Use Work-Study to Your Advantage

One college financial aid award offered to many students will allow for earned monies. It’s called the Federal Work-Study Program. This program involves student jobs and positions on campus where you get paid per hour. 

Money earned can be used to help pay tuition or to pay for miscellaneous living expenses. Students can take advantage of a wide variety of campus positions available.

Target a Preferred Position

What many students do not realize when seeking on-campus employment is that these  experiences can prove very important in several aspects of their career.  Finding available jobs related to the student’s major course of study can help the student employee gain invaluable experience in the field. That experience, especially from an institution of higher learning, could prove to be the difference when applying for a job after graduation. Conversely, it could also show a student that this specific job is not what they would want to do in the future.

Apply Early

Work-Study jobs on many campuses go quickly. Upperclassmen have the advantage of being able to secure the job at the end of the previous school year or continue in positions from the prior year. While the Financial Aid Office may have information on open positions, it will be up to the student to do the legwork of finding the right fit.  Use the summer and the time just before fall classes begin to apply for open on-campus jobs.

Have Fun & Think Ahead

Campus-based employment gives students even greater contact with the college community and adds a potential social outlet for networking and friendship.  Once employed, students shouldn’t be afraid to learn about other jobs to potentially apply for in the future. There could be something that is an even better fit or provides better experience for the student’s future career.