<p>Is it better to take the work study or work at a local place like fast food?</p>
<p>The benefits of work study is that you are basically guaranteed that job until you make the certain amount determined by your finaid award. They also have flexible hours and you only work like 8 hours per week.
Working in fast food probably doesn't pay more, and you might have to devote more time to longer shifts and such.</p>
<p>But arnt you fired if you make over the amount of work study? Will they rehire you?</p>
<p>You're not "fired" geez that sounds so bad. But yes you have a limit and after you make that amount, you cannot work anymore. You can find a job after that though.</p>
<p>Actually you are NOT guaranteed a job or "that" job. What you are awarded is the ability to earn a specific amount and one can get fired from a workstudy job. Not in the manner the poster thinks but just to be clear. Some kids get work study awards and the school has few positions and thus that student never does get the money in a particular semester/year. I know of this happening.</p>
<p>A real benefit of workstudy earnings is that they are subtracted back out of your FAFSA income for the nbext year, so they are not held against you. if you work on the outside, those earnings you are using for school expenses NOW are also considered as a resource for the next school year. Also, no FICA and other taxes out of the work-study plus generally no gas $ to get to work. I have heard some schools will allow outside jobs to be used for work-study, such as a summer job back home.</p>
<p>somemom has got it right. Work Study is the way to go. Income is shielded from future FAFSA calculations. So the net pay is higher than it appears.</p>
<p>Workstudy also supplies you with the flexibility to change your schedule (for exams, meetings with your professors etc) that most off campus jobs do not.</p>
<p>In most cases, you are able to ask for an increase on your Work Study award. I found that out while working for the Office of Financial Assistance at BU. If you write an appeal, you can actually have it increased if it runs out. It won't be much, but it works. It's not guaranteed, but it is worth a shot.</p>
<p>Do Work-Study. I work on campus at the dining hall at my school between and before class. It's really flexible.</p>
<p>Work study jobs also generally pay more. For example, a friend of mine was paid $12/hr to sit in the library and run the front desk (so she basically did her homework in the library, with a few interruptions for questions/book check-outs). Unless you have some job that is paying you extraordinary hourly wages, it is DEFINITELY to your advantage to work on- campus. Plus it's just more convenient.</p>