prospective.jpg

Student Employment

Part-time employment – either in the form of a Federal Work Study Award or expected contributions from an outside job – is often included in the self-help portion of a student's aid package.

Federal Work-Study

If a student has demonstrated need and there is sufficient funding, he or she may be given a Work-Study award.

  • About Federal Work-Study:
    The Federal Work-Study Program was established by Congress to help students find employment in order to meet educational costs while providing experience related to academic majors and interests. Approximately 2,500 undergraduates participate in the program annually.
  • Federal Work-Study Awards:
    Awards range from $1800 to $2500 for the academic year. This award is not a guaranteed salary, but an earnings limit. Students must devise a schedule with their employers based on this limit and their hourly pay to ensure that this limit will not be exceeded before the end of the academic year.

    Most students work between six and ten hours per week, and the jobs pay between $7.25 and $11 an hour. Funds are paid directly to students based on wage rates and the number of hours worked every two weeks. Federal Work-Study funds are not credited towards students' invoices.

    Students can choose to reject their work-study awards for the year or for a term. However, students who reject work-study may not be eligible to get the award back if they change their mind. In addition, the Office of Financial Aid will not make up the financial shortfall for students who reject this component of their package.
  • Work-Study Employment options:
    Jobs are available both on and off-campus. A current listing of available jobs, can be found on the Office of Work-Study web site.

    Off-campus positions are with non-profit employers providing community service. The America Reads Program at local elementary schools is one such Community Service effort, managed by the Office of Work-Study.

Outside Work

A student’s package may indicate an expected academic-year work contribution (in addition to the summer earnings expectation).

If a student is not eligible for Federal Work-Study and does not have an outside job, there are a variety of other employment opportunities available to Northwestern students both on and off campus. Further information and assistance regarding part-time employment can be obtained from the University Career Services Office if the student is not eligible for Federal Work-Study.