Work-Study

Work-study is a need-based financial aid that allows students to earn money by working part-time jobs. 

Similar to a regular job: 

  • Paid only for hours worked 
  • Taxed on income 
  • Get a W-2 

Work-study, not work & study: Despite what the name may suggest, there's typically no time for personal activities like studying while you work. Some employers may make exceptions with approval from your supervisor. 

No impact to aid eligibility: Work-study earnings are excluded from financial need determination on your financial aid application for the following year. 

How to get work-study

Apply for financial aid

Don’t wait! Work-study is typically offered in the order students apply, and funding is limited. The first step to determine eligibility is to complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Eligibility:

  • Have significant financial need when you apply
  • Enroll at least half time to get work-study during the school year (Check your enrollment status)

Because work-study is a form of need-based financial aid funded by the government, you must have significant financial need to get it. Your level of financial need is determined by the information you include on your financial aid application.

Find a work-study job

Career Services manages a searchable job database available to all students, where employers post designated work-study jobs. 

Some departments may post jobs directly on their website. We can transition most on-campus student jobs to work-study if requested. 

On-Campus Jobs  Off-Campus Jobs 

 

 

   Waitlist

Eligible but didn't get an automatic work-study offer? This can happen when our funding gets low. 

Step 1: Make sure you're eligible 

Before joining, check that we've confirmed you're still eligible for work-study. You (or your employer) must send us a work-study request.

Step 2: Join the waitlist

You’re placed on the list in the order you join. If possible, include your potential employer to help speed up the process. For fall semester, students with work-study in the last year will move higher on the waitlist until October.

Step 3: Check your email often

We review funding every two weeks and offer work-study to students on the waitlist when possible.

Earnings

  • Work-study doesn’t pay your bill directly
  • You're paid every two weeks for the hours you work
  • Track your earnings compared to your total work-study offer each term

Need more work-study? Submit a work-study increase to ask for a larger amount. Keep in mind that funding levels and your available financial need may impact what we can offer. If you run out of funds, you must work with your employer to continue earning. In some cases, you may have to stop working until work-study funds become available the following semester.

If your work-study amount is updated for any reason, the Office of Financial Aid will email you. 

Set Up Direct Deposit Payroll Dates

Taxes 

The money you earn is taxable like regular hourly jobs.

W-2 available each year in MyCUInfo 

  Employee Services will also mail your W-2 to the employee address listed in MyCUInfo under Resources. If you need help, contact Employee Services.

Summer work-study

How to request: Complete the Summer Financial Aid Application as soon as it becomes available in  Buff Portal in late February.  

Eligibility: 

  • Enroll in Summer Session
    • Or, enroll in both spring and the following fall semesters
  • Apply for aid for the current and upcoming academic years before the start of summer sessions
  • Have significant financial need

Review Summer Dates & Deadlines

Work-study dates

Resources 

Get the job? Here are some tools you may need next: