress appropriately for the work location (dress code should be discussed during the interview). When asking for time off, you should consider the employer's needs as well as your own. In addition, some Work-Study positions may require access to confidential information-abuse or misuse of such authorization is grounds for dismissal!

You must submit your Monthly Earnings Report at least once a month. Failure to do so is grounds for dismissal. You cannot earn more than the Work-Study award as listed on your Work-Study Verification (WSV). It is your responsibility to monitor earnings to be sure they do not exceed the award amount using the Work-Study Balance Sheet.

If a problem develops on the job, you should first discuss the issue with your supervisor. If the problem cannot be resolved, you should contact the Work-Study Office in the Office of Student Financial Services. Quitting a Work-Study job should be a decision of last resort. There is no guarantee that the Work-Study award can be replaced with another type of aid or that you can secure another Work-Study position. Acceptance of a position through Work-Study implies a commitment to the employer for at least one semester.

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