Work-Study

Work-Study

What is Work-Study?

Work-study is an employment program that provides paid jobs for students who need to work to earn a portion of their education expenses. Work-study funds come from the state and federal government depending on which award you receive.

Priority work-study funds are allocated first to students that earned work-study in the prior academic year.

Summer work-study is awarded in mid April. A WKSUM form must be turned in to the Office of Financial Aid to be eligible.

Need-Based Federal and Colorado Work-Study:

Federal Work-Study (FWS) and Colorado Work-Study (CWS) funds are different from grants or loans. Students earn Work-Study funds by working at an approved Work-Study job. Work-Study funds come from the state and federal government
depending on which award you receive. The amount of the award is typically $5,000 for the academic year, or $2,500 per semester, and is based on each student’s eligibility. Since this money must be earned through employment, it will be disbursed to each student bi-weekly (every other week), depending upon the number of hours worked and the pay rate.

Federal Need Based Work-Study Criteria:

1. You must have completed a FAFSA for the academic year;
2. Your financial aid file must be complete for the academic year;
3. You must remain enrolled in at least 6 credits;
4. You cannot be on financial aid suspension;
5. You must have an unmet need of at least $3,000 for the academic year;
6. You must turn in a work-study form confirming your employment;

Colorado Need-Based Work-Study:

1. You must have completed a FAFSA for the academic year;
2. Your financial aid file must be complete for the academic year;
3. You must remain enrolled in at least 6 credits;
4. You cannot be on financial aid suspension;
5. You must have an unmet need of at least $3,000 for the academic year;
6. You must turn in a work-study form confirming your employment;
7. You must be a Colorado resident;
8. You cannot have a previous bachelor’s degree; Colorado Need-Based Work-Study cannot be used for off campus employment

Colorado No-Need Work-Study:

1. You do not have to fill out a FAFSA.
2. If you do complete a FAFSA, your financial aid file must be complete for the academic year;
3. You must remain enrolled in at least 6 credits;
4. You cannot be on financial aid suspension
5. You must not have any need-based aid;
6. You must turn in a work-study form confirming your employment
7. You must be a Colorado resident;
8. You cannot have a previous bachelor’s degree;
   
   Colorado No-Need-Work-Study cannot be used for off campus employment. PLEASE NOTE: If you are awarded work-study, you may not begin your employment until the work-study form confirming your employment is turned into the OFA and all paperwork is submitted and approved in the Human Resources Office.

Things You Should Know About Work-Study

• Jobs are posted under Employment on our website at www.msudenver.edu/hr/.

• As a new Work-Study student, you will be required to provide the Office of Human Resources with proof that you are eligible to work in the United States. Please have a photo ID and a Social Security card, birth certificate or U.S. passport when you fill out your new-hire paperwork. If you are a non-citizen, you must have a Social Security card, an I-20 and your student visa to fill out the paperwork. The Office of Human Resources is located in Suite 310 of the Student Success Building.

• If you have not begun a job by the third week of the academic term, your Work-Study award will be canceled.

• You cannot earn Work-Study if you are on financial aid suspension.

• You cannot earn Work-Study if you drop below six credit hours.

• Monitor your earnings. This is your responsibility. If you earn more than your award each semester, the department you work for will be billed for the overpayment.

• If you are not awarded Work-Study and wish to be considered for this award, you should contact the Office of Financial Aid.

How Much Can I Earn?

The average award for an academic year is $5,000 (this may vary depending on funding). This is based on your available unmet need. The hourly pay ranges from $7.64 to $12.00 per hour

How Do I Find a Work-Study Job?

Click for MSU Denver Work Study Job Listings

Cancellation or Reduction of Work-Study

Work-Study funds will be canceled if the following occurs:

• A student does not earn work-study money after three payrolls for the semester;

• A student drops below 6 credit hours (Any hours earned during the payroll will be charged to the department)

• A student’s satisfactory academic progress appeal is denied.

Work-Study funds will be reduced if the following occurs:

• A student receives a scholarship or outside sponsorship award.
  (If a reduction occurs during a payroll and the student over earns, the department will be charged the additional earnings).

Work-Study Supervisors

Please see the Human Resources Website for policies and procedures regarding work-study employment.