Types of Student Employment

Federal Work-Study

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a program for students who have demonstrated financial need as determined by their answers on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This work program helps students who have FWS awards as part of their yearly financial aid package meet some of their educational expenses through a part-time job opportunity with an eligible employer. FWS funds can be used to pay a significant portion of the student's wage for eligible employers. Job openings are often in convenient campus locations, or with nonprofit organizations in the local area. Some eligible Federal Work-Study job sites might be in:

• Purdue labs/departments
• Purdue Residence Halls
• Purdue/local public libraries
• Local tutoring programs
• Area social service agencies
• City/County government offices

To qualify for employment through the Federal Work-Study Program you must:

• File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with the federal processor by March 1.
• Complete your Financial Aid file with required documentation.
• Be awarded Federal Work-Study eligibility by the Division of Financial Aid on your Award Notification Letter (ANL). Federal Work-Study is awarded based on demonstrated need from the FAFSA.
• Be enrolled in a degree seeking program for at least six hours each semester during the academic year.

The Federal Work-Study program is designed so that the government and your qualified employer share in paying your wages. The money you earn comes directly to you in bi-weekly paychecks, and can be used for paying your living and educational expenses.

At the beginning of the academic year, Student Employment-Division of Financial Aid will mail a Payroll Authorization Form (PAF) to the student's home address. If a student does not receive a PAF or needs an additional PAF, he or she can pick up a new one at Schleman Hall room 305 from Student Employment or a Financial Aid Counselor.

There is a three-step process for a student to utilize a Work-Study award:

• Find and secure a job with a Work-Study eligible employer.
• Students must turn in their Payroll Authorization Form (PAF) to their employer’s payroll clerk.  The Division of financial Aid will mail the academic year PAF form to the student during the summer.  Duplicate PAF forms can be generated in Schleman Hall, Room 305.
• Students must work their scheduled hours to earn their wages. The employer will pay the students' earnings in biweekly paychecks. Direct deposit to the student's bank account is also an option with many employers.

A student’s FWS earnings can be used to pay for fees, tuition, housing, books, supplies, or any other expenses he or she might incur.  However, FWS earnings are not automatically applied to tuition, fees or any other associated university expenses like some other sources of financial aid.

Regular Part-time

Many types of jobs are available on or near campus. Off-campus jobs range from restaurant positions and retail sales to telemarketing and clerical jobs, among others. On-campus titles might include food service, lab assistants, and library positions. Campus and area employers realize that they are hiring college students, and try (whenever possible) to offer flexible schedules to help accommodate a student's needs.

Internships and Cooperative Education

Internships and cooperative education programs are excellent ways for students to gain work experience. Internships provide students with valid employment opportunities during school breaks. Co-Op programs allow students to alternate semesters of on-campus study with semesters of full-time employment. Students should see their academic advisors for more information on internships and Co-Op programs that are specific to their majors. Students and employers can also contact The Center for Career Opportunities for more information on internship programs or career placements at 765-494-3981. Interested parties might also want to contact the Office of Professional Practice at 765-494-7430 for more information on Co-Op programs.

Students working during a "co-op" semester are not typically enrolled in any credits, but they do have full time student status and loans are deferred. Students on work assignments are not typically eligible for financial aid during that term. While students are away from campus on their work assignment, they are registered for a course at Purdue, for which they are charged a fee each term. This fee covers part of the added cost to the University of administering this special program.