The Federal Work-Study program provides funding for part-time, on- and off-campus jobs for eligible undergraduate and graduate students.
Awards are generally $5,500 for the academic year (Fall and Spring Semesters) and $3,600 for the Summer Semester. The amount of the award is the maximum amount a student can earn within that academic year or Summer Semester. Students are not guaranteed to earn the full amount of their award, and unused portions do not roll over into the next enrollment period. An award must be in place for each period a student works.
Most Work-Study jobs are 15-20 hours per week and may not exceed 29 hours per week. Consult with your Work-Study supervisor to set your schedule so you do not exceed your awarded hours.
Students must abide by all departmental regulations regarding work assignments. Additionally, students are not allowed to be present or working at their Work-Study job during scheduled class time. Doing so may jeopardize their Work-Study eligibility.
Work-Study jobs are not eligible for benefits.
Read the 2021-22 Work Study Quick Guide (PDF)
Read the Summer 2022 Work-Study Quick Guide (PDF)
Funding for Work-Study is finite and varies from year to year. Work-Study awards are granted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Requesting Work-Study does not guarantee you will receive an award.
We award Work-Study as part of your financial aid package. You request Work-Study when you fill out the FAFSA.
Students not awarded Work-Study may request to be put on the waitlist.
Submit a request to be added to the waitlist
If you qualify for Work-Study, you will be sent an award notification. You must accept the Work-Study award in Pathway. If the award is not accepted, it may be removed to be awarded to another student.
Having a Work-Study award does not guarantee a job, and a student can work only one Work-Study job at a time. Some students are able to obtain Work-Study in an area related to their area of study. However, many of the available Work-Study positions are administrative, which provide valuable job skills though they may not necessarily be in the area of choice.
Work-Study positions are posted on Handshake. New students must attend Orientation and register for classes before they can create a Handshake account. If you are unable to access Handshake or have difficulty finding a work-study job, contact Career Services at 816-235-1636.
Students with an academic year award who start classes in the Fall may begin working the first day of classes and stop working the last day of classes. Students who have a Summer award may start working the first day of Summer classes and stop the last day of Summer classes. Students who have an academic year award and a Summer award may continue working through breaks, provided the award from the previous term is not exceeded.
Before you start your Work-Study job, your hiring supervisor will provide you with all necessary paperwork. You will be required to provide two forms of identification for your I-9. After the payroll paperwork is completed, you will receive your paycheck through direct deposit (PDF) every two weeks.
If you didn't receive a Work-Study award, you can still find part-time employment.
