The Federal Workstudy Program provides jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses.

What are the benefits of Federal Workstudy?

• One of the best things about working in a Federal Workstudy job is that you and your supervisor can work out a schedule together each term that will fit around your classes. Use the Trial Class Schedule to develop a work schedule with your supervisor.
• You may be able to find a job that is related to your field of study and receive college credit for the hours you work. Contact Joanie Weatherly at 503 338-2480 for further information on Work Experience. In addition, your work is an important and valuable experience that may be of real value to you in the future.
• You gain valuable work experience and a solid reference which you can use on a future resume.
• Unlike earnings from other jobs, Federal Workstudy is not counted in your Adjusted Gross Income when calculating your eligibility for financial aid the next year. This makes you eligible for more need-based aid than if you work for a private employer.
• Studies show students engaged in work study while attending college have a higher academic success rate.
• You receive a monthly pay check for the hours you have worked.
• Work study allows you to earn money for college instead of acquiring debt from student loans that will have to be paid back.

How much can I earn?
Amounts vary at Clatsop. Up to $3,615 annually ($1,205 a term) can be earned, depending on need and enrollment status. As with FSEOG funds, not all eligible students are guaranteed to receive Workstudy. Students are awarded based on availability of funding, on a first-come, first-served basis. Look on your financial aid award letter under “Other Awards” for your Federal Workstudy award amount to see how much is available to you to earn each term.

Workstudy wages are paid monthly based on the number of hours you work each month. You may choose to work fewer hours than you have available, but the amount you earn each term cannot exceed your total award for the term as indicated on your award letter. The hourly wage rate for working on campus is $9.00, for off-campus, $9.50, and $11.00 for students working as tutors.

How do I find a job?
If you are a first-time Freshman and have been awarded work-study as a portion of your financial aid award, you will need to attend a workshop prior to the start of Fall term.  You will receive a postcard with the dates and times of these workshops in late August or early September. At this workshop you will learn how the program works and what the requirements are.  You will receive a jobs list and the employment forms that need to be completed.  You should bring items of identification (passport or current picture ID and Social Security card or birth certificate) if you wish to complete forms at the workshop.  (the CCC ID card is not valid for employment.)  Returning students and those starting in Winter or Spring terms will need to come to the Financial Aid Office for the work-study information.The jobs list will be updated as jobs change or get added only on line.  You need to look through this list to find a job you are interested in.  On-campus jobs are listed first and off-campus jobs follow.  Locations, supervisor names and contact numbers are given along with job descriptions and hours available.  Pick a job or jobs you might like to do and contact the supervisor to schedule a time for an interview.  Take your award letter with you to the interview so you can determine how many hours you can work (your term award divided by the hourly wage rate).

You got the job--Congratulations!
If you have not already done it, you will need to complete the W-4, and I-9 forms and submit them to the Financial Aid Office.  You will need to bring your forms of ID as described above.   You will also be asked to sign a drug statement and a FERPA declaration.  The Financial Aid staff will fill out a Payroll Authorization form for you to take to your supervisor for their signature.  Once you return this signed document, you will receive your first timesheet.

How do I get paid?
Keep track of your hours each day you work on the Federal Work-Study timesheet, one for each month.  A schedule of pay periods is listed on the timesheet with the due dates and pay dates.  It is your responsibility to submit your timesheet to your supervisor by the due date each month.  The supervisor will turn the signed timesheet in to the Financial Aid Office.  If a student wishes to turn in the signed timesheet, the supervisor must put it in a sealed envelope and sign the seal.  Open timesheets will not be accepted from a student.  You have the option of having your work-study paycheck deposited electronically in your checking or savings account or it can be mailed to you.  See the Financial Aid Office for a electronic deposit form.

Payroll Draw. You may take a mid-month draw of up to 75% of the total amount of money due you for the hours you have already worked. Complete a Draw Request Form and submit it to the Payroll Office by the 10th of the month in order to receive a check on the 15th of the month.

Overtime. Workstudy students are not allowed to work overtime. This means that you cannot work more than 40 hours in one week.