Workstudy
Federal Work-Study
This is a federally subsidized work program in which qualified students can earn a paycheck in part-time positions, either on-campus or off-campus at approved non-profit organizations.
WORK STUDY DATES FOR 2007/2008:
Fall/Spring dates: Start date 8/19/2007, End date 5/3/2008
Summer 2008 dates: Start date 5/4/2008, End date 8/16/2008
Become a Work-Study Student!
Step 1: Submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Assistance). On Question 26 (“What types of student aid interest you?”) answer “1” for work-study or “3” for both work-study and loans. If you’ve already submitted your FAFSA don’t make a correction to it – just request a work-study award.
Step 2: Wait! When you receive your financial aid notification you should see a work-study award. If you don’t, or if you’ve already submitted your FAFSA, request a work-study award.
Step 3: Apply for jobs! Review the list of open work-study positions. Each listing gives instructions about how to apply, and work-study students can only work at one or more of these jobs. Some jobs require a background check.
Step 4: Fill out employment paperwork and tell us who hired you. Once you are hired, go to the IU Southeast Human Resources office to do this unless your employer gives you the needed forms. Pick up your time sheets while you’re there! E-mail us to tell us who your employer is so we can get your authorization done and give you an award increase if you are eligible. Congratulations!
Step 5: Work and get paid! Turn your timesheet in to your supervisor every two weeks and if you signed up for Direct Deposit you’ll get paid that day from your previous time sheet.
It’s that easy. Here’s some more information.
Is this award all that I can get? Once hired students are automatically given a work-study award increase if they are eligible, up to $5000. There’s no need to request it, and no need to ask for more unless you qualify for a budget increase. Awards will never exceed $5000 for the academic year or $2500 for the summer.
When can I work and how many hours? Students with a work-study job generally can begin work about a week before the first day of fall semester and can work until about a week past finals in spring. Exact dates are at the top of the page. Students can work up to 20 hours per week when class is in session and up to 40 during breaks or in special circumstances. No overtime allowed.
Do I have to claim my work-study earnings on my tax return? Yes, and you’ll receive a W-2 in January for your taxes, but when you fill out your FAFSA next year remember to put the amount you earned from this year’s W-2 on Worksheet C so it won’t count as an asset when your financial aid eligibility is calculated.
What about Summer work-study? Federal summer work-study is awarded first to continuing students enrolled in summer classes who already have a work-study job. Employers or students should notify Financial Aid that they want Summer work study as soon as they finish registering for summer classes. IUS has limited work-study funds, so summer work-study employment is not guaranteed.
SSACI STATE SUMMER WORK-STUDY: Some students may be eligible to participate in this program. Eligible students must apply through the state's website at www.ssaci.in.gov. In general, students must have received a state grant in the previous academic year and be planning to attend full-time in the upcoming fall semester. Students who have applied and been accepted into the program do not have to be enrolled in summer classes to receive this award, but can only work at agencies who are listed on the state's website.
For: All students with a work-study award or interest in having work-study
Get information about how to find a work-study job, work-study requirements and scholarship opportunities. Find out how to get a higher work-study award and how to keep the award you already have or get an award if you don't have one.
When: This annual meeting is always held during the 1-day Fresh Fusion event just before the start of fall semester. It is a 1-hour meeting. Students with a work-study award will receive an e-mail notification and new students will be notified by mail with their invitation to Fresh Fusion.
Attendance is taken for scholarship purposes. If you have already attended a work-study orientation attending more than one will not increase your scholarship eligibility but may provide you with valuable information. If you cannot attend, you can help your scholarship chances by completing the on-line training modules (see below).
NEW SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY FOR WORK-STUDY STUDENTS!
Students who are hired into work-study positions have an opportunity to qualify for the Student Employment Excellence Award (SEE Award) through excellent job performance and participation in other work-study activities. Students who attend Work Study Orientation and/or complete on-line training (information below) in addition to receiving an excellent evaluation at the end of the year will be given additional consideration when qualifying for the scholarship. In addition to receiving an excellent evaluation from their employer, students must also request work-study on their FAFSA for the upcoming year, attend fall semester and plan to participate in the work-study program. Scholarship recipients from the current year will be notified during the upcoming summer and presented with their certificates during Week of Welcome next fall.
No special application is required. All students who hold work-study jobs in the current school year will be considered for next year's scholarships. The best way to qualify is to be an excellent, responsible employee and attend or complete the other optional activities. Students who complete on-line training must forward their completion notification emails for each module to lturner@ius.edu for credit. Scholarships are awarded to students who hold both on-campus and off-campus positions. Students entering their 2nd, 3rd, 4th or graduate years at IUS who held a work-study job in the previous year are eligible for consideration. Scholarships generally range from $100 to $500 per student and are non-renewable fall semester awards. This scholarship opportunity will continue as long as funds are available, though actual award amounts may fluctuate.
Graduating? Please notify the Work Study Coordinator at lturner@ius.edu. If you received an excellent evaluation for your work-study position you will receive a certificate of recognition and a letter of recommendation that you can list on your resume.
NEW TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENT EMPLOYEES
Work-study students have two opportunities for work-study training and information:
1. Work-Study Orientation: an information session is held each year just before fall semester begins, during the Fresh Fusion event. Continuing students with a work-study award are notified and invited to attend as well as new students with an interest in work-study. Attendance will be taken for scholarship purposes. No other orientation is offiered during the year.
2. ON-LINE TRAINING: an opportunity to improve work skills through a free on-line training series offered through USA Funds. Students who complete any or all of the six modules may forward their completion notification emails to their supervisor and to lturner@ius.edu for scholarship purposes. The following modules are offered:
- 001 Workplace Time-Management Skills 0607 Academic Year (30 minutes)
- 002 Dealing with Difficult Situations 0607 Academic Year (30 minutes)
- 003 FERPA and Confidentiality 0607 Academic Year (45 minutes)
- 004 Effective Communication Skills 0607 Academic Year (30 minutes)
- 005 E-mail and Telephone Etiquette 0607 Academic Year (30 minutes)
- 006 Business Etiquette and Office Culture 0607 Academic Year (30 minutes)
To begin training, go to http://usafunds.elogiclearning.com and follow the link under "First-Time Users" to register. Enter 00181700 for the School Code. Be sure and note your user ID and password for future sessions. Select the "Student-Employee" category and follow the links to begin training
Having trouble registering? Try again from one of the student computers in any of the labs or public areas on campus, or from home. If your computer has the Mozilla Firefox browser software you can use this instead of Microsoft Internet Explorer to reach this site also. If you still have trouble please notify us.
GENERAL WORK-STUDY INFORMATION
Why Work Study?
-
Jobs are flexible and employers work with your school schedule, so if you have a big test coming up, you don't have to worry about losing your job if you call in and need a day off.
- It's a regular job. You turn in a time sheet and get a paycheck every two weeks that you can use for your regular life expenses.
- You get work experience and build a resume and job references you will need when seeking regular employment.
- You don't have to count your income on your FAFSA the following year, so it won't reduce any aid you qualify for in the future.
- You keep your student loan debt down by working instead of borrowing.
- Studies show that students in the work-study program are more likely to finish their degree than students who are not involved on campus or in the community in any way.
- You get a chance to provide a valuable service to the university or the community, and you get PAID for it!
I want a Work-Study job. What do I do?
- Check with Financial Aid to see if you qualify for a work-study award. The best time to do this is at or before the beginning of the semester, before you commit to taking out a student loan. Each campus has a limited amount of Work-Study funds to award. For this reason, please DON'T ask for work study if you aren't going to use it, and if you find later you can't use it, let us know so we can award those funds to another student.
IF YOU CAN BE AWARDED WORK-STUDY:
- FIND A JOB!! Go to Career Services (University Center South Hallway) or visit the Career Services website to view available work-study positions. Decide what position(s) you want to apply for, and Career Services can advise you on how to apply. Remember, this is a regular job. You have to apply for it, you may not get it, and if you treat the job irresponsibly you can be fired from it. Remember, only Indiana University Southeast OR approved non-profit agencies can hire you as a work-study employee. This is because the federal government helps pay part of your wages and we need to keep very careful records. TIP: Take your Driver's license and Social Security card with you to the interview. If hired you'll need these to complete the paperwork.
- Somebody wants to hire me. Now what? Great! BEFORE you begin working, Call or email Financial Aid. They will prepare your authorization form and fax it to your employer for approval. If you are working for an off-campus agency you must go to IUS Human Resources to complete the required employment paperwork and pick up your time sheets. On-campus students usually fill these forms out in their department. No student can begin earning wages on their work-study position until the authorization form has been signed by their employer and returned to Financial Aid, AND all other required employment forms have been completed. If a background check is required you cannot work until your employer has been notified that your background check is clear. In any work-study position, you are actually paid by and technically work for Indiana University Southeast. The IUS Human Resources department receives and processes your time sheets and issues your checks or payroll receipts. They will instruct you on how to fill out and turn in your time sheets for payment, and we'll get you set up in the computer system so you can get paid. Again, until all of this is completed, you are not authorized to begin work. Most of the time we can get this done very quickly.
I have a work-study job. Now what?
- Time to get to work! Work out your schedule with your employer and be responsible about your commitment. Make sure you know who to call if you have a conflict and keep their number with you. Remember - calling ahead to ask permission for a study or sick day is always better than calling afterward to apologize for not showing up. Remember that this position is a privilege, not an entitlement. You CAN be fired! Some day you will need a good work reference, and this can be a great start for your resume.
- Getting paid: Fill out your time sheet accurately at the end of every shift. At the end of the pay period you are responsible for signing your time sheet and turning it in to your supervisor. Students working for outside agencies must bring their time sheet, signed by their supervisor, to the IUS Human Resources office in order to be paid on time. Blank time sheets are available at IUS Human Resources (US002).
- Track your earnings! It is your responsibility to keep track of your earnings. It is against federal regulations for you to be paid more than your work-study award. If you are nearing your limit and are worried you won't have enough, call Financial Aid to inquire about increasing your award amount.
Summer work-study is awarded first to eligible, currently working work-study students continuing to attend IUS in the Summer. Students must identify themselves by the priority date of May 1 to receive an award. Any additional funds will be award to eligible students in order of their request. To request Summer work-study e-mail the Work-Study Coordinator at lturner@ius.edu.
STATE SUMMER WORK STUDY PROGRAM
Indiana's State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana (SSACI) has a summer work-study program for students who qualify. Students must be Indiana residents who have received and used either a Higher Education or 21st Century grant in the previous academic year and be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student in the upcoming academic year, working on their first degree. Students must apply to be included in the program. To apply, visit www.ssaci.in.gov and follow the links to register. Students may work for any of the eligible employers listed on the website, may work up to full-time, and do not have to attend summer classes to participate. This program is separate from the Federal Work Study program.
