Work-Study Program

Work-Study Program

Federal & State

One way you can help pay for your education is through a work-study job. A work-study job allows for part- time student employment on-campus or off-campus with a pre-approved organization.

Work-study is more than an ordinary part-time job: it’s a form of financial aid, awarded either by the state or federal government, as a form of “self-help” so you don’t have to pay it back.

Through work-study, you gain work experience and professional skills, network in your field of interest, and best of all earn a paycheck, ultimately helping you pay for your education!

To get a work-study job, you must have a completed FAFSA for the applicable aid year and meet the eligibility criteria, see the Student FAQs for more information.

 

Frequent Questions

For Students

  • What is work-study?

    Work- study is need-based financial aid program (Federal and State) that assists students seeking part- time student employment.

    This “self-help” aid helps students develop professional skills and experience by working on-campus or off-campus with a pre-approved organization. 

     

  • Who is eligible for work-study?

    The Federal Work Study Program allows you to work on campus with a specific department or off campus with a community service partner. You must:

    • Submit the FAFSA for the current aid year and demonstrate financial need
    • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
    • Be enrolled at least half-time for the semester
    • Meet Lamar University’s Satisfactory Academic Policy Requirements

    If you are a resident of Texas and meet the above requirements, you may be eligible for the Texas College Work Study Program.

    It is important to remember that students must have all financial aid requirements met in order to receive work-study funds.

     

  • How do I get work-study?

    If you answered “yes” to the work-study question on the FAFSA, you may be automatically awarded work-study. Students who were previously hired as work-study students will also be packaged.

    Any student who does not have work-study offered to them, may request work-study funds by submitting a College Work Study Request Form (CWSREQ). Once the work study request is submitted, the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid will determine eligibility.

  • What if I am not eligible for work-study?

    Like most financial aid, work-study awards are based on academic performance, fund availability, and financial need.

    Since work-study is based on financial need, the award amount will be influenced by the student’s financial aid Cost of Attendance (COA). The work-study award must “fit” within the student’s financial aid COA, and not negatively affect other financial aid awards.

    If you have doubts or concerns about your eligibility, please contact financialaid@lamar.edu or Deborah Guillory at (409) 880-7800 or deborah.guillory@lamar.edu.

  • How does the work-study program work?

    Eligible students are offered a generic work-study award, which may vary per student. The generic award helps students market themselves for work-study positions.

    Work-study does not pay for a student’s tuition and fees; nor does it get disbursed with other financial aid awards. Students earn their work-study award through part-time student employment on or off campus and receive a paycheck for their time.

  • What semesters can I work?

    Students are able to work during the semesters in which they are enrolled at least half-time status. If you withdraw from all your classes or stop attending classes, you will no longer be able to work as a work-study student, since enrollment is required throughout the duration of employment.

    During the summer, students are eligible for work-study, if funds are available. Students must be enrolled at least half-time during the summer semesters they intend to work.

    Employment dates generally extend through the regular academic semesters. Keep in mind that holidays, university closings, and graduating semesters may influence the employment periods.

    Fall 2023 - Spring 2024:
    09-01-2023 to 05-09-2024

    Fall 2023 Semester:
    09-01-2023 to 12-07-2023

    Spring 2024 Semester:
    01-11-2024 to 05-09-2024

    Summer 2024 Semester:
    05-30-2024 to 08-01-2024

    ***Students must be enrolled in six or more hours for Summer.***

  • How do I find a work-study job?

    Work study positions are posted through the Human Resources office; you can browse available postings at https://jobs.lamar.edu.

     

  •  What happens if I can’t find a job?

    Just like a real job, sometimes there are simply not many positions available. If you are not able to find a work-study position, the Human Resources office may have other student employment positions available.

    Having a work-study award DOES NOT guarantee that you will find a job - it just means that you are eligible to receive the funding.

    If you are unable to obtain employment, the work-study award will be canceled after 30 days of the first class day. However, you may always refer to the work study form online to request work-study funds again, if available.

  • I’ve been offered a work-study job. What do I do now?

    Once you have been offered a work-study job, the hiring department will submit a request for hire, called a Personnel Action Form. This multistep process requires Student Employment, Financial Aid, and Human Resources to review student eligibility.

    At this point, the department may begin to coordinate a work schedule and give you an expected date to begin working. New hires will be required to complete a Criminal Background Check and I-9 employment authorization from, as well as additional On-Boarding documents. Be sure to monitor your Lamar University email and have two valid forms of ID (Birth certificate, Passport, Social Security Card, State ID or Driver’s License) ready to turn in at Human Resources. Please keep in mind that Human Resources must give the final approval before you begin your first day of work.

  • How many hours can I work now that I have a work-study job?

    All hourly employees can work no more than 20 hours per week. You and your supervisor will establish your schedule. The number of hours you can work during your employment depends on your work-study award and your pay rate.

    For example:

    If your work-study award is $4,000 for the Fall and Spring semesters combined and you are getting paid at $10.00 per hour, then you will have 400 hours to work between the Fall and Spring semesters. The $4,000 award is a projection of how much you could earn, and not an indication of how much you will earn: that depends on how many hours you are able to work.

    $4,000 ÷ $10.00 𝑝𝑒𝑟 hour = 400 𝑟𝑠

    It is important to know that you should not work more than your work-study award on a semester or annual basis. Doing so can negatively impact your other financial aid awards since your work-study earnings must fit within your financial aid COA.

  • How do I get paid?

    Students are paid on a bi-weekly basis by submitting their timecard through Self Service Banner. To input your hours:

    1. Log into your Self-Service Banner account
    2. Choose the pay period from the drop-down menu and click the time sheet button. Once the time sheet box appears, find the correct date and click enter hours.
    3. Input the time in and out per shift and click the save button. Continue to enter hours as needed for each day.

    Time sheets must be submitted by the end of each pay period. For submission due dates, reference the payroll schedule under forms.

  • What happens if I didn't get paid?

    If you weren't paid on the due date, make sure your time sheet was submitted and approved by 5 p.m. of the due date. If your time sheet was not submitted and/or approved by the due date, Payroll will process it in the next pay period. If you have additional questions, contact the Payroll Office at (409) 880-8000 or https://www.lamar.edu/finance-and-operations/financial-services/payroll/index.html.

  • What happens if I decide to quit or transfer to another department?

    If you decide to quit or transfer your position, it is customary to provide a two weeks’ notice to your supervisor. This will help make sure that your resignation or transfer is processed within ample time.

    Additionally, if you are transferring, the remaining award is what will be available to earn in the new department.

    For example:

    If you were awarded $ 4,000 in your work-study award and you have earned $2,436 in Department A, you will have $1,564 available to earn in Department B.

    $4,000 − $2,436 = $1,564

  • What happens if I earn more than my award?

    If you earn more than you are awarded it could affect your other financial aid, it’s best to check with the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid before proceeding! In some cases, earning more than the work-study award may cause a student to be over-awarded. An over-award means that the student has more financial aid than what their Cost of Attendance or Financial Need allows for. If there is an over-award, it is possible that other financial aid may be reduced to accommodate the work-study earnings.

    Therefore, it is imperative that both student and supervisor monitor their status as diligently as possible.

    If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Deborah Guillory at the following:

    Deborah Guillory
    Lamar University
    Financial Aid Specialist Sr
    Beaumont, TX
    (409) 880-7800
    Deborah.guillory@lamar.edu 

  • Is work-study offered in the summer?

    If you received work-study in the Spring, you may apply for work-study in the Summer.  Simply fill out the Work-Study Request form and submit to the Financial Aid Office.  

    Learn more about summer aid.

For Supervisors

  • What is work study?

    We welcome and encourage every department to participate in the work study program. Work study is a need-based program that allows students to work while attending school to help pay for their educational expenses. Students must be at least half-time and complete a FAFSA for the applicable aid year to receive work study. This program is awarded to undergraduate and graduate students.

    Half-Time enrollment is defined as 6 credit hours for an undergraduate and 4.5 credit hours for a graduate student. 

  • How many hours can students work?

    Students can work up to 20 hours per week. 

  • What is the pay rate for work study?

    All work study students are paid $10.00 per hour.

    Students are paid Bi-Weekly based on the payroll calendar.

  • Can work study students work in more than one Work-Study Position?

    Yes, students cannot exceed 20 hours per week. (Ex. Student works in Library 10 hours per week and Student Center 10 hours per week, at the end of each week student cannot exceed 20 hours. Supervisors must monitor students time). 

  • How do I know if a student is work study eligible?

    Please have students to provide a copy of their work study award statement. This is helpful before completing a Personnel Action Form. If a Personnel Action Form is received and student(s) have not accepted their funds, the Personnel Action Form will be returned to the hiring department. At the beginning of each month a statement will be emailed to each department with an estimated balance for each student in your department.

     ***If a department would like to verify that a student qualifies for work study, please contact our office financialaid@lamar.edu or Deborah Guillory (409)880-7800 or deborah.guillory@lamar.edu

  • Where are the job postings located?

    Work study positions will go through Human Resources Office and be posted at https://jobs.lamar.edu.

  • What are the work study start and end dates?

    Work Study Start and End Dates

    Fall 2023 - Spring 2024:
    09-01-2023 to 05-09-2024

    Fall 2023 Semester:
    09-01-2023 to 12-07-2023

    Spring 2024 Semester:
    01-11-2024 to 05-09-2024

    Summer 2024 Semester:
    05-30-2024 to 08-01-2024

    NOTE: If a student is returning to work before the first day of Spring classes, they must be enrolled at least half-time resuming work.

    ***Students must be enrolled in six or more hours for Summer.***

  • Who should I contact if I have questions?


    If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Deborah Guillory:

    Deborah Guillory

    Lamar University

    Financial Aid Specialist Sr

    Beaumont, TX

    (409) 880-7800

    Deborah.guillory@lamar.edu 

     

    Resources

    Studentaid.gov