Work Study
The purpose of the º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ Work Study program is to assist students with additional financial need by facilitating part-time employment. To participate, you must be offered Work Study as part of your financial aid offer.
Work Study is more than just a job – it is also job experience. You may find employment either on-campus or off-campus, depending upon your eligibility. All wages you earn from working a Work Study job are paid directly to you by your employer in the form of a paycheck.
The Work Study amount on your financial aid offer notifies you of the gross amount that you may earn that is considered “Work Study”. For example, if your financial aid offer shows you have $2,500 worth of Work Study eligibility but you earn $3,000 from your job, $2,500 is considered “Work Study” and $500 is not.
NOTE: The Work Study amount on your financial aid offer is typically a default amount, and will be maximized in the event you are hired for a work study position.
The difference between Work Study and regular employment is that the wages you earn within the Work Study program are not considered a part of your Adjusted Gross Income that is reported on future Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) applications. Rather, earnings are reported as need-based income. However, Work Study earnings are taxable and are included on a student’s tax return.
If you have any questions about Federal Work Study or Washington State Work Study, please contact Student Financial Services at studentfinancialservices@northwestu.edu.
Federal Work Study
This Federally funded program provides primarily on-campus jobs to students with demonstrated financial need according to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Federal Work Study will be offered to the extent funds are available. Students work an average of 12-15 hours per week, depending upon the position. Positions filled by Federal Work Study students include, but are not limited to, departmental offices, library, technical services, custodial, food services, or grounds maintenance.
Washington State Work Study
This program, funded by the State of Washington, provides on and off-campus employment opportunities to students with financial need according to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Once you have acquired a work study job, contact Student Financial Services at studentfinancialservices@northwestu.edu so that you may be provided with timesheets and other documents if necessary.
Students are not eligible to work within the Washington State Work Study Program if they are not Washington residents or if they are pursuing a ministerial academic program (contact Student Financial Services for details). Washington State Work Study placements should be related to academic or career goals.
Applying for a Work Study Position
On-Campus
The Human Resources Office administers On-Campus Work Study positions. To apply for an on-campus job, you must submit an Application for Employment to the Human Resources Office. You may obtain an application by contacting the Human Resources Office at (425) 889-5749 or by printing out an application from the on-campus student employment page. An interview with the area supervisor is also required for placement. Completed and returned applications are reviewed by department supervisors who make hiring decisions based on student skills and experience.
Off-Campus
Non-Washington residents and students pursuing a major or minor offered by the College of Ministry do not qualify for off-campus Work Study through the State of Washington. However, there may be off-campus Work Study jobs that are funded through the Federal Work Study program.
Student Financial Services monitors the Washington State Work Study positions. Students interested in finding a job off-campus (preferably related to their academic or career goals) or who are preparing to interview should contact Student Financial Services at studentfinancialservices@northwestu.edu. Off-Campus job openings are posted online at under the categories “Federal Work Study” and “State Work Study”.
Points to Remember
There are a few points that are important to remember as students seek employment in a Work Study position:
- An offer of Work Study is not a guarantee of a job.
- Employment may be ended once a student reaches their Work Study eligibility.
- Students may not begin working until the appropriate employment forms are processed.
If a student is not eligible for the Work Study program, they may seek employment through the Job Search Program at º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½. This program assists students in locating a job that is best suited for them. Information regarding the Job Search Program can be obtained through the Human Resources Office.