Understanding Work-Study

Managing work-study requires a bridge between the institution's payroll department and the financial aid office to provide an overall view of student employment. Students who are classified as employees are identified and accessed in the institution's payroll department to track compensated wages. Wages may come from various forms of employment such as academic, staff, or work-study. When each type of compensation is identified, the information is updated and can be viewed within Financial Aid. This allows the institution to report and monitor student earnings to ensure that total earnings do not exceed the work-study award.

Work-study is an important part of a financial aid package for students. The federal work-study program provides jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, enabling them to earn money to pay educational expenses. Students receive work-study awards from participating institutions after filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine their financial need. Students can be employed by the institution; by a federal, state, or local public agency; by private nonprofit organizations; or by private organizations. The program encourages community service work and work related to the student's course of study.

The minimum requirement to access a work-study placement record is an accepted work-study award. The hiring department then records the student's placement on the Work-Study Placement page. After placement, you can review the placement records of students who are active as employees.

See also Campus Solutions to Human Capital Management Integration documentation (Doc ID 1553319.1).