Financial aid packages at Northwestern contain a lot of components, from grants to scholarships to loans. One of those components is work-study. Those words (and their lack of explanation) may be confusing at first. Here are some commonly asked questions about the work-study program that can help demystify it before you get to campus. 

 What is work-study?

The work-study program was created in 1964 by Congress to help students earn money for college. The program also encourages participants to gain work experience for future employment and make connections within their universities. Essentially, wages from your work-study job count as part of your financial aid package, and the money you earn throughout the year is a part of your financial aid. 

How do I know if I have it? 

A work-study allotment, if you have one, can be found in your financial aid award in CAESAR. It’s treated as an award that you have to accept or decline, so make sure to accept it if you’ve decided to search for a work-study job. 

Do I need to get a job myself? 

Yes, Northwestern will start posting work-study jobs for this fall on August 15. Jobs are posted by individual departments, but they all count as work-study. Feel free to apply to as many jobs as you want, but keep in mind the kind of job you’re looking for and what might suit you. 

What kind of jobs are available? 

Work-study jobs can vary from year to year, but past employers at NU include the libraries, athletics and recreation, the IT department and the Block Museum. Duties can vary from helping library patrons to assisting with office hours, so there’s likely a position that suits your interests and experience. 

Can I get a job off-campus and count it for work study?

Yes — sometimes. Programs like America Reads or JumpStart, which tutor young children in reading and prepare them for school, are established as partners with the federal work-study program. They operate outside of the university, but if you contact the work-study department, you can count that position as a work-study job. However, if you want to work a job outside NU and count it as a work-study position, it’s best to contact the work-study office first, as there are specifications that have to be met 

What is an allotment? What happens if I make more money than my allotment? 

Your allotment in your financial aid award is the maximum amount of money you are permitted to earn through work-study. If you earn over the amount allotted, or are projected to earn more than that by the end of school year, your department can switch your capacity from a work-study student to a temporary employee, and you can continue earning money. 

Okay, so where does the money actually go? 

When I first got my work-study job, I thought the money would go straight into paying off my tuition. Thankfully, that’s not what happens: you’re paid directly, and many students use the money from work-study as extra funds to pay for expenses like groceries while they’re studying.

Will it be fun? And can I actually study while I work? 

That depends on your job. The beauty of the work-study position is that everyone has different experiences. At some positions, you are absolutely allowed to do homework during downtime. As for fun, that’s also not a guarantee, but it’s pretty likely. Many positions offer the opportunity to learn more about the systems that make up a part of our university.  

Ultimately, work-study is about earning money, but it’s also a great chance to learn more about NU, meet people you wouldn’t otherwise and get a glimpse into the ways NU works behind the scenes. 

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @MikaEllison23

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