<p>SO UCSD offered me ~$2000 in work-study money, but it didn't give me more info. Before I accept or decline it, I'd like to know how many hours per week I'd work, what part of the year, for how long, etc.</p>
<p>That award means the school will cover half of your paycheck (your employer will pay the other half). I believe the money is provided by the federal government - they give the school the money, and the school creates part-time jobs for students. At least, I think that’s how it works. </p>
<p>Even if you accept the award, you don’t have to use it. You have to find a job (they don’t just assign you a job). Some on-campus jobs require applicants to have work-study grants. Technically, they might not let you keep working once you have earned the $2,000. But I know people who have stayed at their jobs beyond their awarded amount.</p>
<p>That work-study money is a nice negotiator for a lot of on-campus jobs that try to save their departmental budgets. Besides that bargaining power, the work-study doesn’t do much else.</p>