Work-Study is an employment program for students with financial need.

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.

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. The amount can vary 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. 

If students were not originally awarded Work-Study and wish to receive Federal Work-Study, submit a written request to add work-study to your financial aid award, if funding becomes available you will be contacted by our Office.

The process is as follows:

  • Apply for the job that interests you from the Job Opportunities webpage
  • If selected for the position, you may be required to attend a sign in session with the Human Resource Office located in MSR 320.

An Authorization Form is an agreement between you, the employer and the Federal Work-Study Program. Returning work-study employees may not begin working until this is signed. 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.

You may begin seeking job placements as early as August. 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 (MyStanState Portal) with the Statement of Educational Purpose.

NOTE: You may not be employed under Federal Work-Study after the date of any withdrawal from all classes.

Hourly wages start at $15.50/hr, but may be higher depending on your skills, experience, and type of work you do.

With few exceptions, you may work up to 20 hours/wk during classes and 40 hours/wk on certain weeks, depending on the Academic Calendar. Contact the Human Resources office for addtional information.

No, you may not have more than one Work-Study job.

Federal Work-Study students are placed on Stanislaus State payroll and are paid monthly by Direct Deposit into your Bank Account or by check which can be picked up at the Cashiers Office located in the Mary Stuart Rogers Gateway Building, Suite 100.

Updated: July 31, 2023