What is Federal Work-Study?
Federal Work-Study is a federal program designed to help students who have financial need with the costs of education.
How do I get it?
Request work-study on your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). In order to be considered for federal aid, the FAFSA must be completed each year and is available at www.fafsa.ed.gov beginning each January 2nd before the upcoming school year. The priority deadline date for completion of the FAFSA is March 1. Requesting work-study on the FAFSA does not guarantee you will receive the award, as it is available on a first-come first served basis. However, if you are not awarded, you may submit a written request to the Financial Aid Office. Funding is limited and varies from year to year.
How is eligibility determined?
Students must have financial need as determined by information submitted on the FAFSA, be attending UMKC at least half-time (6 credit hours for undergraduate students, 5 credit hours for graduate students), be making Satisfactory Academic Progress, and have requested work-study for either the academic year or the summer period. If offered work-study, the award must be accepted by the student using the Pathway system. If the award is not accepted, it may be removed and given to another student.
How do I get the money?
Jobs offered exclusively to work-study students are posted on CareerExec. Students review the jobs and directly contact the supervisor listed on the job of interest. Applications and interviews are completed as with normal employment. Once a job is obtained and new payroll paperwork is completed, students work and receive a paycheck (direct deposit) every two weeks. Awards are generally $4400 for the academic year and $3600 for the summer. Students are not guaranteed to earn the full amount of their award and unused portions do not roll over into the next enrollment period. Responsibilities and expectations are the same as with any job in that students are expected to dress appropriately for the job, exhibit professionalism, etc. An award must be in place for each period a student works. Having a work-study award does not guarantee a job and a student can work only one work-study job at a time.
How many hours a week do I work?
Generally, you may work 15-20 hours per week. However, there are periods between breaks and semesters during which more hours may be worked, but may never exceed 39 hours per week for all UMKC jobs combined, work-study or otherwise. Discuss the breakdown of hours with your supervisor since the award amount will have to be budgeted throughout the period of employment so the award is not exceeded.
When can I start working?
Students with an academic year (fall/winter) award who start classes in the fall may begin working the first day of classes and stop working the last day of classes. Students who have a summer award may start working the first day of summer classes and stop the last day of summer classes. Students who have an academic year award and a summer award may continue working through the break provided the academic year award is not exceeded. Students who have a summer award and an academic year award may continue working through the break provided the summer award is not exceeded.
Is my major a factor in getting a work-study job?
Some students seek and are able to obtain a work-study job in an area related to their major. However, many of the jobs are administrative in nature and while they provide valuable job skills, may not necessarily be in the major of choice.
What if I do not earn the full amount of my award?
Earning the full amount of the award is not guaranteed. In some cases, unused portions of the award may create loan eligibility in the form of unused Stafford Loan money or through alternative loan money.
What if I cannot find a job?
Contact the Career Services Office. They can assist you with your job search. If you are unable to find a work-study job, you may want to look at the variety of non work-study jobs also posted on CareerExec.
What kind of work-study jobs are available?
There are a variety of on and off-campus jobs generally available such as work in labs, offices, and in the community. Some community service jobs involve tutoring in which UMKC students tutor pre-school children in math, reading and social skills.
Can I get benefits?
Work-Study jobs are not benefits eligible.
Can I study at my job?
No. This is considered a job like any other. However, there may be slow periods during which time you may study if given the permission of your supervisor. Work-Study students must abide by all departmental regulations regarding work assignments.
Where do I get a time sheet?
What is the pay schedule?
The pay schedule is located here.
Where can I find more information?
Jobs for each semester are posted for students to view a couple of weeks before the beginning of
Summer and Fall semesters. You may access the Work-Study job database via your home computer or any UMKC computer
lab.
ATTENTION: If you are returning to the same position you had during Spring semester, you must have
an offer of employment from your department and you must have been offered, and accepted on Pathway, a separate
Work-Study award for Summer in order to work. For important work-study dates and other information,
please view the Work-Study Handbook.
Applying for a Work-Study Position
- Visit the CareerExec Job Database
- If you do already have an account, login using the email address and password you used to create your account. Be sure to click the option labelled Student before clicking Login.
- If you do not have an account, click on Create a Job Seeker Account button, and create your account. Your chosen password should be at least 6 characters and must be alphanumeric.
- NOTE: Remember your email/password as you will need it to access jobs on this job database in the future. If you forget your password, click on the "Forgot your Password" link located beneath the log in.
- Once you have logged into your CareerExec account click on the Job Search link.
- At the top of this page is a line of text reading "Looking for work study jobs? You can find them here." Click on this link for Work-Study job listings.
- You will be prompted for a Student ID. This is your 8 digit Pathway Student ID, not your social security number.
- View Work-Study Job Listings.
- Select the positions that you wish to apply for and contact the supervisors directly to set up an interview. Supervisors will not be viewing resumes posted on the website.
- Supervisors can visit the Work-Study Administrative Site to confirm work-study eligibility. Interview with supervisors until you accept a job.
* If you are unable to complete any of the steps in selecting a Work-Study position, please contact the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office at (816) 235-1154.
What to do when you are hired
After you are hired you must take your Social Security Card (required) and one of the following documents to your supervisor:
- U.S. Passport
- Alien Registration Receipt Card
- Certificate of Citizenship
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Unexpired Employment Authorization Card
- Driver License
- ID Card from Federal, State or Local Agency
- School ID Card with Photo
- Voter Registration Card
- U.S. Military Card
- Native American Tribal Document
In addition to the items listed above, you must bring with you a voided check (not a deposit slip) or letter from
your bank verifying your bank routing number and account number. This is required for direct deposit of your
paycheck. Your supervisor will provide you with all necessary hiring paperwork, which must be completed prior to beginning work.
Summer 2009 Work-Study Quick Guide
DL Stafford Prom Note
