1. Work-Study Students Have Opportunities to Work Off-Campus

Through the Harward Center, work-study students have the opportunity to work off-campus. All  positions in the Harward Center are only available for work-study students. These community service-centered positions often involve local organizations, non-profits, and school programs. To learn more about these opportunities, contact the Harward Center; email fhaji2@bates.edu, or call 207-786-6202. The Harward Center is located at 161 Wood St, Lewiston, ME.

2. Hours May Vary

How many hours you work each week will depend on the type of job you get and your employer’s expectations. Many student employment positions will allow you to work around your class schedule. Students working on-campus cannot work more than 20 hours per week while classes are in session. During week-long breaks and summer students who stay on campus may work up to 40 hours per week.

3. Pay May Vary

On-campus jobs vary in qualifications and responsibilities, so the pay will depend on the job that you are hired to do. In compliance with the State of Maine minimum wage, all student wages are set at a minimum of $13.80 per hour. There are very few on-campus positions where students receive pay over $13.80 per hour.

4. Being Awarded Work-Study Does Not Guarantee You A Job

Many students at Bates receive either Bates or Federal work-study in their financial aid package. Work-study is not a program, nor does it guarantee you a job. To apply for jobs, please visit Handshake. You can find all on-campus jobs, many off-campus jobs, and internships on Handshake. When a work-study student writes a cover letter for any on-campus jobs, they should mention they receive work-study in their financial aid package. During the first two weeks of classes supervisors are encouraged to prioritize hiring equally qualified work-study students.

5. Work-Study Funds Are Not Applied Directly to Your Tuition

Unlike other types of financial aid, work-study earnings are not applied directly to your tuition and fees. Students awarded work-study receive the funds via direct deposit as they earn them based on hours worked, just like a normal job. These earnings are meant to help with students’ day-to-day expenses and are not meant to cover high costs like tuition and housing.

6. Work-Study Is Not Guaranteed from Year to Year

Several factors can determine whether or not you receive work-study from year to year. These include your family income or financial need, whether you used the work-study funds offered to you in a prior year, or how much work-study funding your school received that year. Typically, students who file the FAFSA early (in January/February before the academic year) and answer the FAFSA that they are interested in Federal Work-Study will have a higher chance of being awarded funds from the program.

7. Federal Work-Study Earnings Are Removed from Your FAFSA Calculations

One of the benefits of earning income through a federal work-study position is that those earnings do not count against you when you complete the following year’s FAFSA. Be sure to accurately answer the question regarding how much was earned through work-study on your FAFSA. You can contact the payroll office for help if you do not know the answer. This does not apply to Bates work-study students.