So on my final financial aid report, it includes a work study for $2,200.
I know that entails I’ll be given a job once there, but does that mean $2,200 of the money I make through that job goes towards tuition? Or do I keep all the money I make, and $2,200 is the maximum I can make? Or do I just work without pay, and they just chalk it up as $2,200 as long as I keep the job?
If I keep the money, will I still owe 2,200 in tuition?
My daughter was also awarded work study, and as I understand it, she will be paid by the hour and can use that paycheck toward living expenses, but it won’t go toward tuition. I think the amount given is a minimum, and you can work more hours if you want to. I’m unclear on how students go about finding a job once school starts–whether they have to look for it themselves or will it be assigned to them.
You can work on campus for work study, or you can go find a job off campus. If you want to work in the dining hall, then congratulations, you have a job in the dining hall. Working at the bookstore or other places on campus is a little harder (and not usually available to freshmen), but anyone can work at the dining hall.
The college will just pay the money into your bank account, and then it’s your responsibility to pay your tuition. If you want, you can ask them to immediately apply 50% or 75% of your earnings to tuition, but by default they will just give you the money, and then you’re responsible for making sure you don’t spend it all.
My understanding is that you can also usually work more than that amount but it becomes taxable on your federal income taxes. You can also certainly work less! The money comes directly to you unless you work it out with financial aid to apply to tuition/fees. Many first years worked in the dining hall, but my D was a certified lifeguard and so that’s what she did. They seem to need lifeguards and also offered training but that may have changed.