<p>The major difference between working at a restaurant and working in a WS job is that the restaurant earnings may be held against you for the next years financial aid, the WS earnings will not. A dependent student has @ $3200 in protected income. Anything over that 50% goes to the EFC. So if you earn $5000 in a non WS job your EFC the next year would increase by 900 (5000 - 3200 = 1800. 1800 x 50% = 900) reducing your eligibility for aid. If you make $5000 in a WS job it will have no affect on your EFC. Or if you earn $3000 in a non WS job and another $3500 in a WS job it will not affect your EFC as the non WS $3000 is under the protected amount.</p>
<p>Also FICA taxes (7.65%) are not deducted from WS earnings.</p>