The Student Employment Program at Webster is available only at the St. Louis campus and provides part-time jobs to help students meet educational expenses. Students with demonstrated financial need at Webster University may access Federal Work Study, Federal Community Service Work Study, and Webster Work Study. Career Services also assists students who are not eligible to receive a work study award find part-time on-campus employment.

Eligibility

You are eligible to be employed in the Work Study Program if you have done all the following:

• You have been accepted for admission and plan to enroll at the St. Louis campus at least half-time.
• You have completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) indicating you are interested in the Work Study Program. If Webster University is not listed as a school choice, submit the Student Aid Report (SAR) to the Financial Aid Office in St. Louis for evaluation.
• You have completed the Webster University Financial Aid Form indicating that you want work study as part of your financial aid award.
• You have received an award letter from the Financial Aid Office in St. Louis which included an award for Federal Work Study or Webster University Work Study.

You are eligible to be employed in the Federal Community Service Work Study Program if you have done all the following:

• You have been accepted for admission and plan to enroll at least half-time.
• You have completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) indicating you are interested in the Work Study program. If Webster University is not listed as a school choice, submit the Student Aid Report (SAR) to the Financial Aid Office in St. Louis for evaluation.
• You have completed the Webster University Financial Aid Form indicating that you want work-study as part of your financial aid award.
• You have received an award letter from the Financial Aid Office in St. Louis which included an award for Federal work-study or Webster University work study.

You are eligible to be employed on campus if you have done all the following:

• You have been accepted for admission and plan to enroll at least half-time.
• You have been hired by an on campus department to work part-time.
• You have completed the necessary authorization forms, W-4, and Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9) in the Student Employment Aid Office in St. Louis.

How do I find a position?

After receiving an award letter which includes work study, students are sent another letter by Career Services inquiring as to whether they intend to use your work study award for the upcoming year. Once you have indicated that you do intend to use your work study, you may start applying for student employment positions on-campus or through community service. Many supervisors register available positions with Career Services and these jobs are posted on the web at http://www.webster.edu/homecampus/homes/studentEmployment.html. You may also wish to check with individual departments, staff members, and professors for part-time on-campus employment opportunities that are not posted on the student employment web site.

Once you find a position on campus, visit Career Services to complete new student employment paperwork or confirm that you have all required paperwork on file. This includes:

1. Federal and Missouri W-4.
2. Copies of identification which confirm your eligibility to work in the U.S.
3. I-9 form.
4. Student Employment Authorization form (only form required for each year and each position you work on-campus).

You must have all paperwork completed to the satisfaction of the Career Services staff before you may begin working.

If you are not eligible for a work study award but are interested in working on-campus through budget student employment, these positions are also posted on the student employment web site. Many of these “budget” positions have been filled by October each year, so interested students should apply as early as possible over the summer and early fall for these jobs.

What are the pay rates and work hours?

• Hourly pay rates begin at $6.25 per hour and vary based upon the requirements of the job
• Jobs are part-time. Student employees may not work more than 20 hours per week while classes are in session. During periods of non-enrollment (Holiday Break, Summer Interim, Fall Break, and Spring Break) you may work more hours; however, your earnings may be subject to FICA taxes. Student employees may not work during a scheduled class period.
• Work study students may not earn more than the amount of their work study award specified on their award letter. Based on the student's award and hourly pay rate, this may restrict the number of hours a student may work. Students are not allowed to work after the end of an award period.
• Working hours on campus are flexible to work with your class schedule. Evening, weekend, and night hours are available in some positions.

How will I be paid?

• Your work-study award must be earned. If you have been awarded work-study and cannot work or if you do not want to participate in the work study program, please contact the Financial Aid Office in St. Louis to cancel your award.
• Student employees are paid by the hour on a bi-weekly basis. Time sheets should be submitted in accordance with the posted payroll schedule.
• Checks are held in the Business Office in St. Louis for pick up on the designated bi-weekly pay date.
• If you wish to have part or all of your earnings directly applied to your student account, please ask for a ‘payroll deduction form’ when you complete and submit all other student employment paperwork to Career Services.

Terms of employment

Student employment provides temporary, part-time employment. The work study award is given to help meet educational expenses including tuition and fees and does not provide a sole source of financial support. If you find that you are unable to meet your educational and living expenses, contact your Financial Aid Counselor for possible alternatives. You may contact Career Services for assistance with permanent employment off-campus.

When you are hired, your supervisor should fully explain the job duties, starting pay rate, student rights and responsibilities, and departmental policies. You should arrange a satisfactory work schedule with your supervisor. If you have work study be sure to consistently work the number of hours that will allow you to earn your entire work study award. Student employees are not entitled to paid vacations, holidays, sick pay, or leave of absence. Students are paid only for time worked, and changes in work schedule due to illness, vacations, exam schedules, or course requirements should be arranged in advance with the supervisor.

Student employees, as with all university employees, represent the University to other students, staff, faculty, and the public, and are expected to maintain behavior appropriate to their position. Student employment requires a commitment from the participating student of time, dedication, and enthusiasm. Both student employees and supervisors benefit from this rewarding and productive experience.