Placing federal work-study students in the community

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Abstract

It is prudent to place work-study students in the community in areas where they can excel based on academic major, interests, and strengths.  This will yield a positive learning experience for the student, greatest impact in the community, and help further develop partnerships with the college/university. Gina Vincent, an Americorps*VISTA with the Michigan Campus Compact, at Davenport University, Grand Rapids, Michigan, (2004-05) submitted this effective practice.

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Issue

How best to achieve successful work study placement in the community.

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Action

  • Obtain a list of students who qualify for work study through the campus Financial Aid Office in preparation for the fall semester.
  • Review student applications (major, previous work experience, and number of hours eligible each week).
  • Contact individual students to schedule interviews.
  • Interview students to determine their interests and strengths, their availability, and their access to transportation.
  • Contact 2-3 community agencies per student to inquire about their current volunteer needs during the hours of work study student availability.
  • Match each student with a community agency based on his/her interests, experiences or strengths; this will create positive outcomes for the agency and the student.
  • Share information with the agency regarding the potential work study student’s experiences and interests.
  • Contact each student and encourage him/her to contact the community agency to schedule an interview in person.
  • Request that students follow up with a staff member after each interview.
  • Contact each agency to follow up regarding the interview.
  • If an agency director or volunteer coordinator decides to hire a work-study student, schedule a meeting with that student so he/she may fill out a W4 and bring in a drivers license or state identification card and a social security card or birth certificate. Make copies of all documentation and organize in files.
  • Forward this documentation to the Financial Aid Director or other designated campus employee along with the agency contact information (contact person, phone number, fax number, e-mail and mailing address).
  • The agency will contact the student and inform the student that he/she is hired and when they can start working (usually within a few days).
  • Follow up two weeks after each student has started and schedule a site visit with the volunteer coordinator and/or agency director.
  • At mid-semester schedule a time to meet with each student and their community service supervisor to celebrate their accomplishments thus far.
  • At the end of the work-study assignment ask each student to complete an evaluation on their experiences with the program and with their community agency.

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Context

A VISTA Volunteer grant allowed for a VISTA member to serve for three years at Davenport University (Grand Rapids), and Gina Vincent was the first MCC AmeriCorps volunteer at the student life office. During her one-year term, Ms. Vincent worked to expand, develop and deepen the University’s community ties. She worked with Habitat for Humanity, DU Cares, The Community Service Banquet, Alternative Spring Break (ASB) and other community-and university-related projects. She also helped throughout the university to unify Davenport’s efforts to be more coordinated and consistent for overall projects such as the Jimmy Carter Work Build for Habitat for Humanity.

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Outcome

AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) provides full-time members to nonprofit, faith-based and other community organizations, and public agencies to create and expand programs that bring low-income individuals and communities out of poverty.

AmeriCorps*VISTA members leverage human, financial, and material resources to increase the capacity of thousands of low-income areas across the country to address challenges and improve the lives of the people in those communities.

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Posted On

February 11, 2009

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For More Information

Michigan Campus Compact
1048 Pierpont, Suite 3
Lansing, MI 48911
USA
Phone: (517) 492-2424
Fax: (517) 492-2410

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