Office of Student Aid : Parents of Students : Parent Newsletter

Volume 5, Issue 5--September 2007

Campus Jobs--Federal Work-Study and Wage Payroll Opportunities

Federal Work-Study is an aid program for eligible undergraduate and graduate students with high financial need. Students indicate their interest in the program when they complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by answering "yes" to the question, "In addition to grants, are you interested in 'work-study' (which you earn through work)?" The Office of Student Aid considers students for Work-Study awards based on their answer to that question; however, it is a need-based aid program, so not all students who want to receive Work-Study awards are eligible.

Work-Study awards allow students to earn a portion of their educational expenses based on the hours they work. Positions are available at each Penn State campus and at off-campus, non-profit organizations. Unlike most other forms of financial aid, Work-Study earnings are not credited to or deducted from a student's tuition bill. Students receive paychecks, every other week, based on the hours they have worked. The earnings are direct-deposited into the student's designated checking or savings account.

Work-Study opportunities are listed on eLion under the Work-Study Job Search option from the Students menu. It is very important to note that students who are not hired by the end of the second week of classes risk losing their Work-Study awards. In order to hold their award as they continue to search for a position, students should select the Work-Study Extension on eLion.

Students who don't receive Federal Work-Study awards still have opportunities for campus employment. Our office maintains listings of wage payroll positions that are available on-campus. Students can apply for these positions even if they were not awarded Federal Work-Study. Additionally, students can monitor the campus and local newspapers for employment listings.