Work-study awards are a form of financial aid that is available to undergraduate and graduate students with financial need. You must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for a work-study award. Work-study awards are included in your Financial Aid Notice.
Note: Work-study is not guaranteed; you must first apply for a position, be offered the position, and accept the position.
How to receive a work-study award
Work-study funds do not disburse automatically to your student account. You must obtain a work-study job at the University to receive work-study funds. You receive your work-study award through your work-study job in the form of a paycheck distributed every two weeks.
You may be awarded work-study if you:
- Indicated an interest in work-study employment on your FAFSA
- Qualify for need-based aid, which is determined by your FAFSA results
- Are enrolled at least half-time
Graduate and professional students
If you are a graduate or professional school student, you will be awarded work-study upon request if you have need-based eligibility and will be enrolled at least half-time. Any undergraduate, graduate, or professional school student who has been awarded work-study in prior years will continue to be awarded work-study as long as you meet necessary criteria.
Receiving a work-study award by working at the University
If you plan on working at the University, you must complete an I-9 form by providing documentation that proves your identity and your eligibility to work. A list of acceptable documents is available on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website. Photocopies of official documents will not be accepted.
Work-Study Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I was offered a work-study award?
View the visual guide for how to view and respond to your financial aid awards. If you are being offered work-study, you will be able to see it offered on your financial aid package through MyU.
How do I accept my work-study award on my financial aid package?
View the visual guide for how to view and respond to your financial aid awards.
What if I don't have work-study offered in my financial aid package? Can I get it offered to me?
Contact One Stop Student Services to review your eligibility for work-study.
What happens if I don't use my work-study award, or only use a portion of what is offered to me?
There is no negative consequence if you use less or don't use any of your work-study funds offered to you.
What happens if I use all of my work-study award?
Please carefully monitor your work-study award amount and the number of hours you are working at your work-study job(s). If you are getting close to using up your entire award, please consult with your supervisor. You may be asked to reduce your work hours so that you do not exceed your work-study amount. If you are unsure of how many hours you should be working to stay within your work-study award amount, you and your supervisor can contact the UMR Student Employment Office ([email protected]) for guidance.
Can I split my work-study offer between multiple jobs?
If one of your work-study jobs does not require a work award (ex. UAA, etc.) you can choose to designate more or all of your award to another work-study job (for the purpose of being able to work more hours at a job where work-study is required). Be sure to consult your supervisors first before adjusting any of your work-study award amounts.
To make this request, email the UMR Student Employment Office ([email protected]) and indicate the amount of your work award that you would like to designate to each work-study position, or if you would like to designate your entire award to one position and none to the other. It is critical that you confirm this with your supervisor making any requests to HR.
What is a Work-Study Referral Form and how do I get one?
Off-campus work-study opportunities require proof of your work-study award. If you are interested in applying to one of these jobs, please contact UMR Student Employment ([email protected]) with your full name, student ID number and the job opening ID number of the job you wish to apply to. To find the job opening ID number, log into your MyU and choose “student jobs.”
If you are applying to multiple off-campus work-study jobs, you must request a separate Work-Study Referral Form for each off-campus work-study job.
How do I find a work-study job?
Go to the University of Minnesota Student Jobs website: https://hr.umn.edu/applicant-center/student-jobs/find-student-job and click “Student Jobs”. Filter the location to Rochester jobs. Jobs that require work study will indicate so in the job posting.
Additional Questions?
If you are interested in a work-study position but were not granted work-study on your Financial Aid Notice, contact One Stop Student Services.
Information on student employment
Information on student employment at the University of Minnesota is available on the University’s Office of Human Resources website.