Federal and State Work Study Programs

The primary purpose of the Federal and State Work Study Program as outlined by Federal Regulations is to provide part-time employment for students who demonstrate financial need in order to defray/contribute to the cost of higher education. Work Study employment allows students the opportunity to earn their aid and is not intended to interfere with a student’s education; a student’s studies will be given first priority.

The Federal Work Study Program provides on-campus and off-campus part-time employment for undergraduates who are enrolled during the Fall, Spring and Summer Session I; the Texas Work Study Program provides on-campus part-time employment for undergraduates who are enrolled in at least 6 credit hours during the Fall and Spring semesters.

The number of Work Study positions available per year for the college is determined by the Federal and State Work Study allocations from the U.S. Department of Education and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board respectively, for that award year.

Requirements:

  • Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled as stipulated above. Note: if applying during the end of Spring semester for May-June employment, students must also be pre-registered for the upcoming Fall semester or for Summer Session I.
  • Apply and complete the FAFSA; if students are applying during the end of Spring semester for May-June employment, the students must have the upcoming year’s FAFSA complete too.
  • Students must meet Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.
  • Students must have unmet need.
  • Students must submit a completed Work Study Application.
  • The number of hours of part-time work is based on the student's financial need per year.
  • Maximum award is based on a student's need.

Apply for Work-Study

To apply for a Work Study position you must submit a Work Study Application. Applications are also available at any Student Financial Services Office (Mid Valley, NAH, Pecan, Starr or Technology campus). After you fill it out, turn it in to any of the Student Financial Services Offices. Work Study applications are subject to a background check; only those approved will be considered.

The Work Study Application is valid from September of the current award year through June of next year; if not hired, a new Work Study Application must be submitted for the new award year.

Work Study Applications may be made available for review, to off-campus sites such as school districts, community service organizations and/or city public libraries.

Note: Submitting a Work Study Application does not guarantee a work study job, nor an interview.

Additional Information:

  • Supervisors with vacancies will review Work Study Applications and will contact student(s) for an interview; if, after the interview they are interested in hiring the student, our office, along with the supervisor will begin the hiring process
  • Work Study students are allowed a maximum of nineteen hours per week; there is no minimum. Nineteen hours a week will allow the student to continuously work while enrolled in school. Work Study students are not allowed to earn more than what was awarded to them on their award letter. It is the student’s and supervisor’s responsibility not to exceed the total award amount.
  • The number of Work Study positions available for each department, per year, is determined by the Federal and State Work Study allocations from the U.S. Department of Education and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board respectively, for that award year.
  • Students can have only one work study job at a time.
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