Using Your Work-Study Award

Learn about  Financial Aid  at UC San Diego.

What is work-study?
Work-study is awarded by the Financial Aid Office as part of your financial aid package .  It allows you to earn money for your educational and other expenses. It does not pay your tuition.  To determine if you have an award, review your Award Notification on  TritonLink .

What requirements must I meet to participate in the work-study programs?
For both of the programs, you must:

• be a UC San Diego undergraduate student enrolled in a minimum of 6 units;
• demonstrate satisfactory academic progress in a program leading to a degree, according to federal standards;
• have been offered and officially accepted a work-study award for the current academic year.

How do I use my work-study?
Most   campus departments and some off-campus agencies employ students with work-study.  Take a printout of your award letter to the job interview.  If you already work on-campus, notify the timekeeper that you would like to use your award.

What work-study programs are available to me?
There are two programs offered to students at UC San Diego.

Federal Program -  funded by the Federal government; educationally-related and/or community service positions that are on-campus or with local nonprofit, governmental or community-based organizations.

Reading/Math Tutoring Program -  funded by the Federal government; work as a reading tutor with pre-K through 6th grade students and/or family literacy programs or as a math tutor, K through 9th grades. Both assist schoolchildren in developing or improving their reading and/or math skills and are with school districts and other nonprofit agencies.

How do I create a work-study job?
If you would like to use your work-study award in your current job or if you would like to work for a particular nonprofit employer or campus department, contact the appropriate coordinator below in the "Where may I obtain assistance" section.

How do I view available on-campus positions?
In  Port Triton , use the Advanced Search tab in Position Type and search by: On-Campus, On-Campus: Work Study Required and/or Off-Campus: Work Study Required.

How is a work-study job different from a "regular" job?
It is the same as a "regular" job. You work hours and receive a paycheck. The Federal government pays a portion of your wages and the employing department pays the other portion.

Do I get a check for the amount shown on my Award notification?
Once you are working, you submit hours worked and receive a paycheck for those hours. You can earn up to the dollar amount of your work-study award.  Once the award amount has been earned, it is up to the employing department to determine if your job will continue.

Does work-study guarantee that I will get a job?
All jobs are competitive and may require a resume & interview.

Do I have to pay the money back?
A work-study award is not a loan. It is an award for you to earn and use. There is no penalty if the award is not earned. You do not pay it back.

Are taxes taken out of my work-study earnings?
Yes, if you earn enough according to IRS tax rules.

Where may I obtain assistance?
The  Career Services Center is located on the Library Walk.  Our office hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  To speak with our Work-Study Coordinator, come to the 2nd floor of the Career Services Center or contact the Coordinator:  C  all 858-534-0150 or email Mary Lewis .