Work Study or Outside Job?

I’ve been debating if whether I should get a job on campus/research/something related that WILL give me work study. The problem is, my work study only offers maximum of $1,500 per year. I was considering the alternative of working somewhere else that is not work study (fastfood/ restaurant/ retail) that might offer me more financial funds than work study.

If I choose to NOT do work study, then the following year work study will not be available to me.

What are the benefits of work study besides “experience”? I heard some get work study by working in the bookstore, but I don’t understand how that gains experience.

Work study experience is just regular job experience unless you get lucky and find a work study job that happens to be related to your major.

I have a work study job and an off campus job. I like my work study job better than retail. The one problem with an off campus job is finding a job that fits your schedule–work study jobs are typically better at that. I work at my work study job 4-5 days a week, and I work retail sparingly on weekends (depending on whether they schedule me). Also, work study advisors are great people to ask for recommendations.

On the other hand, I see the issue with money. If it’s $1,500 a year, then I would say work an off campus job. However, if it’s $1,500 a semester, that isn’t bad. I was offered $4,000 in work study last year. I worked 10-11 hours per week, and I barely even made it to the $1,500 line. I didn’t even make that much at my off campus job.