<p>We are trying to filter through S's financial package, as we need to sign everything by mid-January. They have him down for work-study money, which he sorely needs, but I am worried with all the time devoted to the BFA, and adjusting to college in general, how realistic is that? Are there any students out there now who hold down a job while doing a BFA program?</p>
<p>My gut tells me that he should work, and just get that piece into his college routine. Yes, I am sitting here with a whip in hand - you have a problem with that? LOL!</p>
<p>I’m sure there are kids who work but I wouldn’t advise it if it’s at all possible to avoid, especially in freshman year. Is a part-time job possible? Sure, but go into it knowing that the student will undoubtedly miss out on other opportunities.We were of the opinion that we were paying a lot of money for the degree and wanted our D to be able to take advantage of every possible opportunity and experience. There have been other discussions on this topic here, probably every year! :), so a search may turn up some further opinions for you.</p>
<p>It may also depend on what school your student is attending and what opportunities and experience are available there.</p>
<p>My son’s friend at Shenandoah told us that many of them have part-time work-study jobs. She does clerical work in the admissions office and says it makes a nice change of pace.</p>
<p>How many hours of work study do you foresee? I’m guessing it will be do-able if the job can work around the theater needs. D has an internship this spring that will take 30 hours a week, but it only runs for 6 weeks. Her rehearsal responsibilities at school won’t begin until the internship ends. </p>
<p>Which is to say–I’d call the theater dept and ask. I’m guessing they have ways of working it out with work/study, and that some work/study jobs may even be within the theater dept.</p>
<p>I do not think there is a general answer to this question. It is likely slightly different from school to school in terms of feasibility. An issue that freshmen often run into is that their class schedule is more strictly structured, and the workstudy jobs that are still available when they arrive in campus in August may not work into that schedule. Is there someone he knows in the Theatre program at BU who could answer the question for him specifically in terms of that program? </p>
<p>When I was at Syracuse ushering for Syracuse Stage shows was a workstudy job, I believe. Students could work that around class and rehearsal schedules. Some also worked late shifts signing students in at dorms. Food service was more difficult to work around class and rehearsal schedules.</p>
<p>Where I now teach (intensive BA program) there are students who are paid to work in the office, scene, costume, and electrics shops (I think sound as well), accompanists, production managers of the studio theatre space, etc… Students also are hired by the Forbes Center to work events, house manage, etc… Some students work outside of the program as office assistants in other departments, tutors, etc… Some of these are WS positions, some are simply student wage positions that any qualified student can apply for whether or not they have work study. Like at Syracuse, our students have a harder time trying to fit campus food service positions (often the most plentiful student jobs on college campuses) into their class and rehearsal schedule. Most who work find it easier to schedule working in the program. And the jobs are related to their course of study, so it is a win win.</p>
<p>Perhaps BU has similar opportunities for qualified students to work in the shops and offices.</p>
<p>If he does not already have the full federal loan amount in his aid package, I believe that most schools will allow the WS money to be converted to a loan. </p>
<p>Most schools will not make-up the WS amount with grants, so I do not think it could not hurt to accept the WS and see how easy it is for him to get a job that works with his schedule once on campus. WS is paid only when the student works the hours. If he does not work all of the hours he will not receive the full award amount. </p>
<p>If you post the question about pros and cons of accepting the WS and not being able to use it in the Financial Aid forum someone can likely answer you more definitively.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using CC</p>
<p>Work-study grants are designed by colleges for college students, and so they ought to accommodate any student’s schedule. I heartily recommend accepting it; work-study is usually highly sought after, and I’m sure there’s a waiting list for it. Your son was accepted into the School of Drama/CFA, and so they realize that he will have theatrical obligations. It’s a lot for a kid to shoulder, but work-study will probably be more flexible than any outside job would be. It’s also guaranteed, whereas outside employment - even if more remunerative - is not, especially in times of high youth unemployment in areas with large student populations.</p>
<p>My son attends Boston University and there is a plethora of work-study jobs, many of them very undemanding, token-type jobs. (They include jobs in the School of Theatre office.) Your son should have no trouble being able to find something his schedule can accommodate.</p>
<p>Congtratulations on your son’s acceptance to BU, Marbleheader!</p>
<p>Thanks all - you have all made points that I have been thinking about. Mainly, accepting the work-study now and seeing how it plays out, and also wondering if there were plenty of jobs to choose from. Can’t picture S working in the kitchen, but he may as well get used to that, considering his chosen field! But working within the CFA would be great too.</p>
<p>There is already plenty of loan in his financial package, so I don’t want him to roll the Work study into a loan. My daughter had to do that, as the jobs at her school were limited and snapped up by juniors and seniors - so she rolled it into a loan to take summer courses. That is a nice option, tho.</p>
<p>I guess, like I said, I want S to start off working, even though that seems like I want it to be difficult for him. I don’t - I just want him to understand that it is what it is and he needs to work, make money, and help with his tuition. It will help him in time-management, as well as possibly giving him another group of students to interact with. </p>
<p>As always, thanks for the advice. We were so happy with his acceptance, I wasn’t even thinking we’d have to sign off on the financial aid. The package is tentative, and I am hoping that it may be adjusted, once D applies and transfers to a full-time liberal arts college for fall 2013.</p>
<p>I think each school is different, but my D at Northwestern is a Freshman and is doing 6-7 hours/week in work study. She loves the job (she walks to it) and it’s nice for her to have the experience and pocket money for living & student expenses. Northwestern was very helpful with the work study, giving many doable options and making it easy for the students to sign up and interview.</p>
<p>At Coastal we have both work study jobs where students who are “of need” are paid by the state, and then on-campus jobs for students where the university pays. Theatre students are able to take part in both, and certainly do. There is work in the scenic and costume shops, and many students are hired as first semester freshmen. The box office at Wheelwright Auditorium (our main ticketing system for all on-campus events) hires theatre students a lot. I personally work with 2 other majors in the theatre office scheduling the BFA Auditions. The two other girls do general clerical/administrative work as well as work on the senior showcase, budget…</p>
<p>Must jobs are 10-20 hours a week, depending (typically on the side of 10 because people are so busy). Since its within the theatre department, our bosses are always really understanding. I work with the two other girls in the office to plan the work schedule so we all 3 get our 10 hours a week but aren’t in there at the same time… all around our class schedules. It takes some maneuvering, but it’s worth it to have nights free! Maybe look into a lesser load like that? If your S works in the theatre department people might be more understanding of class load, rehearsals, etc. :)</p>
<p>My daughter who is a techie at CMU works sporadically doing tours of the department for prospective parents as well as backstage jobs such as costume inventory. The work is piecemeal so she works only when her school/show schedule allows it. There is work enough for those who are not on work-story.</p>
<p>I do residence office work behind a desk for my work-study at Chapman. It’s actually quite relaxing at times. As for the hourly constraints, I’m not allowed to pull more than 19 hours a week, which suits me fine as that provides a decent paycheck without infringing too badly on my schedule.</p>
<p>I should note that I’m currently only a BA student (BFA auditions are pending for a while into the second semester) but there are quite a few of my cohorts in the BFA who have campus jobs, including in the Office of the Department of Theatre.</p>
<p>OKAY! Looks like quite a few of you are doing fine while working at school. That makes me feel better, knowing that it is something - while maybe not ideal - is very doable.</p>
<p>Cold, but blessedly sunny today - Happy 2013!</p>
<p>Hi M,
Daughter at BU CFA, done work study all 4 years, only 10 hours and it has worked out great, gave her things for her resume, responsibility, time management skills, and 2 years working in the CFA office… NO down side, as far as I can see…Your son might know her from Busti, write off line if you care to.</p>
<p>My D wasn’t eligible for work study and didn’t work her freshman year, but she knew lots of kids who did. Now in her sophomore year she decided to get a job, if she could find one flexible enough to work around rehearsals. She tried to get an on-campus job, but found some of them were difficult to schedule around rehearsals. She found a local retail job that she really enjoys - she likes hanging out with a different group of new friends, and she loves using her “people” skills from her studies. It’s been excellent for time management, and for her resume.</p>