Student Employment
Federal Work Study is available to students who qualify based on financial need. Stetson University often has openings on campus for students to work. Students may fill positions only if they are eligible for Federal Work Study.
Securing Your Job Placement
When reviewing your financial aid award if you qualify for Federal Work Study you need to take the following steps in order to secure your job placement:
Students New to Work Study
Students who are new to work study will receive notification that they are qualified for student employment. However, funds are limited and students who do not accept their offered award may lose the ability to work on campus. All open Federal Work Study positions can be found on Stetson's open positions website. Each student must complete the free registration on the website before they are able to view open positions. Application instructions are at the bottom of each open job description. If the student receives a job offer from a student employment supervisor, the student must come to the Office of Financial Aid to complete the necessary documents before they will be authorized to begin employment.
Returning students who have previously worked under student employment are required to sign only the student employment agreement form with their supervisor. At this time it would be beneficial to schedule hours to work.
Any change in enrollment status (e.g., enrolling less than full-time) or employment status (such as a change in department, position or hourly wage) must be reported to the Office of Financial Aid. Failure to do so may result in cancellation of the student's Federal Work Study award.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anyone participate in the Federal Work Study program?
All full time students, U.S. citizens and permanent residents who have filed the FAFSA and have been found eligible for federal financial aid will be offered Federal Work Study if unmet need still remains.
How can I check to see if I was awarded Federal Work Study?
My Stetson is an excellent resource for accessing up-to-date information regarding your financial aid package. You are also welcome to stop by the Office of Financial Aid (located in Griffith Hall) to speak with a counselor directly.
How is eligibility determined?
Before you can be awarded Federal Work Study, you must complete the FAFSA that corresponds with the academic year for which you wish to receive aid. The FAFSA determines, based on the information you provide, whether or not you are eligible.
If I was awarded Federal Work Study last year, does this mean I will be awarded it this year?
Not necessarily. You must complete a FAFSA every year because your eligibility for aid may change from year to year. Because the parents' or students' income may fluctuate each year, so can eligibility.
Are work study jobs assigned to me?
Returning students have the responsibility of finding and interviewing for jobs on campus and completing an authorization form (see below). All incoming first-year students will be placed by the Office of Financial Aid in remaining positions.
Am I guaranteed a job?
No. It is the responsibility of returning students to apply and interview for jobs. First-year students will fill any remaining positions.
Are there any forms I need to complete?
Initially, students must complete the FAFSA to determine eligibility. Eligible incoming students must fill out IRS forms I-9 and W-4 and submit them to the Office of Human Resources, located in Elizabeth Hall room 111, immediately upon arriving on campus. Returning students must take an authorization form to be signed by the department of employment, by the Office of Human Resources confirming the above federal forms are complete and by the student confirming that the information is correct. The authorization form must then be brought to the Office of Financial Aid for hire. Authorization forms are sent to returning students over the summer. If you have received Federal Work Study on your award and are a returning student, but did not receive an authorization form, please come to the Office of Financial Aid.
If I am awarded Federal Work Study, am I required to work?
No. You are offered Federal Work Study, but you may either accept or decline. You may even opt to take advantage of the program for only one semester. It is up to you to decide.
If I am awarded Federal Work Study and choose not to work, will my student account balance be negatively affected?
No. Your account balance is not affected if you choose to decline Federal Work Study.
Can I decide how my earnings are paid?
You can decide to either receive a paycheck for your earnings or credit your earnings to your student account to help pay toward your balance. If you choose to receive a check, you will receive it on the fifteenth of every month in your campus mail box. If you would rather the money go toward your account balance, you will need to complete a non-benefit deduction form in the Office of Human Resources, located in Elizabeth Hall room 111.
How much can I work?
When you log on to My Stetson and are offered Federal Work Study, you will see the total award amount. Generally, Federal Work Study is offered in amounts of $2,000 for the year, broken down to $1,000 each semester. You take the amount you are offered, divide it by how many weeks there are (15 per semester or 30 for the year) and divide that amount by your hourly pay rate. The remaining number is the average amount of hours you must work each week in order to earn the full award amount. It is up to you to earn the maximum award, but you cannot work more!
How often will I be paid?
Paychecks are placed in the student's campus mail box on the fifteenth of every month. If you have decided to have your earnings go directly to your student account, you will receive your pay stub in your mailbox.
Are all work study jobs on campus?
No. Most Federal Work Study jobs are on campus, but there are some community service opportunities off campus, such as tutoring at local elementary schools.
What is the average hourly pay rate for Federal Work Study jobs?
Most students earn minimum wage. There are very few exceptions made for students that have specialized skills, such as tutors, programmers and co-teachers.
Can I receive a raise?
If you have stayed with a department for at least one year, you may receive a wage increase of $0.10 for the next year. This increase will only be made if your supervisor suggests or approves it.