Financial Aid & Scholarships

Work-Study FAQs

Choose a Frequently Asked Question to see the Answer:

What is Work-Study?
How do I apply for Work-Study?
Who gets Work-Study?
What is the process to obtain a work-study job?
What is an Authorization Form?
When may I begin looking for a job & begin earning my Federal Work-Study award?
How much can I earn per hour?
Is there a limit on the hours per week I can work?
May I work more than one Federal Work-Study job?
How will I be paid?
Is it possible to get additional Federal Work-Study eligibility?

Q:	What is Work-Study?
A:	Work-Study is an employment program for students with financial need.

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Q:	How do I apply for Work-Study?
A:	Work-Study is a campus-based program administered by the Financial Aid Office. To apply for Work-Study, you need to: File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before March 2 Indicate interest in Work-Study by marking the FAFSA question 31.

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Q:	Who gets Work-Study?
A:	The Financial Aid Office sets the packaging guidelines used to award Work-Study. Work-Study eligibility is awarded after grants, scholarships, loans and other aid for which you are entitled. The amount varies from student to student. For any Academic Year, Work-Study will be awarded only to entering freshman, transfer students entering as juniors, and continuing students who earned Work-Study wages during the previous school year. Students who indicate interest in the program, but did not earn Work-Study wages during the previous academic year, may submit a written request to the Financial Aid Office; eligible students will be placed on a wait list if funds become available.

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Q:	What is the process for awarded students to obtain a work-study job?
A:	Select a job that interests you from Current Work-Study Openings. Contact the interview person, complete the Student Employment application.pdf and arrange an appointment for an interview. If selected for the position, pick up the Authorization Form from the Financial aid Office and take it to the employer for completion. Return the signed Authorization Form to the Financial Aid Office in person to obtain authorization to begin work.

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Q:	What is an Authorization Form?
A:	An Authorization Form is an agreement between you, the employer and the Federal Work-Study Program. The authorization form specifies the job title, hourly rate, student earnings limit, employer and work-study shares of earnings paid. The agreement stipulates that the employer will be responsible to cover 100% of any earnings paid to the student in excess of the earnings limit.

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Q:	When may I begin looking for a job and begin earning my Federal Work-Study award?
A:	You may begin seeking job placements as early as August 2. Federal Work-Study employment may begin anytime during the academic year starting the first day of the semester through the last day of finals provided you are enrolled at least half-time and you meet the following requirements: You have a work-study award; You have accepted your Award (MyCSUSTAN) with the Statement of Educational Purpose. NOTE: Single-semester awards: Students may begin earning wages after the first day of classes for Fall or Spring Semester. Fall only students may not work after the last day of finals during the Fall Semester. You may not be employed under Federal Work-Study after the date of any withdrawal from all classes, or dropping below half-time enrollment.

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Q:	How much can I earn per hour?
A:	Hourly wages start at $8.00/hr, but may be higher depending on your skills, experience, and type of work you do.

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Q:	Is there a limit on the hours per week I can work?
A:	With few exceptions, you may work up to 20 hours/wk during classes and 40 hours/wk on certain weeks.

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Q:	Can I work more than one Federal Work-Study job?
A:	You may have more than one job; however, we recommend that you only have one work-study job during any year.

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Q:	How will I be paid?
A:	Federal Work-Study students are placed on CSU Stanislaus payroll and are paid monthly by Direct Deposit into your Bank Account or by check at the Cashiers Office located in the Mary Stuart Rogers Gateway Building, Room #MSR100 (contact information)

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Q:	Is it possible to get additional Federal Work-Study eligibility?
A:	Requests for additional Work-Study eligibility is based on unmet need or approved budgetary add-ons, are granted on a case-by-case basis depending on the availability of funds.

Financial Aid and Scholarship Office

Work-Study FAQs