Federal Work Study & Student Employment

Student employment can be need based or not. Regardless of which type of on-campus employment you seek, it is a great way to help pay for your educational expenses. Learn about Federal Work Study and other on-campus employment opportunities.

Student Wage Rates Hours Limitations Begin the Work-Study Process

Federal Work Study is a federally funded, need-based employment program that requires you to fill out the FAFSA. If eligible, you can earn income by working part-time with approved work study employers. Work study positions are based on financial need, availability of federal work study funds, and job availability. There are work study opportunities both on and off campus.

Other on-campus employment is also available, and because it is not need-based, it does not require a FAFSA.

Quick Reference

  1. You are expected to find, apply, and interview for job openings yourself–a position is not guaranteed even if it is part of your financial aid offer. It is up to you to obtain a position that best fits your skills, interest and class schedule.
  2. You will be paid bi-weekly via direct deposit or check depending on your preference. This income is paid to you directly, and will not be automatically applied as part of your student billing account.
  3. The hourly rate of pay is at least minimum wage but can vary depending on the skills or experience required for the job.
  4. On average, students work 6 – 10 hours per week.
  5. Although student employment may show on your financial aid offer, it is only an estimate of your anticipated earnings and will vary depending on pay and hours worked.
students at Leahy Center work on am IT problem

Advantages of Student Employment

Gain work experience for your resume

Champlain College prioritizes hands-on experiences for our students. For this reason, you can often find work study and on-campus employment that is related to your major.

Flexible work schedule

You are a student first and employee second. Your academic life will always take first priority and you will never be expected to work long hours at the expense of your academics.

Build your work history

Even if your work study or on-campus employment isn’t related to your area of study, you can build skills that are valuable to employers. Students who have job experience and who have worked while attending school are more attractive to future employers.

Hours Limitations

Because you are a student first, we recommend you work 6-10 hours a week per position, and 20 hours per week from all combined jobs.

However, over College breaks, you may work a maximum of 37.5 hours per week if approved by your supervisor(s). No student may work more than 37.5 hours per week at any time.

Student Wage Rates

Student Level 1 Student Level 2 Student Level 3 Student Level 4
$13.70/hr $13.95/hr $14.20/hr $14.45/hr

Note: Rates are subject to change as of the first of each year.

Handshake

Use Handshake to search available jobs.

Login to Handshake

student smiling laptop

Are you interested in being considered for work-study?

When you fill out the FAFSA, you’ll be required to answer this question. We recommend that you answer “yes” even if you are unsure at the time. That way, if you change your mind or your financial situation changes, your eligibility is already approved.

If you already answered “no,” but you now want to apply to a FWS position, contact the Office of Financial Aid for guidance. Depending on availability of funds, you may still be eligible for work study funding.

Federal Work Study Contract Dates

Contract dates begin on the first day of classes and extend to the last day of final exams in the spring semester (or the last day of final exams in the fall if you are a December graduate/not returning to the College in the spring).

2023-24 Contract Dates
Full Year August 28, 2023 through May 3, 2024
Fall Only August 28, 2023 through December 15, 2023 (if a December grad or not enrolling for the spring term)
Spring Only January 15, 2023 through May 3, 2024

Getting Ready for Your Work-Study Job

If you’ve been awarded Federal Work-Study as part of your Financial Aid Award package, please read and follow these steps to begin the work-study process.

  • All communication about the Federal Work-Study Program will arrive via email to your Champlain College MyMail account.

  • Use Handshake to search available jobs. Detailed, step-by-step instructions for logging into and using Handshake will be sent to your Champlain MyMail account in mid-August.

  • Once you’ve been hired, you’ll receive an email from the People Center, the College’s hiring and time-entry system, and HireRight. You must follow the HireRight email’s instructions to complete the online section of the federal I-9 form. Once complete, bring required original identification documents to Compass Student Services to finish the I-9. All other onboarding tasks in Oracle must be completed on the first day of work.

  • In order to complete your I-9 form, the Department of Homeland Security requires a specific ID that establishes both identity and employment authorization. Review this list of acceptable identification and bring it with you to campus; photocopies are not accepted. You will not be able to begin work without this ID.

  • You and your supervisor will receive an email from the People Center stating that you may begin to work. Do not start working until you receive this email. If you do not receive this email within three business days of being hired, contact your supervisor.

Student Employment Team

Financial Aid/Federal Work-Study

Molly Pepper

  • Ensures federal work-study compliance
  • Manages federal work-study agreement contracts with off-campus employers
  • Approves new job positions (work-study & part-time student employment)
  • Provides training opportunities to supervisors
  • Approves federal work-study new hires in Oracle

MPEPPER@CHAMPLAIN.EDU

Career Collaborative

Ethan Garhartt

  • Posts open student employee jobs on Handshake
  • Assists with recruitment and selection process
  • Provides training opportunities to supervisors of student employees
  • Assists student employees and supervisors job match

EGARTHARTT@CHAMPLAIN.EDU

People Center

Ashley Taylor

  • Processes I-9
  • Payroll
  • Processes new positions in Oracle
  • Hires student employees in Oracle
  • Provides training opportunities to supervisors
  • Manages student summer employment (part-time)

ataylor01@champlain.edu

Office of Financial Aid

Location

Physical Address:
Perry Hall
251 South Willard Street
Burlington, VT 05401

Mailing Address:
163 South Willard Street
Burlington, VT 05401

Office Hours

Monday–Friday
9:00 AM–4:30 PM

Contact Us