Work Study

Work Study

Work Study is a great opportunity to learn team work, develop new skills, and hone the skills a student already possesses while earning an income.

Students receive pay directly. This form of financial aid is disbursed in the same manner a standard paycheck would; directly to the student, rather than applying towards tuition and fees. Eligibility to participate in Work Study, however, is directly dependent on eligibility to receive financial aid. 

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Eligibility

Who is eligible?

Work study is a financial aid program and we determine eligibility for funding based on information provided on FAFSA or WASFA applications.  Please note that you may still be eligible for work study, even if you have a prior degree.

To qualify initially, a student must:

  • complete a FAFSA or WASFA application and be eligible for aid

  • have sufficient unmet need

  • meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements

  • enroll in an aid-eligible program

  • enroll in a minimum of 6 aid-eligible credits each quarter*

  • be eligible to work in Washington State

All students who apply will be screened to determine if they met the minimum qualifications for open positions. If a student meets the criteria, their application will be forwarded to the appropriate department and an interview may be scheduled by the supervisor. 

Students who are selected for employment will then complete additional hiring documents and will begin working once he/she has been notified that we have received, reviewed and approved all additional required documents.  New employees may only start on either the 1st or the 16th of each month; please keep this in mind.  

*Enrollment for summer quarter employment must be either six or more credits during summer quarter or no summer enrollment but six or more credits for fall quarter. 

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Wages & Hours

As of July 1, 2024, all work study positions earn at least $17.80 and hour with some positions being paid more.  See each job postings for specific hourly wage.

The number of hours a student may work depends on a variety of factors (including the number of hours that will fit into a student's financial aid package, the number of hours an employer's requests, etc.). Most students participating in work study work between 10 and 15 hours each week, with an in session maximum of 17.  Some positions have need for employees during winter/spring/summer breaks. 

Students may not work during regularly scheduled class hours.

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How to Apply

  1. Complete and return the application for work study to the Student Financial Resources office.  The application can be found below, on this page, but is also available in paper form in our office. Please include the name of each position for which you would like to be considered.
  2. Once the application has been received, our office will review it for completeness and eligibility. 
  3. If the student is eligible, the application will be forwarded on to supervisors. The supervisor will review the qualifications, may schedule interviews and will ultimately select the candidate for the position, or notify them of inability to hire.
  4. When selected for a position, the student will then complete additional hiring paperwork (I-9, W-4, Electronic Funds Transfer forms, etc.) and participate in an on-boarding process before being informed the student is ready to begin working. 
  5. Students may continue to review open positions throughout the academic year. The student should notify our office if the student wishes to have a previously submitted application considered for new positions.
  6. Please review eligibility and timeline information for additional details.
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Timeline for Process

Hiring students is like hiring any other employee; it requires specific steps be taken before the student employee can begin work.  How quickly each of these steps can be completed impacts how soon a student can start. 

Generally speaking, students and supervisors should expect the process to take about two weeks, start to finish, with employees beginning on either the 1st or the 16th of each month.

 

  • The supervisor creates a job description to indicate a Work Study employee is needed, and submits that form to our office. 
  • Staff in Student Financial Resources reviews and posts the job description to the Work Study website for a minimum of two weeks.
  • Students submit their applications on an on-going basis for positions in which they are interested and meet the minimum qualifications.
  • Student Financial Resources staff review applications and verify a students eligibility (minimum qualifications, credit enrollment, SAP status, room within budget, etc.).
  • Our staff submits eligible applications to the position supervisor.
  • Position supervisor reviews applications and contacts applicants directly.  Interviews may be conducted.  The supervisor determines if they wish to proceed with hiring, and may discuss hours and weekly schedule with the student.  If an applicant is not chosen for a position, the supervisor notifies the applicant.  Supervisors notify Student Financial Resources staff whether the intent is to hire or not.  
  • If applicant is to be hired, our staff will contact student and provide them with hiring documentation (I-9, W4, Referral, etc.).
  • The prospective employee reviews and completes hiring documentation, and schedules an On-Boarding meeting with Student Financial Resources staff. 
  • Upon completion of On-Boarding process, our staff connects with Human Resources who creates a new employee file. Our staff also connects the position supervisor with our Computer Services Department to establish network access and orientation for the prospective employee. 
  • Student and supervisor receive emails from Student Financial Resources and Human Resources indicating the student employees hiring information (start and end dates, rates of pay, position title, etc.). 
  • This completes the hiring process.
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Tips

  1. There are often more students interested in participating in work study than positions available.  Highlight skills that are appropriate and relevant to the position desired.

  2. Positions become available throughout the year, check this page often for new posts

  3. Please ensure that voicemail has been set up and is checked routinely.

  4. Check email routinely (school as well as personal, and spam folders for both).  Email is the primary method of communication from the College.

  5. Visit our Career Center for additional information about improving job searching skills, including interview tips, and resume critiques.

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Hours & Contacts

Regular Hours

Mon to Thu: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fri: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

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