Work-Study | Student Financial Services

Using Work-Study to Fund Your Education

Work-study is aid that is earned. There are two types of work-study: federal work-study and state work-study. Federal work-study is need-based and is available to students who are out-of-state or in-state residents. The Office of the Registrar determines which students are in-state or out-of-state. State work-study is not need-based, but the student needs to be considered an in-state resident.

Because there are two programs with different eligibility criteria, we encourage all interested students to submit the Work-Study Request form. Funds for both federal and state work-study are limited, so therefore not all students who are eligible will be awarded. A student awarded work-study will only receive the funding if they secure a position and work the hours.

Work-study positions are available on campus and at pre-approved nonprofit agencies in the community. Employers are flexible in setting work hours to accommodate a student's class schedule. UM policy limits students to working no more than 19 hours per week so that a student's studies are not adversely impacted.

Though work-study funding is taxable income, it is excluded from student wages on the FAFSA in the upcoming year.

Common Questions About Work-Study

  • At UM, federal work-study is offered if there is sufficient unmet need after all other grants and Federal Direct Subsidized Loans are awarded. Funding is limited, so apply early.

    Work-study from the state of 猎奇重口 is not dependent on unmet need, but the student must be considered an in-state resident by the Registrar’s Office to be eligible.

    Student Financial Services initally awards federal work-study upfront until funds are depleted. It is given to undergraduates with a Student Aid Index lower than $16,000. To be considered for work-study, a student must either indicate their interest in GrizPortal or submit the Work-Study Request form.  

    Having work-study on one's award letter is not a guarantee that a student will be able to secure a work-study position. Current work-study students are not assured renewal of their funding so apply early and continue to meet the eligibility requirements.

  • Eligible work-study students must perform a job search and be hired by a department or agency to receive funding. It is best to begin this search just prior to the start of the autumn semester or during the first couple of weeks of classes.

     lists work-study and non work-study employment opportunities. UM’s offers a Student Employment and Experiential Learning Fair early each fall semester at which you can meet hiring departments and learn about available opportunities.

    Though the majority of positions are filled at the start of the school year, some positions remain open well into the autumn semester. Further, there is often mid-year turnover, so students interested in working should be able to secure employment.

  • Once a student has accepted a position offered by a department or agency, they must submit the Work-Study Request form to Student Financial Services. If a student has not been recently employed by UM, they will also have to submit employment paperwork required by Human Resources Services (e.g. W-4 form and I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form). A student cannot begin working until all required paperwork is processed.

    As each payroll period is completed, a student's earnings will be reflected in the paid amount of the work-study award visible in GrizPortal. Students can continue to work even if they have exceeded the amount allotted for the given term as long as they have not exceeded their total award amount for the year.

    If a student reaches the annual award amount, they must stop working unless the employer is willing to hire them as a non-work-study student. It is recommended that students work with their employers to budget their time to ensure continuous employment throughout the school year.

  • Work-study is not disbursed intoa student's account like other financial aid. Rather, it is paid in the form of a paycheck, issued twice a month, with the amount paid depending on the rate of pay and number of hours worked. Because of this, work-study is not available to be used as a pending credit on the registration bill.

    Students can sign up for direct deposit online through GrizPortal. If a student opts not to have the funds electronically deposited, then paychecks are generally made available on the 1st and 15th of every month. There is approximately a two-week lag from the end of the pay period to when a student gets paid.

  • Students taking classes in the summer may be eligible for part-time work-study. To be eligible they must complete the current year's FAFSA and submit the Summer Financial Aid Application. The application is made available when summer registration begins.

    Students who are not taking classes in the summer but will be attending classes in the upcoming autumn may qualify for full-time work-study. To be eligible they must complete the upcoming year's FAFSA, enroll in at least half-time for the upcoming autumn, complete any outstanding financial aid requirements such as but not limited to verification requirements. and submit the Work-Study Request form.

  • Students who are not awarded work-study, or have been awarded work-study but are not able to find a job to their liking, may be able to secure non-work-study employment.

     lists work-study and non work-study employment opportunities. UM’s offers a Student Employment and Experiential Learning Fair early each fall semester at which you can meet hiring departments and learn about available opportunities.