Hi all, recently been accepted to UVA, and its definitely one of my top choices. I have every intention of starting to completely support myself through college, as I think the fact that my family is going to be paying for whatever is left after aid is enough of a gift already… Could any current UVA students speak to how easy/difficult it is to find work around UVA, and how flexible the hours are? Thanks! 
Are you eligible for work study? I understand it is easier to get the better work study jobs in your later years of college.
I imagine the easiest jobs for a 1st year to obtain are in the dining services. There is probably a great deal of info on their website. Those jobs also have the advantage of being close to dorms.
I would try to avoid working too many hours during your first semester, until you get adjusted to college schedules and workloads.
My out of state son was eligible for work study, and turned it down each year. Then a couple months into his 4th year, a prof talked to him about being involved in a research project that would have been work study funded, and he found out he couldn’t get the work study offer back.
If you don’t wind up having work study, you can also look to the shops and restaurants in town for job.
Imagine all the Bodo’s bagels you could eat…
@Charliesch how does one find out if they are eligible for work study?
When the U. sends out a financial aid offer, after you have filed all of your financial aid materials and been admitted, it is listed if you are eligible. Typically the amounts are 2500 a year for in-state and 4000 for out of state. Other people have written that it is hard to actually achieve 4000 a year in work study. I believe you cannot use work study during winter break or summer break (except maybe if you are enrolled at the time?)
Work study uses some federal funds. Many University departments prefer to use work study students when possible to fill part-time jobs, because it reduces the amount of dollars they need to spend. However, I believe it is up to each student to apply for and be accepted for the jobs, and there are no guarantees.
There are private restaurants and stores within walking distance of the U. that are often hiring. I believe U. students also get to ride city buses for free. If you want to work for a private business, you might try to apply a few weeks before all of the students come back.