Campus Work Study
Campus Work Study is a federally funded program. The purpose of this program is to assist full-time undergraduate students that are determined to have financial need, according to the FAFSA Form (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), in contributing toward their educational expenses. If a student is eligible for a Campus Work Study award, his/her award letter will indicate this. The wages of students receiving a Campus Work Study award are partially funded by the Federal Government and partially funded by Arcadia University.
Institutional Work Study
In exceptional situations, if a student does not quality for Campus Work Study under the federal guidelines, he or she may be awarded Institutional Work Study in order to work on campus. In such situations, the student's wages are funded completely by Arcadia University.
Important Points About Work Study
- The amount of a student's work study award is NOT deducted from the tuition bill, as students will be paid directly for any hours that they work.
- If a student is awarded work study as part of their financial aid package, in order to receive a job placement, he/she must submit a Student Employment Application. All students, both new and returning, must complete an Employment Application annually by the required due date in order to receive a job placement.
- The One-Stop Shop, who administers the Campus Work Study Program in conjunction with Enrollment Management, will provide the student with one initial job placement only. Other additional job placements are not guaranteed.
- Although we will attempt to match the student with a position in an area on campus that they desire, due to the supply and demand principle (there are limited positions on campus and several students in need of placements), this is not always possible.
- At no point in time can a student work more than 20 hours a week during the academic year. Eight to 10 hours a week is recommended during the academic year. During winter, spring and summer breaks, students may be able to work up to 40 hours/week.
- Hours students work during the winter break, spring break and summer periods are not deducted from their annual campus work study allocation.
General Expectations of Students Participating in Campus Work Study
- Quality work
- Appropriate attire
- Positive attitude
- Promptness
- Appropriate notification of supervisor of any absences, either planned or unplanned
- Maintaining confidentiality of documents, discussions, etc. within the workplace
- Monitoring use of one's work study award allocation (information provided on pay stub) and appropriate notification of one's supervisor when they are close to exhausting their allocation
- Prompt completion and submission of monthly timesheets to immediate supervisor
What Students Can Expect
- Clear expectations of work to be completed
- Pleasant and equitable treatment by supervisors
- Payment in a timely manner
Hiring Procedures
- Students that receive a Campus Work Study Award or Institutional Work Study Award as part of their financial aid package will be sent an Student Employment Application. Students seeking a campus job placement must complete this application and return it to the One-Stop Shop. Note: An Employment Application must be completed each year, by both new and returning students.
- Once the Student Employment Application is received in the One-Stop Shop, the student will be issued a campus placement form. This form is typically sent to the student's campus mailbox. It will indicate the department and supervisor contact information.
- Once the student receives his/her placement form, he/she should contact the supervisor indicated on the placement form to work out an amiable schedule.
- Students employed on campus must complete an I-9 and W-4 form in the One-Stop Shop before they can be paid. This paperwork need only be completed one time.
Pay Rates
For the 2008-09 academic year, the starting pay rate will be $7.25/hour for most positions on campus. Hourly rates increase $.25 each year, provided the student returns to work for the same department. The starting rate for student tour guides will be $8.50. Student telecounselors will start at $8.50/hour. Student supervisors will start at $7.75/hour. Students should check their placement form to find their individual pay rate.
How Many Hours Can I Work?
Formula: Take your total work study award amount for the year and divide it by your hourly pay rate. This is the total number of hours one can work during the fall/spring semesters. Then, divide that total by 31 weeks. This is the number of hours you can work per week.
Ex.-John's work study award=$1,525/year. John's hourly pay rate=$7.25. $1,525 divided by $7.25= 210 hours. 210 hoursdivided by 31 weeks in the academic year=6.8 hours/week. John can work approximately 7 hours a week.
Pay Dates
Students are typically paid on the 15th of each month during the academic year. Paychecks can be picked up from the One-Stop Shop after 1:30 p.m. on payday. Direct deposit to one's one bank account is available. Direct Deposit Forms are available in the One-Stop Shop (Taylor Hall). Students that use direct deposit can access their funds as of 9 a.m. on payday.
Dismissal Policy
In general, if a supervisor experiences poor performance or problematic behavior by a student worker, depending upon the severity of the problem/behavior, a supervisor may proceed to immediate suspension or even termination. In most cases, the following process will occur:
- Verbal warning given to the student
- Written warning given to the student
- Termination
Questions?
Questions regarding eligibility for Campus Work Study should be directed to Financial Aid at ext. 2980; All other questions regarding work study, such as issues related to job placements, pay rates, etc., should be directed to Caron Dessoye in the One-Stop Shop at ext. 2336 (215-517-2336 from off-campus).
Questions regarding paychecks/direct deposit should be directed to Johanna Hibbs at ext. 2339 (215-517-2339 from off-campus).
