Work-Study Opportunities for Students at Colorado State University

1. New Work-Study Student Information Student Employment Services Student Employment Services Centennial Hall Fort Collins, CO 80523 970-491-5714 seserv@colostate.edu

2. What is Work-Study? • It is a part-time job opportunity • Wages can be used to help pay for college expenses • Award amount is the total amount you can earn during the academic year • Usually $2,500 per year, but you can request an increase, if funds are available and you are eligible • You are not paid to study; rather, you use your earnings to pay for your studies • Work-Study is paid every other week by direct deposit to a personal bank account

3. What is Work-Study? (cont’d) • Work-Study wages are subsidized • 70% of your wages are paid from work-study funds • 30% of your wages are paid from employer funds • You can work around your class schedule • You will usually have time off during school breaks • Two types of Work-Study: • Need-Based Work-Study • Merit-Based Work-Study

4. What is Need-Based Work-Study? • Need-based work-study is awarded based on financial need, as determined by the FAFSA, and the availability of funds • File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) early! • Advantages: • If you worked work-study in a prior year, you are awarded renewal work-study each subsequent year, if eligible • Earnings can be excluded from income when filing FAFSA • Can be used to work in either on or off-campus jobs • Can also be used to work in Federal Community Service positions • Community Service: Jobs that benefit local community – Library, Centers for Disease Control, Literacy/Math Tutors in Elementary Schools

5. What is Merit-Based Work-Study? • Not based on financial need. No FAFSA required • Application is available on RAMweb in early February for the following academic year • Jobs must be located before applying • The award is based primarily upon the applicant finding a job in their major or a job which strengthens career goals • Awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis • Funds are limited, so apply immediately • Colorado merit – For undergraduate Colorado residents only • Nonresident merit – For undergraduate and graduate nonresident students

6. Where Can I Work? • Most common employment location is on-campus • Many academic and administrative departments hire work-study students • Selected off-campus agencies also have contracted with the University to hire work-study students • Federal Community Service Work-Study jobs are available to any interested student with a work-study award • Community Service Jobs could be working for select elementary schools as Literacy/Math Tutors or other approved jobs for the public good

7. How Do I Find a Job? • RAMweb job postings • Ramweb.colostate.edu • Click on Student Job Listing under “Financial Info” • When viewing the job list, click on the green pay rate or job title for more info on the job • Another strategy is to contact the department or College directly for possible job • You may also view other department websites for job postings: http://www.ses.colostate.edu/pdf/OtherEmp.pdf • Still having trouble? Call and set up a time to meet with Student Employment Services, 970-491-5714

8. Interview Tips • Follow directions on job posting on how to apply • Take it seriously • Dress appropriately • Be on time for the interview • Be prepared to talk about yourself and your work experience • Email a copy of your financial aid award notice from RAMweb to employer, or bring a copy to the interview • Bring/send a resume, or job history • Ask questions—duties, hours, pay rate • Thank the employer

9. What Kind of Jobs Are Available? • We have over one hundred different student job classifications • A majority of jobs available involve administrative work, lab work, tutoring children, computer programming, working with animals and working in the residence halls.

10. What Are the Pay Rates? • The type of job you find determines the pay rate—each job classification has a pay rate range attached • The lowest student pay rate: • $7.78/hour (current minimum wage) • The average pay rate -- $9.38/hour • The employer may choose to give merit raises • 10 steps of pay for each job classification • Automatic cost of living raises may be applied if the economy is good

11. Examples of Student Pay Rates/Hour • Job TitleStep 1Step 2Step 3 Admin Assistant I $9.51 $9.75 $9.98 Campus Rec Worker $7.78 $7.97 $8.17 Classroom Assistant $7.78 $7.97 $8.17 Computer Lab Asst I $8.21 $8.41 $8.62 Lab Assistant Intern $8.00 $8.20 $8.40 Literacy/Math Tutor $9.48 $9.72 $9.95

12. How Many Hours Do I Need to Work? • Hourly pay rate and work-study award amount determine the number of hours/week you will work. • Example: • $2,500 work-study award • $8.00/hour pay rate • 32 weeks of work per academic year • $2,500 award / $8.00 per hour / 32 weeks • => 9.77 hours/week • For more examples, view the Work-Study Allocation Table

13. How Do I Get Paid? • You will be asked to fill out the I-9 • The I-9 is used to prove identity & eligibility to work in the United States • You will need to show evidence of identity and eligibility using original documents • Passport is best if you have one • Can also use other documents, such as: Driver License, CSU ID, Social Security Card, Birth Certificate

14. How Do I Get Paid? (cont’d) • You will be asked to fill out the Pay Disposition Action form • This document is used to set up direct deposit to your bank account • Must provide voided check or letter from bank with your account number and routing number clearly indicated • You pay is deposited directly into a bank account of your choice

15. How Do I Get Paid? (cont’d) • You will be asked to fill out the W-4 form • The W-4 is used to determine amount of tax withholding: • Have an idea for number of exemptions you will claim, or if you will file “Exempt”

16. How Do I Get Paid? (cont’d) • You will either submit a time sheet to document hours worked, or clock-in hours worked using a time clock • Important: submit correct time on time sheet and get supervisor’s signature • Ask your employer about deadline for submitting hours worked • Pay day is every other Friday • Follow this link to view the Pay Period Schedule

17. Work-Study Rules I Should Know • You may have only 1 work-study job at a time • It is important to find a job during the first 4 weeks of the term, as funds may be cancelled if not used • Try to earn all of your award amount • You can earn up to 50% of your total award amount during the fall term. The remaining 50% (plus any remaining amount from the fall term) can be earned during the spring term • You must not work during scheduled class times • You must not work more than an average of 20 hours/week

18. Online Resources & Contact Info Good luck with your job search! Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions! Online Resources: • www.ses.colostate.edu • RAMweb.colostate.edu Contact Info: Student Employment Services Centennial Hall Email: seserv@colostate.edu Phone: 970-491-5714