Work Study

College work-study is part-time employment on campus while taking classes. Students are usually limited to working 15–20 hours per week during the regular school year (fall and winter semesters) and 28 hours per week during approved vacation periods and the spring or summer sessions, provided that funds are available. Generally, students earn minimum wage for the hours they work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still take classes while I work?

You must take classes each semester that you work on campus. You must take a minimum of six credits each in the fall and winter semesters, and six credits during the spring/summer semesters.

Is there a minimum age to work on campus?

You must be 18 years or older in order to work on campus.

How do I apply for Work-Study?

When you complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the coming year, indicate that you would like to receive work-study. Not everyone that requests work-study will receive it, as it is based on need and the College has a limited dollar amount to distribute.

If you receive your award letter and work-study is awarded for a semester(s) then you can proceed to the next step of looking for an actual Work-Study position on campus.

How can I view available Work-Study jobs?

Work-study positions are posted alongside off-campus positions in Handshake. Only students who are eligible for work-study will be able to apply for these positions. All on campus work-study positions will have HFC Career Services listed as the Employer. If you see one that interests you, see below for instructions to apply.

I’ve been awarded Work-Study Funding. How can I apply for a Work-Study job?

You must have work-study funding in order to apply for a work-study position. If you are uncertain, log into HFC Self-Service, and view your financial aid award letter to confirm that you received work-study funding and the exact dollar amount awarded for the semester in which you are applying. You will need the dollar amount when you fill out your application.

Some positions require a specific knowledge or skill set, and when no qualified applicants with work-study funding are identified, the position is opened up to other students. All applicants must still be enrolled with a minimum of six credits per semester. Spring/summer semesters can be combined for six credits.

Instructions for applying to a work-study job:

  1. Log in to Handshake, and locate the Work-Study Application in the bottom right corner of your Student Home Page screen. NOTE: You may see a dialog window and/or banner that requests permission to use the resource. Allow permission.
  2. Add text to “fill in” your On-Campus Work-Study Application.
  3. When you have completed the two-page application, save the application as a document on a flash drive or to your computer.
  4. Upload your saved document to your Documents Tab in Handshake under the On-Campus Work-Study Student Employment Application bubble (similar to uploading a résumé).

Handshake allows you to customize different applications. If you only have one application, this will be the default application used each time you apply for an on-campus position. When you apply to a position, the department that posted the position will receive your application. They will contact you for an interview if they feel you are a good match for the job. Job interviews do not guarantee that you will get the job. You are free to apply for more than one position at a time.