How do I get a work-study award?
Awards are initially assigned at the end of spring, for the upcoming aid year, for continuing students who have met the priority deadline and all eligibility requirements. After the initial awards are made, we assign them manually from a waitlist. Funding is limited, so awards are not guaranteed for all students.
For students who did not receive an initial award: Submit a waitlist request
I’ve been offered a work-study award. Now what?
Congratulations! The first step to receiving your work-study award is accepting it in your Student Center. We recommend accepting your award if you intend on using it, even if you don’t have a job yet. This lets us know that you are still interested. Work-study is optional, not a requirement. You don’t have to pursue employment, employment is not guaranteed, and there is no penalty for declining this part of your award package.
- We may cancel your award after 30 days, if you have not accepted it, so other students can be awarded from the waitlist.
- If you do not intend on using your work-study award, you can decline it. This will help free up funds for another student on the waitlist to be awarded.
- Declining your work-study award could make you eligible for more loans. Likewise, canceling subsidized loans may make you eligible for more work-study funds. Contact us to discuss your options.
How do I find a job?
If you do not already have a job lined up, you can find a job and apply through Handshake. While many jobs are eligible for work-study, not all meet federal requirements. Be sure to look for postings indicating a work-study position. Once hired, you work to earn a paycheck every two weeks.
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- Career Services can assist you with the job search process including using Handshake, resume and cover letter assistance, and tips for improving your interviewing skills.
What if I am already working as a student employee? Can my current position count toward work-study?
Possibly. If you are already working and receive a work-study award, you can ask your supervisor if your position is work-study eligible. If they determine that it is, they will need to hire you into another work-study specific job assignment so funding can come from us. You will then submit hours under the newly created job assignment number on your timesheet.
- We recommend not to terminate regular student employee job assignments until all work ends. This allows you to submit any potential hours outside of work-study regulations with ease.
How do I get my Work-Study funding?
You’ll receive funding once you start working and earn bi-weekly paychecks. The award amount offered to you represents the maximum amount you are eligible to earn in a work-study position.
- Enter, Save or Submit Your Time Card (pay close attention to steps 6 & 7 for selecting the correct work-study job assignment, which attaches accurate funding and time reporting codes)
- Work-study funding does not disburse to your student account to pay your fees. Instead, you will receive a paycheck from Boise State according to our payroll calendar.
- You may earn wages up to the amount offered in work-study funding. Once your total paycheck earnings reach your award limit, you must discontinue working and submitting hours under your work-study job assignment. Your employer may choose to pay your wages from a different funding source through a separate, regular student employee job assignment.
- Paycheck amounts vary based on the wage offered by your employer and number of hours you work. How much you earn overall is determined by your total paycheck earnings throughout the aid year.
- Unused funds cannot be carried over to the next academic year.
When can I work?
- All work can be performed at any time between July 1 and the end of the fiscal year (usually the second week of June), for the academic year in which you were awarded.
- You must be rehired, with a new job assignment, each year so earnings are correctly assigned to your aid year award.
- You may work at any time within a semester as long as you are enrolled at least half-time.
- You may work up to 20 hours per week with your work-study job assignment.
- During summer and winter breaks, you may work up to 20 hours per week as long as you are enrolled at least half-time for the upcoming semester.Â
- The majority of work-study assignments will end on the last day of classes for Fall or Spring term, depending on each student’s enrollment.