Overview of the Work-Study Program 

The Federal Work-Study Program, provides funding granted by the Federal Government  to aid individuals with financial need in achieving  a college education. Federal Work- Study assists employers by paying a portion of a qualified student's wages with the employer paying the remaining balance.

• Qualifications for the Federal Work-Study Program
  • All on-campus employers are eligible for the Federal Work-Study program. Types of positions an on-campus employer can recruit for under the Federal Work-Study program include:  

    • Federal: all part-time positions that support the internal operations of your department (ie. customer service, administrative, data management, office support) . Splits for 2024-2025 are 65% Work-Study and 35% department funds.

    • Community Service: responsibilities must be primarily supporting and interfacing with the community (beyond UCR community). Splits for 2024-2025 are 75% Work-Study and 25% department funds.

  • Off-campus employers must be a public or private nonprofit organization, submit an agreement, and be approved by the Financial Aid Office. Types of positions an off-campus employer can recruit for under the Federal Work-Study program include: 

    • America Reads:  Reading tutors for K - 6th grade students (ideal for school districts). These positions are 100% funded by Work-Study.

    • America Counts: Math tutors for K – 9th grade students (ideal for school districts). These positions are 100% funded by Work-Study

    • Community Service: responsibilities must be primarily supporting and interfacing with the community. Splits for 2024-2025 are 75% Work-Study and 25% department funds.

    • Federal: all part-time positions that support the internal operations of your department (ie. customer service, administrative, data management, office support) . Splits for 2024-2025 are 65% Work-Study and 35% department funds.

  • If you are an off-campus employer and new to UC Riverside’s Work-Study Program, contact our team to learn more and get started on the agreement process. PLEASE NOTE: Signing of a new agreement is required for all off-campus partners each academic year. 

• Parameters for the Federal Work-Study Program

  • Employers are encouraged to develop Work-Study positions that will provide students with meaningful learning experiences and help meet their educational or career goals, without displacing or replacing regular employees 

  • The Federal Work-Study Program is available from September to June (see Important Dates & Deadlines below).  

  • Students are eligible for the program based on financial need and are permitted to work up to 19 hours per week during school sessions or up to 39 hours per week during any full week when classes are not in session. In the event a student depletes his or her award, the employer may terminate the student employee, or assume 100% of the hourly wage thereafter.