Hey everyone - I am a senior at the University of Michigan and have been awarded work-study for the first time as part of my financial aid package.
I was wondering if there was any benefit in taking work-study jobs over other jobs I can get while studying. Work-study jobs tend to pay in the $10/hour range at Michigan, but I can find work that will pay me between $12 and $25/hour that is non-work-study. Are there any benefits for me taking advantage of the work-study award vs. me just working other jobs?
Well…in your case…probably the better paying job is the better choice. If you were a freshman, work study might be better as WS earnings are not used in the financial aid calculation formulas in subsequent years. But you are graduating.
Sometimes WS jobs have a little more flexibility during exams and the like…but if you already have a regular jig, you have likely worked that out already.
Work study functions to cause the employers to prefer work study students over others (or restrict the jobs offered to work study students). But if you can find a more desirable non work study job compared to work study jobs, then you can certainly choose the non work study job.
Employers within your university generally prefer to hire students with work-study awards if they can, because the work-study program pays a major share of the wages for those students rather than employer having to pay all of those wages out of their own budget. You still have to be qualified for the job and get hired, there are no guarantees.
I think that off-campus employers, not affiliated with your university, generally do not have access to work-study funds.
If you do take a job that is not work-study, you should let your Financial Aid office know so that they can re-allocate the funds awarded to you to another needy student.
@thumper1 is correct. The main benefit of work study is that the income does not count as income in the following year’s FA determination. But you’re graduating. So, no advantage. Except that some employers prefer students with work study because the wages are subsidized, i.e. less out of pocket for the employer.
Work study jobs will not allow you to study while you WORK. But some work study jobs have less actual “work time” than others , and while you wait for your next order of business, you can study.
I think what @thomas4881 means that a work study job will provide you with more flexibility to allow you to study and work. Because these jobs are more tailored to students and the need to change their hours in advance of a big test or project may be easier than working for a traditional employer where if you don’t work that shift you may not be able to easily make up those hours.