| “What is college workstudy?” |
| |
College workstudy is a student
assistance program, which provides part-time
employment for students.
The earnings can be used to help pay
educational expenses. Both on campus and off
campus positions are available.
Off campus positions are in areas of
community service and that includes the “America
Reads” program which is a reading tutoring
position in the local elementary schools. |
 |
| “How do I apply?” |
| |
o be considered for workstudy,
a student must complete the Free Application for
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the current
award year.
On the FAFSA, you should answer “YES” to
the question asking if you are interested in
Workstudy.
The information submitted on this
application is analyzed to determine whether you
are eligible for financial aid such as grants,
loans, and workstudy.
Once the information you
submitted has been evaluated by our office and
eligibility determined, an award letter listing
your eligibility for financial aid will be sent
to you.
If you are not awarded workstudy, there
could be several reasons:
a) You did not request workstudy on the
FAFSA; b) You are ineligible for workstudy
funds; or c) We have exhausted our workstudy
funds and have no more money to award to
students.
In this case, you may ask to be put on a
waiting list in case more funds become
available.
Earliest applicants are considered first,
so, if you are eligible, filing your FAFSA early
each year offers you the best opportunity for
this award.
|
|
| “How do I find a job?” |
| |
You can access the MSU-Billings
website at
www.msubillings.edu/workstudy.
Available jobs are listed with pertinent
information such as job description, wage,
contact person, etc.
You may contact the employer if you are
interested in an interview for a particular job. |
|
| "I've been hired! Now what do I do?" |
| First of all, congratulations! Now you need to: |
|
Get an authorization form from the
Financial Aid Office – First Floor of McMullen
Hall. |
|
If you were
hired for an off-campus COMMUNITY SERVICE JOB,
contact Lisa Wallace in Career Services (Library
Building Room 100, Phone 657-1618.)
Off campus jobs require an employer
contract. |
|
Have your new
supervisor complete the bottom portion of your
Workstudy Authorization; return the form to the
Financial Aid office. |
| |
Go to Room 310 in McMullen
Hall (Human Resources Office) to fill out
necessary paperwork. Be sure to bring with you:
|
| |
a. |
A driver's license or picture I.D. |
| |
b. |
Your original Social Security Card. |
| |
c. |
If you do not have one or both of these items, ask the Human
Resources Office personnel for information on other acceptable
forms of identification. |
|
| "How much does a workstudy job pay?" |
| |
Most workstudy jobs pay about
$7.00/hour; however, pay depends on duties,
level of responsibility, etc.
Pay ranges from $6.90 (minimum wage) to
about $10.00 per hour. |
|
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
|
| "How do I get paid?" |
| |
In order to get paid, you must fill
out a timesheet and turn it in every two weeks.
The Payroll Schedule may be found at:
http://www.msubillings.edu/staff.
You
will be paid every two weeks (on a Friday) provided you
have:
|
| |
· |
Worked during the two
week pay period for which paychecks are issued; |
| |
· |
Turned in a completed
authorization form to the Financial Aid Office; |
| |
· |
Completed all necessary paperwork in the Human
Resources Office (McMullen Hall Room 310); |
| |
· |
Turned in a completed, signed, timesheet.
Timesheets must be in the Payroll office by 5:00
PM on the Monday following the Friday payday.
Off-campus COMMUNITY SERVICE timesheets must be
turned in to the Financial Aid office instead of
Payroll. |
|
| "Does 'workstudy' mean I get to go
to work and get paid to study?" |
| |
No, “workstudy” means you have an
opportunity to work to help with your school expenses.
|
|
| "Can I work more than one workstudy
job?" |
| |
You can work as many jobs as you
want provided you have a new Authorization form for each
job turned into the Financial Aid Office. |
|
| "Can I quit my workstudy job?" |
| |
Yes.
Please notify your supervisor so he/she can find
a replacement. |
|
| "Can I LOSE my workstudy eligibility?" |
| |
Yes.
Please read the Financial Aid & Scholarships
website regarding Satisfactory Academic Progress
requirements.
Failure to meet these requirements will result in
the loss of financial aid eligibility.
It is
YOUR responsibility to notify your supervisor that you
are ineligible for workstudy. You
can appeal for
reinstatement; see the Financial Aid & Scholarships
website for appeal information. |
|
| "If I earn all of the workstudy I
was awarded, can I request more?" |
| |
Yes, and we will be happy to award
you additional funds to earn, provided that: a) we have
funds available to give you; and b) you are eligible for
additional funds. |
|
|
“Why CAN’T you guarantee me a job – after
all, you awarded
me workstudy?” |
| |
We
award you the
opportunity to work.
Finding a job is up to you.
It’s a great experience for the “real world.”
You may check on available jobs at:
http://www.msubillings.edu/workstudy
|
|
| "How many hours a week can I work?" |
| |
You may work up to 20 hours per
week as long as it doesn’t interfere with your classes
and study time. Remember, your first priority is your
schoolwork. You
cannot
be paid over-time for workstudy hours.
|
|
| "What are the advantages of having
a workstudy job?" |
|
-
Workstudy jobs give you
experience and references, which you can list on your
resume. Also, it provides valuable professional contacts and
networking opportunities in your chosen field.
-
If
you file a tax return and claim your workstudy wages,
the amount you earn can be deducted from the earnings
you are required to claim on your financial aid form
next year!
-
Departments like to hire workstudy students because the
workstudy program is paying the majority of your wage
for the department – which means less money coming out
of the department’s budget for the same amount of labor!
|
|
Please contact the Office of Financial Aid &
Scholarships at (406) 657-2188 if you have
any additional questions.
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