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Work-Study

About Work-Study 

Federal Work-Study is a federal student aid program that funds part-time job opportunities for undergraduate students. All work-study jobs are intended to be part-time opportunities that pay at least minimum wage. Work-study awards are not applied directly to student accounts. Rather, students work part-time each week and earn a paycheck that can assist them with paying for books, transportation, fees, and other personal expenses. To determine if you have a work-study award, review your Award Notification on TritonLink from the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office.

Work-study eligibility is determined by completing the FAFSA – the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The program provides funding to colleges and universities, which then use the funds to pay a portion of the wages earned by work-study students. Work-study reduces the need for student loans, leaves students with less debt, and lets them explore careers while gaining work experience.

Several departments prioritize work-study students in their recruitment by indicating a preference for work-study candidates in the job posting on Handshake. If a position requires work-study, applicants will be asked to provide their financial aid award letter either as part of the application packet or upon being offered the position.

To better understand your work-study award, please visit “About Work-Study” on the Financial Aid website.

For more information about your financial aid award, please contact the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office.

Need more information or have a specific question? We’re here to help with all your student employment needs. Contact us at studentemployment@ucsd.edu.