<p>How exactly does work study work? I'm a little confused about the whole process and would appreciate any input!</p>
<p>I wasn’t offered work study, but I do know if you are and you turn it down you probably won’t be offered it in your future years at USF! You should accept it, you’ll likely be able to work maybe 6-12 hours, worked around your class schedule, and be paid from minimum wage to maybe $10/hr. for a job on campus-you get paid I think every 2 weeks. The jobs are limited and go fast, so get a list of jobs available for work study from financial aid and email the contacts for different jobs on the list about 3 weeks before classes start seeking employment. It’s just like seeking any job though, but you should be able to easily line up a job if you get busy a few weeks before school term. I’ve got a job on campus (non work study) and work maybe 8-10 hrs/wk and earn extra pocket money. Good luck.</p>
<p>So I guess my other question is this: my financial aid award is $30 away from the total cost of attendance and includes the work study. Is the work study award going to be disbursed to USF and then will I be required to take the money I’ve earned from work study and give it to financial aid?</p>
<p>The work study is paid directly to you as a paycheck. For example, if you work two weeks and earn $150 for the period, you’ll get paid and the money goes right into your pocket (actually it will be direct deposited into your personal bank account). If you receive a work study award for $1000 for the semester, you don’t get it all up front, it just means you can possibly earn up to $1000 total for all pay checks in work study program for the semester.</p>
<p>So that money just goes in my pocket? And the amount is just paid toward my coa?</p>
<p>It will be right now money, in your pocket, that you can do whatever you want with it. You can use it to buy books, school supplies, school meals, gasoline, firecrackers, makeup, movie tickets, etc. Use it wisely just like any other money–it is though intended to help with school expenses not to be blown on stupid junk.</p>
<p>Okay thank you! So if I understand correctly, I can earn up to the ws amount and it is applied to my coa?</p>
<p>Exactly. You just won’t get any aid of any kind including WS over the estimated COA total.</p>