Work-Study

The term “Work-Study” describes part-time employment on or off campus, where a portion of a student employee’s hourly wage is paid for by the federal government. A Work-Study employment offer may be included as part of your financial aid package and can be a great opportunity for eligible undergraduate and graduate/professional students to gain experience and earn money. Off-Campus Work-Study positions are pre-approved Non-Profit Agencies, which provide Community Service.

Longhorns are eligible for Work-Study if they meet all of the following requirements:

Work-Study employment offers are different from other financial aid and are not disbursed as a lump sum at the beginning of the semester. Instead, the offer is the proposed amount of money that you could earn each semester in a Work-Study position. The money is then distributed in the form of a paycheck throughout the semester based on the hours that you work. Depending on how much you are estimated to earn, a Work-Study employment offer may be increased or decreased by contacting work.study@austin.utexas.edu.

Work-Study differs from other jobs and financial aid offers in additional ways:

  • Your work hours will never conflict with your class schedule.
  • Federal Work-Study earnings don’t affect your FAFSA aid eligibility and are paid directly to you.
  • Work-Study positions can only be scheduled up to 19 hours a week.
  • A work-study employment offer does not guarantee you a job.

To earn your Work-Study offer amount, you must secure a Work-Study job. Learn about the steps to get started.

  1. Review and Accept Your Financial Aid Award

    The first step to receiving your Work-Study offer is ensuring that you have reviewed and accepted your Work-Study offer as part of your financial aid award. You can review your offer by activating your financial aid notification (FAN).

    Understanding Your Aid

  2. Find a Work-Study Job

    Next, you’ll need to find and be hired for a Work-Study position, so you can earn your Work-Study offer.

    Below are steps that you can take independently to find a Work-Study position. Our TCE Career Education team and career coaches in your college are also available to help!

    Update Your HireUTexas Account

    As a UT student, you already have a HireUTexas account! Simply go to HireUTexas powered by Handshake, select “University of Texas, Austin” from the drop-down, click on “UT Austin New and Returning Users”, and sign in with your UT EID.

    Next, complete your profile with the following steps to make it easier to find jobs and connect with employers:

    • Upload your resume, cover letter(s), work examples and a screenshot of your Work-Study offer.
    • Set your profile to public so Work-Study employers can find you.
    • Set your notifications to receive event alerts via email.

    Prepare Your Documents

    Make your job application process go more smoothly by preparing your documents before you apply. This can include: your Work-Study verification, resume, and potentially a cover letter and work samples (if requested).

    Find Your Work-Study Verification with the following steps:

    • Go to your CASH page on UT Direct.
    • Type in your UT EID, if necessary, and select the current school year in the left-hand column.
    • Click the circle next to “Status/Requirements”, then press “GO.”
    • Scroll down until you see the section that says “WORK-STUDY VERIFICATION.”
    • Click “View My Work-Study Verification.”

    This should take you to a downloadable copy of your Work-Study Verification. Please use the most up-to-date version of this document and upload it to your HireUTexas profile.

    Update Your Resume

    You will also likely need to submit a resume, and, potentially, a cover letter for a work-study job. You can find tips for writing a resume and cover letter on our website. Our Career Education team and career coaches in your college can also help.

    Apply for Work-Study Jobs

    You can find a variety of opportunities, including Work-Study jobs, on HireUTexas! Use filters, keyword searches and save job searches to find jobs that you like.

    To filter for Work-Study jobs: Go to your “Jobs” tab, select both “All Filters” and “On Campus,” and check the “Work Study” box. You can also search for off-campus positions by not selecting the “On Campus” filter. Employers will see a “Work-Study” eligibility flag next to your application, notifying employers that you have a Work-Study offer.

    Apply to all positions that pique your interest! While you can earn your Work-Study offer by obtaining a Work-Study job, you are not limited to applying for Work-Study jobs only. You are also eligible and free to apply to other on- and off-campus jobs.

    Attend the Work-Study Job Fair

    Texas Career Engagement, in collaboration with Work-Study Employment, hosts the annual Work-Study Employment and Part-Time Job Fair to connect students with UT employers and approved off-campus nonprofit employers who are hiring for work-study and part-time jobs. Students can explore the employer lists and register for the virtual and/or in-person events in their HireUTexas powered by Handshake accounts.

    In-Person Event
    Wednesday, August 28
    11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
    Texas Union Ballroom
    Student link
    Employer link

    Kick off the fall semester by attending our Job Fair and meet representatives from 60+ on-campus and off-campus employers seeking to fill over 1,000 positions. 

    Get Hired

    Some Work-Study jobs may require an interview as part of the process, and we have resources to help you prepare for your interview.

    When you are offered a job and hired, your supervisor will submit paperwork and help you set up a Workday account as a student employee. The Workday account will be used to help track your hours and process your paycheck.

    You will receive your Work-Study employment offer in the form of a paycheck based on the hours that you work at your Work-Study job. Your employer will determine your hourly wage and most students earn their full Work-Study offer by working an average of 12-15 hours per week.

    If your supervisor has any questions, they can contact our employer engagement team at recruitut@austin.utexas.edu.

  3. Get Ready for Your First Day

    Set up Direct Deposit

    The quickest way to receive your paycheck is by signing up for direct deposit. Direct deposit can be set up in UT Direct. If you do not have a direct deposit account, then a check will be mailed to your local address on file.

    Locate Your I9 Documents

    All employees, including student employees, are required to complete an electronic I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form within their first 3 work days. As part of the I-9 process, you will need to present original and unexpired documents from the List of Acceptable Documents to your hiring manager or the HR representative in their department to confirm your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Examples of acceptable documentation include either a valid U.S. Passport, or driver’s license (or student ID card) AND a social security card (or birth certificate).

    View Other Student Employee Resources

    The university offers a variety of student employee resources, including a checklist for new student employees. Check out this and other resources on the Student Employee webpage.

    Make Sure You’re Eligible for Work-Study Next Semester

    Work-Study employment offers are part of your financial aid package. To remain eligible for Work-Study, be sure to complete your FAFSA and other steps in the financial aid application process each year.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I have a Work-Study offer?

To check if you have a Work-Study employment offer, complete the following steps:

  • Go to your CASH page on UT Direct.
  • Type in your UT EID, if necessary, and select the current school year in the left-hand column.
  • Click the circle next to “My Financial Aid”, then press “GO”.
  • You will then see two tables, one for the fall semester and one for spring. If you have a Work-Study Employment offer, the amount will be listed in the table.

I didn’t receive a Work-Study employment offer in my financial aid package. What can I do?

If your initial financial aid package does not contain a Work-Study employment offer and you are unsure if you may be eligible, please contact work.study@austin.utexas.edu for assistance. The Work-Study employment department always creates a Work-Study employment offer waitlist and successfully get many eligible students work-study employment offers.

How many hours per week am I allowed to work?

Work-Study student employees can be scheduled up to 19 hours per week and no more than eight hours per day when classes are in session. Students may work up to 40 hours per week when the student’s classes are not in session during a complete pay week (Monday-Sunday). Students may occasionally work more than the standard 19 hours per week, e.g. during a busy period at work or when needed due to other staff being out.

Is there a way to increase or reduce my Work-Study offer?

Yes, please contact work.study@austin.utexas.edu if you would like to increase or reduce your work-study offer.

Can I apply for jobs that aren’t labeled as Work-Study jobs?

Yes, you can apply for any jobs that interest you. You may find similar wages and experience learning opportunities through other on- and off-campus jobs. One benefit of a Work-Study job is that Work-Study earnings don’t affect your FAFSA aid eligibility. In contrast, earnings from other jobs are counted toward your income and may affect your next year’s FAFSA.

If you secure a job that is not a Work-Study position or if you do not anticipate securing a Work-Study position, please notify work.study@austin.utexas.edu that you will not require your Work-Study employment offer for the semester.

When are Work-Study jobs posted?

Work-Study jobs are posted 1-2 months before the start of the semester. At that time, employers have a good sense of their staffing needs and students will know Work-Study offer amount and class schedule.

You can search for Work-Study positions on HireUTexas and set up email alerts to receive updates on new Work-Study opportunities – delivered straight to your inbox. Remember to set your profile to public so Work-Study employers can find you.

Get Support

Still have questions or want additional support? We’re here to help!

For other financial aid questions, please contact the Texas One Stop.

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