What is the benefit of "work study?"

[Anonymous]

My understanding is that work study jobs are not assigned/guaranteed and your child still needs to apply and interview for the position. Also, I understand that schools might offer work study to more students than they have jobs available. Plus, the parents still needs to front the money that the student is expected to make from work study. Also, some jobs may not be desirable for a student - i.e. it might be a janitorial position that the student doesn't want. So what is the benefit of work study? How is it different from getting any "non-work study" job on campus? The only positive thing that I heard about "work study" jobs is that they are on-campus jobs that seem to accommodate a student's schedule. Any thoughts?

[Anonymous]

I got a work study job. I worked in the financial aid office. It was great for financial aid purposes - I knew about scholarships before they were open to the public, learned how they picked recipients, got my financial aid apps approved just by handing them to a coworker and waiting 20 seconds, made friends at the Registrar, etc.

My aunt had a friend who worked there, and that's how I got the job. I didn't really interview - just showed up and met the friend and showed her my schedule for the semester. I put that job on my resume.

[Anonymous]

Generally students use work study money for things like books, and living expenses that are ongoing, so parents do not need to front the money. It's possible that a kid might save money from semester 1 work study to pay for semester 2, but that still doesn't involve parents fronting money.

The benefit of work study for the students is that they get jobs that don't require them to commute, and that are flexible and work around student schedules. Plus most campuses offer a wide variety of work study jobs, so students who act quickly and responsibly will find something that works for them. If a student isn't proactive about seeking a position, and ends up without a position, or in a position they particularly dislike, then hopefully that's a learning experience.

The benefit to the university is that they have to pay less for student workers, since the federal government is subsidizing wages.

[Anonymous]

At my college, the work-study jobs were always directionally better than the non-work study jobs. They weren’t all great. But they were definitely better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My understanding is that work study jobs are not assigned/guaranteed and your child still needs to apply and interview for the position. Also, I understand that schools might offer work study to more students than they have jobs available. Plus, the parents still needs to front the money that the student is expected to make from work study. Also, some jobs may not be desirable for a student - i.e. it might be a janitorial position that the student doesn't want. So what is the benefit of work study? How is it different from getting any "non-work study" job on campus? The only positive thing that I heard about "work study" jobs is that they are on-campus jobs that seem to accommodate a student's schedule. Any thoughts?

That’s the biggest benefit and it’s huge. The ability to study while at work or the flexibility not to work during mid terms/finals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My understanding is that work study jobs are not assigned/guaranteed and your child still needs to apply and interview for the position. Also, I understand that schools might offer work study to more students than they have jobs available. Plus, the parents still needs to front the money that the student is expected to make from work study. Also, some jobs may not be desirable for a student - i.e. it might be a janitorial position that the student doesn't want. So what is the benefit of work study? How is it different from getting any "non-work study" job on campus? The only positive thing that I heard about "work study" jobs is that they are on-campus jobs that seem to accommodate a student's schedule. Any thoughts?

Some colleges don't offer work-study to high family income students so its not even an option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My understanding is that work study jobs are not assigned/guaranteed and your child still needs to apply and interview for the position. Also, I understand that schools might offer work study to more students than they have jobs available. Plus, the parents still needs to front the money that the student is expected to make from work study. Also, some jobs may not be desirable for a student - i.e. it might be a janitorial position that the student doesn't want. So what is the benefit of work study? How is it different from getting any "non-work study" job on campus? The only positive thing that I heard about "work study" jobs is that they are on-campus jobs that seem to accommodate a student's schedule. Any thoughts?

Some colleges don't offer work-study to high family income students so its not even an option.

Work-study is a form of need based aid. It's offered by the federal government who identifies students who qualify, and then gives money to the colleges so the college can employ those specific students.

Students who don't get work-study, because they have less need than tuition, either because their family has high income, or because merit aid covers their full need, have fewer jobs to choose from on campus.

[Anonymous]

I got a work-study position that tied into my major. It worked out pretty well ... looked great on my resume and the people were so nice. They loved their work-study kids.

[Anonymous]

Wow - I had no idea what positive experiences (other than getting a little extra money for school) that work study could have! So it looks like you could potentially get a job that could help build your resume & get recommendations, help with financial aid (possibly), give you time to study while technically working and open you up to job opportunities that you wouldn't have without work study (in addition to non-work study jobs).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow - I had no idea what positive experiences (other than getting a little extra money for school) that work study could have! So it looks like you could potentially get a job that could help build your resume & get recommendations, help with financial aid (possibly), give you time to study while technically working and open you up to job opportunities that you wouldn't have without work study (in addition to non-work study jobs).

Yes, work study is one of the better programs the federal government has. It benefits both the schools and the students who receive it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At my college, the work-study jobs were always directionally better than the non-work study jobs. They weren’t all great. But they were definitely better.

This is how it was a my college. If you weren't work study the only jobs seemed to be food service or campus store

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At my college, the work-study jobs were always directionally better than the non-work study jobs. They weren’t all great. But they were definitely better.

This is how it was a my college. If you weren't work study the only jobs seemed to be food service or campus store

They’re not all amazing resume builders. My freshman year roommate’s work-study job was food service.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My understanding is that work study jobs are not assigned/guaranteed and your child still needs to apply and interview for the position. Also, I understand that schools might offer work study to more students than they have jobs available. Plus, the parents still needs to front the money that the student is expected to make from work study. Also, some jobs may not be desirable for a student - i.e. it might be a janitorial position that the student doesn't want. So what is the benefit of work study? How is it different from getting any "non-work study" job on campus? The only positive thing that I heard about "work study" jobs is that they are on-campus jobs that seem to accommodate a student's schedule. Any thoughts?

Some colleges don't offer work-study to high family income students so its not even an option.

Work-study is a form of need based aid. It's offered by the federal government who identifies students who qualify, and then gives money to the colleges so the college can employ those specific students.

Students who don't get work-study, because they have less need than tuition, either because their family has high income, or because merit aid covers their full need, have fewer jobs to choose from on campus.

I wonder if they changed it. We have a HHI of 300K and my DD was offered work study at Syracuse (plus a student loan).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My understanding is that work study jobs are not assigned/guaranteed and your child still needs to apply and interview for the position. Also, I understand that schools might offer work study to more students than they have jobs available. Plus, the parents still needs to front the money that the student is expected to make from work study. Also, some jobs may not be desirable for a student - i.e. it might be a janitorial position that the student doesn't want. So what is the benefit of work study? How is it different from getting any "non-work study" job on campus? The only positive thing that I heard about "work study" jobs is that they are on-campus jobs that seem to accommodate a student's schedule. Any thoughts?

Some colleges don't offer work-study to high family income students so its not even an option.

Work-study is a form of need based aid. It's offered by the federal government who identifies students who qualify, and then gives money to the colleges so the college can employ those specific students.

Students who don't get work-study, because they have less need than tuition, either because their family has high income, or because merit aid covers their full need, have fewer jobs to choose from on campus.

I wonder if they changed it. We have a HHI of 300K and my DD was offered work study at Syracuse (plus a student loan).

I'm thinking the same. We have a high income as well and we were offerred work study and students loans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My understanding is that work study jobs are not assigned/guaranteed and your child still needs to apply and interview for the position. Also, I understand that schools might offer work study to more students than they have jobs available. Plus, the parents still needs to front the money that the student is expected to make from work study. Also, some jobs may not be desirable for a student - i.e. it might be a janitorial position that the student doesn't want. So what is the benefit of work study? How is it different from getting any "non-work study" job on campus? The only positive thing that I heard about "work study" jobs is that they are on-campus jobs that seem to accommodate a student's schedule. Any thoughts?

Some colleges don't offer work-study to high family income students so its not even an option.

Work-study is a form of need based aid. It's offered by the federal government who identifies students who qualify, and then gives money to the colleges so the college can employ those specific students.

Students who don't get work-study, because they have less need than tuition, either because their family has high income, or because merit aid covers their full need, have fewer jobs to choose from on campus.

I wonder if they changed it. We have a HHI of 300K and my DD was offered work study at Syracuse (plus a student loan).

Did you fill out FAFSA? What was your family contribution?