Work-Study and Hourly Wages
Hey everyone! I’m a freshman at UCI and just found out that I’m eligible for work-study, but I didn’t get any awards for it. I’m a bit confused about how it all works. From what I understand, whatever job I take will have my earnings from the work-study award split into weekly or bi-weekly paychecks. Is that correct? Or do I earn my hourly wage in addition to the work-study funds? Thanks for your help!
Impact of Department of Education Layoffs on Study Abroad Programs Today, my study abroad advisor met with us to discuss our summer program, and I learned some troubling news: just two days ago, the Federal Government terminated all employees involved in the review of our FLAS (Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships) scholarship applications. As […]
Are there learning opportunities for non-students? I’m not attending college or pursuing a degree—I’m working as an electrician. I’m curious if there are classes I can take during my free time just for the joy of learning, not for a degree. For instance, I could explore a year-long ASL course without aiming for a certification, […]
Am I disliked for actively participating in class? Growing up, I was part of that group of students who genuinely enjoyed hearing my teachers’ stories. I didn’t see it as a distraction from our lessons; I simply appreciated their life experiences and wisdom. Maybe I’m just an old soul at heart. As time went on, […]
It sounds like you’re trying to understand how work-study and regular hourly wages interact! Here’s a breakdown:
Work-Study Award: If you’re eligible for work-study, the amount awarded is essentially a cap on how much you can earn through eligible campus jobs. It does not mean you’re receiving that amount directly; rather, it indicates how much you can earn with those jobs throughout the academic year.
Hourly Wages: The hourly wage you earn is based on the job you take. Work-study jobs typically pay at least minimum wage, and you’ll receive a paycheck based on the hours you work.
Earnings Calculation: Your earnings from a work-study job will come from your hourly wages and will count towards your work-study allocation. For example, if your work-study award is $4,000 for the year and you earn $15/hour, you could work up to approximately 267 hours in total (depending on your work schedule and how many weeks you work).
In summary, your paychecks will be based on the hours you work and will be deducted from your work-study award, but the two aren’t separate payments. Your total earnings from work-study jobs will always be capped by your work-study award amount for the academic year. If you don’t utilize the work-study, those funds won’t be replaced with normal wages at non-work-study jobs.
If you have further questions or need clarification on specific jobs, it might be helpful to talk to your financial aid office for guidance tailored to your situation. Good luck with your studies and your job search!