What is Work Study?

Work study is a program that provides the opportunity for students, age 18 or older, to earn money while gaining work experience. It can provide some regular monthly income to help offset educational expenses and reduce loan debt.

Work study is a need-based financial aid award. You must apply (and be determined eligible) for financial aid to receive work study. Funding is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. These students may sign up on a wait list. Work study is not a grant. You must work to earn it.

Spokane Community College offers both federal and state work study. Federal work study is generally awarded to students entering or completing their first year. State work study is typically awarded to second-year students who are placed in jobs requiring high skill levels. Jobs are located both on and off campus. Because both federal and state work study funds are limited, many eligible students cannot be initially funded.

Institutional student employment is for students who are not eligible through financial aid but are paid through department budgets for special skills needed by the department.

Athletic work study is awarded to athletes through the Athletic Department. Check with your coach to see if you are eligible.

International work study is limited to international students. This type of work study employment is on-campus only and must be authorized through the International Student Office.

Work Study Orientation

The Work Study Workshops cover:

• The goals of student work programs
• Policies and procedures for students
• The referral process
• Monitoring earnings/hours
• Time sheets
• Terminations
• Working breaks
• Standards of academic achievement
• Satisfactory Academic Policy

ALL students who receive their award letter MUST attend one of the workshops offered if they are accepting their award. If you are not awarded work study in initial awarding, and you have checked that you are interested in work study on your FAFSA, you must contact the Work Study Office to be placed on a waiting list to be used in the event that funds become available.

Failure to attend a workshop or contact the Work Study Office will result in the loss of your work study award for the academic year. If you lose your work study eligibility you may contact the Work Study Office to be placed on a waiting list for "first come, first served" funding in the event funds become available.