On-Campus Jobs: Helpful Work Options for Students
Navigating budgets and financial aid for college can often be stressful. Thankfully, there are plenty of opportunities for financial aid and assistance, including our undergraduate student loans.
However, there are also opportunities for students to work and earn money for school. This could be a great way for students to put money towards their tuition and minimize the amount of student loans they borrow – or it could be a way to earn extra spending money as they study.
Regardless of the motive, working in a paid position could be very beneficial for many students and for their university budget.
College Jobs: What are my options?
There are a few different options for students looking to work and earn extra money in between their classes. There is always the option of getting a job off campus, wherever a student may choose.
However, many students choose to apply to jobs within their university, which could provide a series of advantages. There are two primary kinds of roles that students may be able to apply to within their university: conventional positions and work study roles. Conventional positions are job openings that you would apply to as you would any job, and you are paid directly by the university. This option is often exercised by students who are further along in their studies and have gained experience managing a work/study balance.
The other on-campus option is a work study role, which functions differently from a conventional position. This opportunity is through the federal government and is need-based, which means that it is only available to students who are deemed eligible when they file their FAFSA.
Work study positions are often very advantageous to students because they cannot exceed 20 hours working per week, and they have the flexibility to schedule their hours around their classes and educational needs. These two things ensure that students are still prioritizing their education while earning extra money.
Not every university will receive federal funding for work study roles, so it may be a good idea to go to your university’s website and see if it offers those positions.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, whether you qualify for work study funds or choose to apply for a conventional position, on-campus jobs certainly have many advantages. Students have options in many different university departments, meaning they could gain practical experience in their field with professors and mentors. Their schedules revolve around their studies, meaning that their experiences very much cater to their role as students first. And, to top things off, these roles provide students with a safe space to enter the workforce, learn, and make mistakes, easing the anxious minds of both students and parents alike.
Working while you take classes is not the best option for everyone, and that is completely okay – there are many different financial aid options that students may be able to take advantage of to pay for school. However, for students looking to dive right in and make some money during school, on-campus jobs could be the right option for you.
