There are three types of student employment: Federal Work-Study (FWS), State Work-Study (SWS), and Institutional Work-Study (IWS). All employment programs are handled in the same manner except that eligibility requirements differ for each. However, all students must be registered for a minimum of six credits per academic term to maintain eligibility for student employment.

Federal and State Work-Study funds are awarded to students demonstrating financial need, based upon the FAFSA. A work-study award is not a guarantee of a job, nor does it guarantee that you will earn all of your award amount. You do not receive work-study monies until you locate a job and begin working. You must apply and interview for work-study positions. The amount you earn is dependent upon the job you obtain. Work- study positions pay at least the campus minimum of $7.10 per hour and sometimes higher depending on the type of work you do and the skills required. One main advantage of FWS and SWS employment is that when you apply for future financial aid, you are given credit for your work-study earnings on the FAFSA.

Every department and office on campus hires students; however, some jobs are not listed through the Financial Aid Office and positions on campus are limited. Off-campus positions provide students with the opportunity to perform community service work. Department listings for an on and off-campus employers, along with job descriptions and current openings, are available on the Employer Directory link.

Once a student has secured a job, a Student Employment Contract will be completed by the hiring unit and submitted to the Financial Aid Office. Before beginning work, students must complete a set of payroll documents, available in the Financial Aid Office. Acceptable identification, normally a Driver's License and Social Security Card, are necessary for completing these documents, which must be completed PRIOR to starting work.

When the employment contract has been awarded and payroll documents are complete, the student will be emailed an Excel time sheet file. The student may then begin working and must follow instructions for submitting time sheets to their hiring unit. Payroll checks are generated once every two weeks.

Student employment checks are issued directly to the students for their use as needed for educational expenses.

For more information, review the information contained in the Student Handbook

Work-Study Eligibility

Freshman students with the highest financial need are awarded Federal and State Work-Study as a part of their financial aid package. Freshmen and returning students who have been offered a Direct Subsidized Loan are Federal Work-Study eligible; however, depending on the student's other aid and the student's Estimated Family Contribution from the FAFSA, the amount of the loan may have to be decreased or replaced with Direct Unsubsidized Loan monies. Due to federal regulations, need-based federal loans must be adjusted upon receipt of additional aid, if the total exceeds the student's calculated need.

Students with questions should contact the Financial Aid Office directly to determine how employment will impact their financial aid package. Students are encouraged to stop in during office hours (9am-4pm) to receive a Work-Study Eligibility Form to determine if they are FWS eligible and the amount they are eligible to earn. The maximum number of hours a student may work while school is in session is 10 per week. Students must maintain six credits and satisfactory progress toward completion of their courses.

Students are eligible to work semester breaks and summer if they are registered for at least six credits for the prior term and are registered for at least six credits for the following term.

Steps to finding a job

Check work study eligibility in the Financial Aid Office. Students will find that there are opportunities for part-time employment on and off campus. The Employer Directory contains lists of employers, job descriptions and current job openings. Students are responsible for contacting departments regarding their willingness to work, work-study eligibility and job skills.

Students may not earn more than their work-study award. It is the student's responsibility to coordinate their hours if working more than one work-study job. Students may not work more than 10 hours per week during the academic year. Students should not be working during hours they are scheduled to be in class. Once a student earns the amount of their award, they must stop working immediately. If they want to continue working, students should contact the Financial Aid Office and the hiring unit to determine if they are eligible for an increase to their contract.

Be sure to view the current student job openings on-line or apply in person to the departments in the Employer Directory. Carefully review or discuss the job requirements and job descriptions. Applicants may be screened and not all will be given an interview.

How will I get paid?

Prior to working and once every three years, you must complete payroll documents in the Financial Aid Office.

Be sure to bring ONE set of the following documents:

International students will be required to have:

*Reminder: students filing "exempt" from taxes must file a new W-4 in January of each year. W-4 forms are available in the Financial Aid Office or students can go on-line and make the change at http://hrss.umn.edu . Directions are available on-line at Update W-4 On-line .

When students are approved by the Financial Aid Office to begin working, students will receive an Excel time sheet file with instructions in their campus email account. Students are then considered eligible to begin working. Time sheets are due in the Financial Aid Office the Monday following the end of the pay period. Visit the Services for Employers page to see specific due dates and paydays.

The time sheet file must be saved to a disk or computer hard drive after each entry to allow the student and the hiring unit to monitor the amount left to earn on the time sheet.

Paychecks should be picked up promptly in the Financial Aid Office. Students need to show picture identification and sign for their paychecks. Online pay statement and Direct Deposit information is available at: http://hrss.umn.edu .