Work-Study Program

Federal Work-Study Program

The Federal Work-Study Program is a student aid program that provides part-time employment opportunities for currently enrolled students. If eligible, the student must seek out and apply for work-study jobs, on or off campus, to receive their awarded funding. Students earn at least the current federal minimum wage or more depending on their employer.

The student's total work-study award depends on their level of financial need, and the availability of funds for each award year. Please review the eligibility requirements to determine if you qualify.

Eligibility

For the 2025-2026 academic year, new students must have a Student Aid Index (SAI) of 4,000 or less (based on their FAFSA) to be considered for the program. Continuing students must have an SAI of 6,655 or less and paid work-study earnings to qualify. New and continuing students must also meet the following requirements:

At least half-time enrollment
California resident classification
Maintain satisfactory academic progress
Demonstrate financial need
Eligibility to work in the United States

Process

Step #1: Determining Your Eligibility: Review your financial aid offer to see if you were awarded Work-Study. If you are not currently Work-Study eligible but have a qualifying SAI and meet the eligibility criteria, contact our office to review your eligibility at finaid@ucr.edu.

Step #2: Finding a Work-Study Position : Work-Study positions will only be posted on Handshake. Be sure to check regularly for any openings. They will be labeled Work-Study and are only visible to students who have accepted their award on R’Web. Apply for the position as you normally would any job opportunity.

Getting Hired

Once you have been offered a Work-Study position by an employer, fill out the Work-Study New Hire Form and continue the onboarding process by completing any necessary paperwork and/or appointments. 

Accessing Work-study Jobs on Handshake

Accessing Work-Study Jobs on Handshake: 
To view work-study positions on Handshake, you will have needed to accept your award first on R’Web.   Within 48 hours, you should be able to access Work-Study jobs through the following instructions:  
- Go to Jobs, click on Filters, and select Work-Study, and Show Results. (Work-Study positions are only viewable on Handshake to Work-Study eligible students). 
Here you will find opportunities for both on-campus and off-campus Work-Study approved sites.  Positions will continue to be posted throughout the year. If you are not seeing what you are looking for, be sure to visit often for updated positions. 

PLEASE NOTE: If you are being rehired for an on-campus Work-Study position, the department will need to post this position on Handshake as a RESERVED position. This position will not be viewable on Handshake. Please refer these questions to careercenter@ucr.edu for questions related to this process. 
If you are invited for an interview: 

Be sure to download your 2025-2026 Federal Work-Study Eligibility Notification form at https://wswf.ucr.edu/ prior to your interview, and share this form with the employer.

Important Dates & Deadlines 

Federal Work-Study Program Dates & Deadlines

2025 – 2026 Dates & Deadlines
August 21, 2025	Work-Study Job Postings Live on Handshake Students may begin to apply for 24-26 Work-Study positions
September 21, 2025	Work-Study eligibility period begins Students able to work up to 19 hours per week
December 15, 2025 – January 2, 2026	Winter Break Classes not in session; Students able to work up to 39 hours for winter break
March 23 – 26, 2026	Spring Break Classes not in session; Students able to work up to 39 hours for spring break
June 21, 2026	Work-Study eligibility period concludes Last day students may use Work-Study funds