Student Jobs at CU Boulder

Want to make the most out of your time at CU Boulder while earning money? Working on campus isn’t just about getting a paycheck—it’s a great way to gain professional skills, balance your schedule and grow both personally and academically.  

Find on-campus student jobs


Benefits of working on campus

 

Experience personal and professional growth 

  • Earn money while learning how to budget and save.
  • Gain skills like communication, time management and leadership.
  • Explore new interests and career options, like graphic design or public service.
  • Work with faculty and staff who can help you with internships and job recommendations. 

 

Expand your network 

 

Enhance your academic journey 

  • Schedule work shifts around your classes.
  • Dive deeper into research or your area of study.
  • Know that student employees often maintain higher GPAs than non-working peers and are more likely to graduate.  

Types of student employment

Work-study jobs 

Work-study is a type of financial aid based on your need that lets you earn money through part-time jobs. These jobs are just like regular jobs where you get paid and taxed. To qualify for work-study, you need to apply for financial aid, but not everyone who qualifies will get it. Instead of directly paying for your tuition, you’ll get your work-study money as a paycheck. 

If you have work-study, you can apply for any on-campus student job. You can find jobs that are specifically labeled as work-study on Handshake, and some off-campus options as well. If you’re eligible, you can also apply for summer work-study jobs as long as you meet certain requirements. Learn more about work-study at CU Boulder. 

Hourly jobs (non-work study) 

Most students apply for hourly jobs, which are open to everyone—no FAFSA or work-study award needed. If a job doesn’t say “work-study required,” you can apply! 

lifeguard watching pool

 

employee handing out shoes at Connection
Looking for a summer job?

Did you know that CU Boulder offers more than 9,300 on-campus student jobs?

On-campus employment isn’t just for fall and spring—many positions are available during the summer as well! Review summer on-campus job openings. 

Student job opportunities

FAQs

If you’re a current or incoming student, you can start using Handshake about 24 hours after enrolling in classes. Graduates from May 2017 and later probably already have an account set up. If you don’t have an active account, no worries—just email career@colorado.edu with your name, graduation year and degree, and we’ll help you get started! 

You can apply for on-campus jobs year-round. Typically, more opportunities are available at the beginning of each semester. 

On-campus jobs, like any other jobs, can be competitive. We recommend meeting with a career advisor, which you can schedule on Buff Portal Advising. Career advisors can review your resume and help you prepare for the interview process. 

You’ll need to be enrolled in classes to access Handshake. Once you’ve enrolled, your Handshake account will be ready within 24 hours. If you’re not enrolled yet, hang tight—your account will be waiting for you when the time comes! 

You can apply for any on-campus job. Even if it doesn’t mention work-study, it can often be converted if the employer is a campus entity (e.g., a university department). For jobs that specifically prefer or require work-study, check out our Work-Study On-Campus Jobs collection on Handshake. 

Yes! A key benefit of on-campus jobs is their flexibility, allowing you to work around your class schedule. We understand you’re a student first. Most students work 10–15 hours per week, with the option to work up to 25 hours. 

Student hourly employees may work up to 25 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters, and up to 40 hours per week in the summer. Graduate and international students are limited to 20 hours per week during the academic year. Learn more about CU Boulder Student Employment Policies. 

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