The Work-Study program is a federally funded program that provides part-time employment, primarily on campus, for students who show financial need.
Federal Work-Study awards range from $3,000 – $6,000 per academic year, $1,500 – $3,000 per semester. The pay rate ranges from $10.75 – $12.75 per hour.
Work-Study funds will only be disbursed as the student works the hours agreed upon between the student and their supervisor, usually 8 – 10 hours per week.
After the student is given their work schedule, they will:
- Work their scheduled hours.
- Submit their time/hours worked.
- Be paid for the hours worked, like a normal job, twice a month.
Students can only earn what they have been offered for work-study. If you do not work, you will not be paid the work-study funds that you have been offered.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility for Work-Study depends upon the need for employment to contribute to educational expense. Preference given to those with the highest financial need. Students must also meet general financial aid eligibility requirements.
Once Work-Study funds have been offered, students must continue to meet eligibility requirements so they can retain their Work-Study position and continue to earn their offered Work-Study funds.
To maintain your eligibility students must be:
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Enrolled at least half-time. If the student drops below half-time enrollment at any time during the fall, spring, or summer semesters and continues to work, they will not be paid for those hours by the Financial Aid office. No exceptions.
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Maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards.
- Registered for classes. The Work-Study offer is only for the semester it is awarded in, which means the student cannot earn the awarded Work-Study funds after the semester is over. To be able to work in-between semesters, students must be approved for Work-Study funds and be enrolled at least half-time for the next semester.
Applying for Work-Study
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Complete a FAFSA. Your FAFSA results determine if you are eligible for Work-Study funds.
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Complete the appropriate year Work-Study Offer Request form
You will need to apply for Work-Study each academic year.
If a student is currently working in a Work-Study position and would like to keep their current Work-Study position for the next academic year, they must secure their position with their supervisor before leaving for summer break.
Work-Study Award Notification
After receiving the Work-Study Offer Request Form from the student, the Financial Aid office will check the student’s account for eligibility. Once the student’s eligibility for Work-Study has been determined, a notification email will be sent to the student’s Hawkeye email with the results of the Work-Study Offer request. If the student is eligible for Work-Study, the Work-Study Offer will be added to the student’s Financial Aid Offer, with all other aid that can be viewed on the student’s Financial Aid Checklist that can be found in Self-Service > Financial Aid.
There is no guarantee of employment or that you will earn the amount of Work-Study funds that have been offered to you.