<p>I was wondering, if I don't decline work-study, is it mandatory for me to do it once I get to college?</p>
<p>No it is not mandatory. Students often find it hard to earn the full award (my daughter has not anyway). Of course you will not get the money.</p>
<p>If you are thinking you may not want to do it because of time constraints and being a freshman have you considered asking if part can be converted into a subsidized loan? That may be possible if you have not already received the maximum subsidized stafford.</p>
<p>If you are positive that you will not take advantage of the work-study at all, it is best to go ahead and decline the funds...that way some other student who needs the funding will be able to get it. Now, if you are still uncertain, then keep it.</p>
<p>At my undergrad and I know at others workstudy funds can be wholly or partially converted to a Perkins Loan. One can do this at any time during the academic year. So start out working, change your mind later if you take on more academic load. </p>
<p>My son has $1800 of workstudy a year. I think it is actually a good thing for kids to work a little during the school year. It helps with time management, and many of the workstudy jobs allow you to study a little while you work - and they are flexible with student committments and also provide you with work experience for your resume. There really isn't a downside! Plus, although they are taxable, for the FAFSA/PROFILE the amount you earn is not counted as student income.</p>
<p>I agree work study is a good thing. But my daughter was awarded $3400 2007/8 school year and has been awarded the same this coming year which is hard to earn. We converted half last year to a subsidized Stafford and she still did not earn the whole award. But it was a lot easier to fit the WS job in with school than the outside job she started off with and the prof was very flexible when my daughter had stuff due or exams coming up.</p>
<p>StrawberryMayo,
When you get to college, you can look for a workstudy job. There usually are tons of them (my d's school has a big listing and maybe a job fair of sorts). I think there is a listing online as well. If you see a job posted, make sure it's workstudy as some campus jobs are not. You may be surprised at how flexible some of them are. My D's school hires kids to take notes for fellow students who are hearing impaired. So, she gets paid to go to her class and takes notes (something she should be doing anyway). She has had other jobs giving tours, working in housing, etc. Some jobs are just a few hours a week, whereas others are up to 20hr/week. Hiring goes on throughout the year, so it's not like you have to start working week 1.</p>
<p>If you aren't offered work study from FAFSA, are you not eligible for campus jobs?</p>
<p>Can you still try to get a job at school without it?</p>
<p>You may still be able to get on campus jobs as long as they are not specified as being work study. The government pays a large % of the wage for work study jobs so only WS recipients are eligible for those - and of course the employers really like having WS employees because it is good for their budget. At my daughter's school most on campus jobs are work study.</p>
<p>How do we get the work study money? is it just weekly/monthly checks? or does it automatically apply to your schools fees?</p>
<p>if it automatically applies...will I have the money over this summer so i can use it to pay my fees and than just work for it during the year? or will i not get it until after i start working?</p>
<p>You have to find, apply for, and get a WS job. Then you work and are paid (my daughter is paid every 2 weeks - I am sure this varies). No you do not get it in the summer then work for it. You have to work like a regular job then get paid.</p>
<p>That's why it's not usually used to pay for tuition or fees, that have to be paid up front. It works out better to use WS money for costs that come up throughout the semester, like travel and personal costs (hygiene, clothing, recreational activities). These items aren't "necessary" so if you don't earn money that month (cut back on hours because of exams/projects, hate the job and quit, get fired, the position gets eliminated and you haven't found a new one yet), you just do without. Remember, students generally work 5-10 hrs a week so that's not that much money. Often pay is $7-$8/hr and taxes are deducted, so that doesn't leave much. At some schools (like Yale), the pay is much higher.</p>
<p>My daughters's school has no jobs that aren't work study. She would dearly love a job to be able to earn some spending cash. It's been a bit of a hardship because she has no car and can't go off campus, but what can you do.</p>
<p>If a student declines work study in their freshman year, will it still be offered on their financial aid package in following years?</p>
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If a student declines work study in their freshman year, will it still be offered on their financial aid package in following years?
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<p>I would say - yes. If it is not offered then ask.</p>
<p>Work-study - If you applied to Financial Aid and have "need" and you are not offered work-study then ask.
Work-study jobs are very convenient for underclassmen because the jobs are often on campus and it is easy to make your schedule and even flex your hours if needed. Often times your Work study boss will understand if you need time for a big test - etc. Sometimes you can even get a job in the department that you major. My daughter is a chem major and works in the chemistry department.
You will get a pay check. The amount is taxable but there will not be any Soc. Sec or medicare tax deducted - a little bonus.
Most schools pay minimum wage.</p>
<p>One financial package for my d's school did not include work-study - when I called was told they don't include it as financial aid but she was eligible for it. She would get more info in the fall. They also limit freshmen to 10 hours/week.</p>