What is Work-Study?
The College Work-Study programs administer federal or state subsidized student grants to colleges for post-secondary students in financial need. The United States Department of Education and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board monitor these programs.
Approximately 3,400 schools participate in these programs, and these approved colleges receive yearly appropriated funds to create campus jobs for students. Prairie View A&M University participates in the Federal (FWS) and State work-study programs (TWS).
To become eligible for work-study, you must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility.
PVAMU awards work-study as part of the financial aid package based on available funding and financial need. Financial need is the difference between the Cost of Attendance (COA) set by the school and your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) determined by the FAFSA.
The programs are designed to provide students with an opportunity for employment arranged around class schedules. Students must be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible for this program.
If awarded work-study, students find work-study positions through job postings by the Student Employment Office. In most cases, they will have the opportunity to interview with potential work-study employers. During the hiring process, the potential employer will consider the class schedule, academic progress, total award, and the needs of the department. In the end, whether or not they are hired is up to the employer. However, if the student does not secure a position within 30 days of the first class day of the awarded term, the award will be canceled.
Work-Study wages can’t be lower than the current federal minimum wage. FWS guidelines state that a work-study student isn’t allowed to work more than 20 hours a week when school is in session.
The awarded work-study amount (allocation) indicates the amount per semester the student may earn. Work-study students are not allowed to exceed the allocated funds for the semester. Therefore, to ensure adequate award balance, a work-study balance sheet is completed every pay period. The student and supervisor set the schedule and work hours. The student must cease to work when the allocated amount is exhausted.
Students receive an hourly wage set by their hiring supervisor. They receive their earnings via a biweekly paycheck; these earnings are paid directly to the student and not deducted from the University invoice or bill.
Work-study availability varies by semester if a student was not offered an award and wishes to request work-study, they must submit an online work-study request each semester and renew your FAFSA each academic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
You must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility. Please note, be sure to mark “yes” to the question on the FAFSA that asks if you are interested in being considered for work-study.
Work-study is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, to students with need as determined by the FAFSA and fund availability.
Please note, work-study funding is limited, so it is important to accept awards in a timely manner to avoid cancellation. Students who have accepted their work-study awards must secure employment within 30 days of award. If no payroll earnings are confirmed to utilize the work-study award, the funds will be cancelled and/or re-allocated.
Students are eligible to apply for work-study jobs if, and only if, they have been awarded work-study as part of their financial aid package.
Various departments post openings before and during semesters. Available positions, interview and contact information are listed online. Visit the Careers @ PVAMU webpage and search for a Work-study position.
You must have an active Universal Identification Number (UIN) for your position to be considered acquired.
Please note, your hiring packet and process must be complete to activate your UIN. Your UIN must be active as indicated in Timetraq and earnings must be indicated on payroll to maintain award eligibility per semester.
You and your supervisor are responsible for monitoring your earnings.
You and your supervisor set your schedule, rate of pay and work hours. Your awarded work-study amount (allocation) indicates the amount per term you may earn during the semester. Work-study students are not allowed to exceed their allocated funds for the semester. Therefore, to ensure your balance, you must monitor your earnings by completing a work-study balance sheet every pay period and submitting it to your supervisor. Your supervisor must verify your earnings and ensure that you do not exceed your allocation. If you exceed your work-study allocation, the hiring department is responsible for any overages that are incurred.
You are responsible for paying all tuition, fees, housing, etc. that you incur separately.
Please remember, work-study eligibility varies by semester, if you wish to participate in work-study, you must reapply and renew your FAFSA each academic year.