Student Employment (Work Study)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is work study?
- How do I earn my work study award?
- Are there work study jobs on or off-campus?
- How do I find a work study position?
- How many hours will I work?
- What happens when my work study award is exhausted?
- What if I do not earn my entire work study award?
- Why is there no work study award listed on my student bill?
- What about work study income--is this taxable?
A Work study provides jobs for undergraduate with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay educational expenses. In order to be employed in a work study job, you must have a work study award.
*** top of page ***
Your work study award will represent the amount of money you can earn through a work study job. In order to earn this award you must be employed in a work study position.
Each work study position has a wage attached to it. Most work study positions are paid hourly. Work study positions will pay no lower than minimum wage but may be higher depending on employer, type of work, and skills required.
You will be paid through the College's payroll system according to the pay rate and number of hours you work. Hourly wage positions will pay every two weeks. Your wages will be drawn from your work study award. You can continue to work until your award is exhausted.
*** top of page ***
A. Both. Most departments and offices on-campus offer work study jobs. In addition, off-campus work study jobs are available through the Community Service work study program.
*** top of page ***
To apply for a work study position, you will need to go to the PPCC website (PPCC.edu) under "Current Student," "Financial Aid," and "Student Employment." Read the information, find the job you want and then click on "Find and apply for a work study position." Find the job you want and click on the "Apply for this position" button and follow directions.
*** top of page ***
Workload will vary depending on your schedule, the employer's needs, and the amount of your work study award. Work study students typically work 15 - 20 hours per week. However some work more and some work less. Most work study employers will work around your schedule; employers will never ask you to work during classes. In order to be certain you earn your entire award, you should calculate how many hours per week you will need to average, based on your pay rate and work study award level.
*** top of page ***
A. When you have earned your entire award your work study position ends.
*** top of page ***
A. If you do not earn your entire Fall semester award, the balance will be lost. You will still have your Spring semester award available, if you do not use the whole amount of your Spring award, that will be lost as well.
*** top of page ***
A. Work study is earned through a paycheck and paid to the student directly. It will not be paid to your student bill.
*** top of page ***
Yes. Any money received as the result of work (i.e., work study employment, temporary employment on or off campus, some fellowships, etc.) is considered taxable income. You will be asked to file a withholding form (W-4) and you will receive a statement of income and taxes withheld form (W-2) each calendar year. Your taxable earnings from need-based employment must also be reported on Worksheet C of your FAFSA. Questions regarding your withholding status should be directed to the College's Payroll Office at (719)502-2600.
*** top of page ***