What is Work-Study?

Work-study is a financial aid award that provides the opportunity to work and earn a portion of the funds needed to cover your educational or living expenses. You may apply for a special class of jobs open only to those with a work-study award. However, it is your responsibility to match your work-study award with a Department who has funding available to hire you. Also, it is important to note, your award amount is not a guaranteed earnings award – it is dependent on you working. Work-study jobs are on campus, with the exception of a few non-profit community agencies. Work-study, like any other financial aid, is an option rather than a requirement--you do not have to pursue employment, employment is not guaranteed, and there is no penalty for declining this part of your award package. You may hold more than one work-study and/or non-work-study position on campus.

The work-study monies are given to students in the form of a pay check every two weeks. The amount on each pay check will depend on the wage offered to you by your employer and the number of hours you have worked. Each job has different work schedules and responsibilities, but they are all designed for students who need time to take classes. Working 13-15 hours per week is the recommended schedule for balancing work and academic responsibilities.

STUDENT EMPLOYMENT AND JOB SEARCH: You may review both work-study and non work-study job listings on BroncoJobs. You may request a user I.D. and password online at http://career.boisestate.edu. Career Center staff may be reached by phone at (208) 426-1747, e-mail career@boisestate.edu, or in person at 1173 University Drive in the Alumni Center. Departments are not required to advertise openings on the Career Center website so you may also contact departments directly to inquire about potential employment.

ELIGIBILITY: To receive a work-study award, you should have answered ‘Yes’ to the work-study question on the FAFSA and have applied so that your FAFSA was submitted by the March 15th prior to the academic year. If you did not receive work-study but would still like an award, contact the Financial Aid Office to see if you might still qualify. You must be enrolled at least half-time at Boise State. Employment prior to the beginning of a term requires being registered for the next term, or new students must have a current admission status for the next term. If you decide you do not need all or part of your award, you might be able to delete that funding and obtain a loan instead – speak with a Financial Aid Office representative for details.

TYPES OF WORK-STUDY: Your work-study award may be funded from federal, state, or Boise State University funds. For those students who receive public assistance benefits, federal work-study aid is the only work-study aid that is exempted from the public assistance calculation. If you are receiving public assistance benefits and need to have your work-study award switched to the federal program, contact the Financial Aid Office before you begin working. The switch cannot be accommodated after you have started working.

PAYROLL INFORMATION: You are eligible to earn up to the amount on your Award Notification and may begin using your next academic year award in the first pay period starting on or after July 1. You should expect a two-week delay between the date of your timesheet and the date your earnings are available to you. Work-study earnings are taxable income. Work-study employees are required to complete direct deposit information on BroncoWeb so earnings may go directly to your bank account.