<p>It's free money, and all you have to do is work for like 10 hrs a week, which is not that much I don't think. I mean, I understand that some don't need an Fin. aid but what about the rest. What are the negatives of a work-study program? What is a work-study?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Work study jobs are just like any other part time job, except that the employer (an academic department, lab, etc.) is partially reimbursed out of financial aid funds - I believe federal money.</p>
<p>So, to answer your question more specifically, more kids don't do work study because:</p>
<ul>
<li> they don't need the money</li>
<li> they don't qualify for work study.</li>
</ul>
<p>Some parents make a conscious decision especially during freshman year to come up with the money that was allocated for work study so that student won't have to work and can use that time getting used to the rigors of college life. </p>
<p>If you get work study, you don't have to take it, but the college is not going to add to your scholarship and you will just hve to find another way to replace the money. Kids who have Federal worksudy oftern get first crack at any work study jobs. At schools that do not have a lot of employment opportunites for non-work study students, it means finding a job off -campus which brings its own set of ups and downs.</p>
<p>What exactly is work-study?</p>
<p>Federal Work-Study</p>
<p>What is Federal Work-Study?
The Federal Work-Study Program provides jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to each students course of study. </p>
<p>How much will I make? </p>
<p>Youll earn at least the current federal minimum wage, but the amount might be higher depending on the type of work you do and the skills required. Your total Federal Work-Study award depends on when you apply, your level of need, and the funding level of your school. </p>
<p>How will I be paid?</p>
<p>If youre an undergraduate, youll be paid by the hour. If youre a graduate student, you might be paid by the hour or you might receive a salary, depending on the work you do. Your school must pay you at least once a month. Also, your school must pay you directly, unless you request that the school make payments to your bank account or use the money to pay for your education-related institutional charges such as tuition, fees, and room and board.</p>
<p>Are Federal Work-Study jobs on campus or off campus?
Both. If you work on campus, youll usually work for your school. If you work off campus, your employer will usually be a private nonprofit organization or a public agency, and the work performed must be in the public interest. Some schools might have agreements with private for-profit employers for Federal Work-Study jobs. These jobs must be relevant to your course of study (to the maximum extent possible). If you attend a proprietary school, there might be further restrictions on the jobs you can be assigned. </p>
<p>Can I work as many hours as I want?
No. The amount you earn cant exceed your total Federal Work-Study award. When assigning work hours, your employer or financial aid administrator will consider your class schedule and your academic progress.</p>
<p>Thanks but what is the actual work you are doing? My ignorance leads me to believe you just get paid for studying on your own or something.</p>
<p>No, depending on the school there are a variety of campus jobs, ranging from working in the library, food services to being research assistants. I would recommend searching the websites at the schools that you are interested in to see what they offer as far as student employment.</p>
<p>My daughter is a student at Darmouth so I posted their work-study link:</p>
<p>click search jobnet</p>
<p>While some jobs are designated for work study students, there are jobs that students who are not on work study can apply to also</p>
<p>Will it really take time away from studies, or will I be able to cope with it?</p>
<p>alot of work studies are flexible and usually on the campus you are studying at. Like for instance you could work form 10am to 2pm at the Info Desk on Tuesday, since you have no classes scheduled at that time, and then 3pm to 7pm on Wednesdays because u have no classes at that time, usually doing alittle bit of work is good for you, that way you dont have so much time, that you begin slackin off ;)</p>
<p>For the most part, as Anthony said, work study is flexible and you set up your schedule based on your class schedules. Some people may have jobs that they put in their 10 hours one day on the week end. Last semester, my daughter worked 2 hours per day</p>
<p>Personally, I'd rather graduate in debt than work part-time during the year. College only happens once.</p>
<p>If you get the opportunity, you really should work, because you may want to go to graduate school or get a job afterwards. It's just like building your college application all over again. When you apply for jobs/ grad/professional school they will want to know what have you done outside of going to class, so think of work study as building your resume.</p>
<p>Daughter's currently is pre-med and her work study job is as a research assistant at the medical school</p>
<p>I was able to apply for a job with an Environmental Conservation Office, and because work-study was paying the bulk of my salary, they let me try my hand at a number of different tasks from insect population counts, camp ground inspections (I found my favorite camping site ever that year,) my favorite activities were fire tower and interior cabin inventory and puddle jumping in a small plane taking photos for insect infestation studies. I got a great educational experience and a decent job reference.</p>
<p>I agree with the members who have suggested work study jobs that are interesting from a career or academic standpoint. Why work in the cafeteria when you may be able to score a job in your field of study? Even if it starts off as a menial assignment, it can grow once the people know you. It beats loading dishes or cleaning tables(although even that type of job will demonstrate a willingness to work.)</p>
<p>my daughter works in the computer lab at her school- she meets virtually everyone on campus cause everyone comes into CUS
It pays well and she can study during slow times- campus jobs are also much more flexible of your other obligations than off campus jobs.
People who have jobs during the school year benefit becuase they have to plan their time- and seem to be more on top of their studies than those who are more casual about scheduling.
There also is a benefit to jobs like working on game day or cafeteria.
You get to meet everyone on campus- that can be fun!
it can be relaxing to have a job that is somewhat mindless- and earning money while you are doing it.
Just as long as you aren't working 20+ hours a week, a job should be managable and builds on skills you will need once you graduate.</p>
<p>ugh i hate how so many of the jobs i want are work-study only, which i didnt qualify for. now ill have to resort to lower-paying jobs for the student union-operated stores. oh well.</p>
<p>I received enough aid that my school wouldn't grant me work-study, but I did work-study all through high school.</p>
<p>How are Federal work study earnings considered on FAFSA?
I THINK I remember that they are not counted as student income so do not inflate the EFC for following year???</p>
<p>Also, are WS earnings reported as regular income on the student's Federal 1040?</p>
<p>I appreciate any responses from folks who have been there.</p>
<p>right work study does not count as income on FAFSA
It is actually part of your finaid package- so to count it as income would be like counting your loans or grants as income to be used for the next years tuition
workstudy is counted as income on taxes and you will recieve a w-2</p>
<p>Thanks, Emeraldkitty.</p>
<p>Yes, son received W2 for workstudy; I see no federal taxes withheld.
State taxes were witheld.
I appreciate your help. Son earned about $3200 total from about 5 different part time jobs and filing so he can get refund due is not so much fun!
I'm trying online through irs.gov for free for first time.....</p>