Work-Study Guidelines

Eligibility:

You are a Federal Work-Study (FWS) student if you have been offered, and accepted, a Financial Aid Work-Study Award via GROWL . In order to use your Work-Study funds, you must be enrolled at UCR. If you withdraw for illness, etc. you will no longer qualify for Work-Study.

Search for Jobs:

Work-Study jobs are posted on the SCOTjobs database in SCOTLink . Print out the job description and contact the employer to schedule an interview.

Placement Form:

A FWS Placement Form must be filled out prior to obtaining a Work-Study job. Complete the student section only of the placement form. Please Print from SCOTLink . Once you complete this form, you do not have to fill it out again for the current year, UNLESS you obtain a different job. If you obtain Work-Study next year, a new FWS Placement Form must be completed even if you are returning to the same position.

Interview:

BE PREPARED! Be sure to have a good understanding of the job duties, qualifications, hours and location before your interview.
    Take these to your interview:
  • FWS Placement Form
  • Printed job description
  • Schedule of hours you are available to work
If you are hired for an on-campus job, your employer must submit our placement form and attached job description to the Financial Aid Office .

Off-Campus Jobs:

If you obtain an off-campus Work-Study job, such as at a school, do not work until you have a Letter of Clearance. To obtain a Letter of Clearance, you must make an appointment with the Financial Aid Work- Study unit (827-5429) prior to your start date.
    Take these to your appointment:
  • COMPLETED FWS Placement Form
  • Printed job description
  • Your Social Security Card
  • A Picture ID

Letter of Clearance:

The Letter of Clearance notes to your off-campus employer that you have completed the necessary payroll documents to receive a paycheck. This letter also indicates how many hours you are allowed to work under the program. Write this number down! Any hours you work that exceed your allotted amount will not be paid by the university.

Hours:

Keep in mind, you may work up to the end of the academic year or until the total amount of your FWS award has been earned (see example below). It is your responsibility to keep track of the hours you have worked. You may work no more than an average of 19 hours a week. You must report your hours accurately and submit your time sheets on time. If you purposely give false of misleading information, you may be fined $10,000, sent to prison, or both.

Responsibilities:

Once you have secured a job, use the following employer and Work-Study guidelines to maintain it: report to work promptly when scheduled, dress appropriately, perform your work satisfactorily, and notify your supervisor ASAP when you will be late or unable to work. If you plan to terminate your job, give your employer at least a two-week notice.