Work-Study

Work-study is a form of financial aid that provides employment opportunities to students who need help to pay for their educational expenses. Under this program, eligible students are granted a work-study award as part of their financial aid and are able to earn up to the amount of their award.

Eligibility

Work-study is a type of aid that is based on your financial need. Eligibility varies and is based partly on the types and amounts of other financial aid you are receiving. Work-study is awarded after your eligibility for scholarships and grants has been determined. Work-study funding comes from Federal and State programs, so the number of students that can be awarded is limited.

To be considered for work-study, you must

• complete a FAFSA each year,
  
• qualify for need-based aid, which is determined by your Expected Family Contribution (EFC),
  
• be enrolled at least half-time,
  
• and be meeting all of UMD’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements.

Benefits of Work-Study

Work-study positions have several advantages over regular miscellaneous student employment. Some employers are able to accept only applicants who have a work-study award, so you will find a greater number of job opportunities available if you have a work-study award . Also, the money you earn through a work-study job is not counted as income on the FAFSA and won’t affect your financial aid eligibility for the following year.

Work Requirements

You can use your work-study funds in any on-campus student position. There are also some programs, such as America Reads and America Counts tutoring programs, which offer positions off-campus. Student job opportunities are listed online through the Department of Human Resources, Student Employment.

You must maintain at least half-time enrollment to work as a student employee. If you are enrolled less than full-time, your eligibility may be reduced. Hiring departments and the Office of Financial Aid and Registrar will monitor your enrollment status and your earnings under the program to ensure that you maintain eligibility and do not exceed the amount of your award.

If you are awarded work-study, you will receive a letter with more details on how the program works, along with a Work-Study Referral Form. The referral form is documentation of your work-study eligibility for potential employers, so be sure to bring it with you when applying for jobs.

Note: If you are returning to an on-campus job which you held the previous year, your Work Study Referral Form will be sent directly to your hiring department.

How to Get Work-Study

If you are interested in work-study but were not offered an award, you can stop into the Student Assistance Center to check on your eligibility and to see if any funds are available. If funds are available, they are distributed on the SECOND DAY of each semester, so please plan accordingly. Funding is limited and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you are awarded work study after you receive your initial financial aid award, you may need to make adjustments to your loan funding in order to qualify. The Student Assistance Center staff will review your eligibility with you and advise you of any necessary adjustments .

If you are not able to use your work-study award, it may be possible to cancel it and exchange it for additional loan funding; contact the Student Assistance Center if you are thinking of canceling your award. If you have a job on campus, be sure to check with your employer before declining or reducing a work-study award .

Summer Work Study

If you are enrolled for summer classes, you will automatically be considered for summer work-study if you worked under the program during the fall or spring semester.

If you did not have work-study during the fall or spring semester and would like to get it for the summer, stop by the Student Assistance Center to check on your eligibility and the availability of funds.

Note: Summer financial aid is calculated separately for eligible students. Please visit our Summer Financial Aid page for additional details.

Jobs

UMD posts all job vacancies online. New postings are added regularly, so be sure to check the vacancies often if you are interested in student employment. A work-study award is not a guarantee of employment, and the Office of Financial Aid and Registrar cannot assign jobs to students. If you need assistance finding a job, you can request help from the Department of Human Resources, Student Employment Office.