Work Study
What is Work Study?
Work Study is a need-based financial aid award. It is not a grant (you must work to earn it), it is not a loan (you don't have to repay it), and it is not a tuition waiver (students receive a paycheck twice a month and decide what to do with the money). For the most part, it is much like any other regular part-time student job on campus. Only about 30% of jobs on campus require that you have a Work Study award.
How do I get Work Study?
The first step is to apply for Financial Aid through the FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid) beginning October 1st each year, and make sure that you indicate on your FAFSA that you are interested in Work Study.
To qualify, a student must have completed a FAFSA form by the priority filing date of February 1st, and must demonstrate financial need (as determined by the federal government).
Evergreen has more students who qualify for Work Study than there are funds available. As a result, not everyone who is eligible will receive an award.
How Do I Apply for Work Study Jobs?
If you have already been awarded Work Study you can search for jobs on Handshake.
Students are normally awarded around $3,000 to $4,050 for the academic school year. This is the amount you can earn up to in gross wages. For an award of $3000 and wages of $15.74 per hour, you would have about 190 hours to work during the school year, averaging approximately 10 hours of work a week.
Work study jobs can start as early as September 16th, but most positions begin in late September. Evergreen does not currently have a Summer Work Study program, meaning work study jobs end on June 15th.
Why does Work Study on average allow 10 hours a week?
"Nearly two-thirds (65.9%) of those who do not work their first year graduate with a Bachelor’s degree. But students who work up to 12 hours a week are even more likely to graduate, with nearly three-quarters (73.3%) of students who work 1-12 hours a week graduate with a Bachelor's degree.
Only students who work more than 12 hours a week are less likely to graduate: less than half (47.7%) of those who work 13-40 hours a week and less than a third (29.6%) of those who work more than 40 hours a week graduate.
Among students who work 1-12 hours a week, working fewer hours increases graduation rates. 76.2% of students who work 1-6 hours a week graduate with a Bachelor’s degree, compared with 71.5% of students who work 7-12 hours a week." (analysis of data from the Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study)
How Do Off-Campus Employers Hire a Work Study Student?
Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)
State Work Study (SWS) Employer Letter (doc)
SWS Employer Contract and Profile (pdf)
Employer Job Description (pdf)
State Work Study (SWS) Employer Handbook (pdf)
Calculating Spreadsheet to Track Work Study Earnings (xls)
NOTE: The dollar amount of a work-study award represents the gross amount that a student can earn, and includes both the employer share and work-study share of earnings. Once the work-study award is exhausted, the employer will be responsible for paying 100% of earned wages if the student continues to work.
If a work study student is fired or let go by an off campus organization/employer, they are ineligible to return there within the academic year for work study employment again.
Off-Campus Work Study Options:
Math and reading tutor Work Study jobs
Work Study students can use their award to get jobs as Reading Tutors in local elementary schools, and as Math Tutors in local middle schools. Tutoring positions are posted on Handshake each academic year. If you don't see any currently listed, contact us.
Community service Work Study with the Center for Community Based Learning and Action (CCBLA)
The CCBLA has developed strong relationships with local community grassroots organizations. Visit their office in SEMINAR 2, Building E, Room 2125, or visit the CCBLA website to find out more about community-service work study jobs with them.
Work Study students can also work with community literacy programs, state agencies, private employers, and non-profit organizations
If there is an off-campus employer that a work study student (who must be a Washington State Resident) wants to work with and does not see a posting on Handshake for it, the student should let our staff know. It is possible that we can make that opportunity happen!
Work Study Grant Funds
The Financial Aid Office, in conjunction with the Student Employment Office, has converted unused work study to grant aid aiding hiring managers and student employees adjusting to new COVID safety conditions in 2020. For 2021-22 the state and federal rules have reverted to pre-COVID provisions. We do not foresee being able to openly convert work study to grants like we could in spring quarter.