Student Employment
There are two types of student employment categories: work study and student assistance. On-campus employment provides many benefits, including:
Accessibility: You won’t have to go far to get to work! You won’t even need a car to get to work (unless you’re employed at Mann Valley Farm, which is just a short trip off campus by car).
Flexibility: Campus employers understand that your first priority is being a student. They’ll typically work around your class schedule and breaks and may give you time off for big class projects or trips with enough advance notice.
Connection: Campus employment can help with the adjustment to college life by providing connections with other students, staff and faculty. Having an on-campus job will enhance your campus knowledge and give you a great sense of pride in our campus community!
Work Study
- Work Study is a financial aid award.
- If you’ve submitted a FAFSA and “Federal Work Study” is listed on your award letter, then you have the opportunity to apply for Work Study employment at UWRF. You can earn up to the amount of your Work Study award. (i.e., You’re awarded $750 per semester in Work Study. You can work an on-campus job and earn up to $750 per semester for your position.)
- Your Work Study award is not a guarantee of a job. You will still need to apply, be hired and complete any hiring process for a position.
- Once you’re hired, a work schedule is developed with your employer. They’ll work with you to fit your class schedule, possibly including nights and weekends.
- You’ll be paid via direct deposit every two weeks for the hours you work, and you’ll receive biweekly electronic earning statements via your UWRF email account.
Student Assistance
- Any enrolled, degree-seeking student can work in a Student Assistant position, even if you weren’t awarded financial aid. A FAFSA submission is not required to pursue a Student Assistant position.
- Once you’re hired, a work schedule is developed with your employer to best fit your class schedule, possibly including nights and weekends.
- You’ll be paid via direct deposit every two weeks for the hours you work, and you’ll receive biweekly electronic earning statements via your UWRF email account.
Getting a Job
UWRF offers a wide variety of on-campus positions via departments and units across campus. We’ve compiled a few tips on how to find opportunities.
Work Study dollars are awarded through a federal program on the basis of financial need. You first need to complete and submit the FAFSA to determine your eligibility for Work Study awards. Campus has a limited number of work study positions, therefore receiving a Work Study award DOES NOT guarantee that you’ll have an on-campus job to earn the dollar amount that you were awarded. However, having a Work Study award can be beneficial as some departments and positions only hire students who have been approved for Work Study.
Many campus departments are able to hire student employees who aren’t awarded Work Study by hiring them as “student assistants.” Both Work Study and Student Assistant jobs generally pay the same rates and require the same skillset, the difference is simply how the positions are funded. For Student Assistant jobs, the department pays a student’s wage; for Work Study jobs, the federal government pays a portion of the student’s wage.
Start NOW! Don’t wait until classes are in session as many positions will be filled by that time. If you don’t get a position for fall semester, don’t give up. Many departments also hire for spring semester or for summer employment.
Handshake is our campus-wide electronic job posting system. It lists many on-campus student employment opportunities and you can check daily for new job postings.
Please note: Work Study eligibility is not uploaded into Handshake. If you have Work Study, please apply for positions despite your profile stating that you are not work study eligible.
Each position posted will specify Work Study or Student Assistance funding (typically next to the job title or in the position description). If you qualify for Work Study, you can apply for Work Study positions or Student Assistant positions. If you do not qualify for Work Study, you can apply for Student Assistant positions.
When hired, your employer will provide any necessary employment documents.
As a first-year student, you’ll be able to access the Handshake system 24 hours after enrolling in classes. You can use your W# and password to view employment opportunities. Please don’t attempt to create an account before this time as it can disrupt your ability to log in.
Network: Do you know anyone who currently holds an on-campus job? Ask them if their department is hiring.
Conduct Department Search: Call departments you are interested in applying to. Ask who hires students for that department and follow up via email inquiring about openings.
Visit Departments in Person: Locate and stop into each department you are considering. Introduce yourself to the office manager and inquire about open positions.
Employers and UWRF Departments
To post an on-campus (Work Study or Student Assistance) or off-campus job or to get more information on recruitment, click here.
Financial Aid
Monday-Friday, 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
