Federal Work-Study (FWS) is awarded to undergraduate and graduate students by the Office of Financial Aid. Students earn the awarded funds by working in eligible work-study part-time jobs. Work-Study is a great way to start to explore career opportunities!
Unlike other forms of financial aid, Work-Study is earned and received in the form of bi-weekly paychecks from the University for hours worked in Work-Study jobs. If no work is done, no funds are earned. It does not get applied to tuition or money owed to the college. Unused funds expire at the end of the academic year. Students who are qualified for FWS in one academic year may or may not be qualified in the following year.
If you are a Graduate Student with Work Study, begin talking with an Administrative Assistant or representative from your program now to see which work study jobs might be available or will be available soon. Networking within your department and asking about upcoming open Work Study positions is usually a great way to find an opening! Students will have opportunities to find and apply for Work Study positions through Paycom throughout the entire academic year, beginning in September.
What is the difference between Work-Study and Non-Work-Study jobs?
Not much! The only difference is where the money in your paycheck comes from. Federal Work Study (or, FWS) is part of your financial aid package. You will see more FWS jobs posted because Pacific has a federal work study program. Non-work study jobs (or, NWS) are jobs that are paid from Pacific University departmental budgets instead of part of your federal financial aid package.
What if I have financial aid questions about Work Study?
In order to be considered for Federal Work-Study, the FAFSA must be filed by March 1st each year. If you are wondering how much you can earn via work study, please contact Financial Aid. They will have access to your award amounts and aid package. Each student has a dedicated financial aid counselor who is available to answer questions.
How do I use my Work-Study?
The first step is to apply for a job! Students can find Work-Study jobs readily in almost all departments on campus, and at approved community service partners off campus. You can find job postings at pacificu.edu/jobs; active jobs will be posted here throughout the school year. One of the greatest sources for finding jobs will be the biannual Work & Service Fairs co-presented by Pacific Opportunity Hub and the Tom McCall Center for Civic Engagement in Fall and Spring.
How do I prepare to apply for jobs?
If you would like assistance putting together a competitive application, creating a resume, or help applying for jobs please contact Lynn Zhou from the Opportunity Hub. We can walk you through the process! Work Study jobs are available all year long, however the community service positions may fill quickly early in the school year.
How do I actually apply for jobs?
Jobs for the academic year will be posted on pacificu.edu/jobs, where you can search for FWS and NWS jobs. The “apply” link in the job post will take you to apply and submit your completed application(s) on Paycom.
Read through the section “Student Responsibilities" on the Student Employment webpage to learn about the process on how to apply for FWS and NWS jobs.
What does the hiring process look like?
See the section on Student Employment Hiring Process to see the steps.
What do I do after I'm offered a position?
The student employment procedures are all completed online on Paycom. Please know that all NEW hires will need to complete information for the Federal W-4 & I-9 forms.
The federal I-9 form requires that you show us an original identification form (no photos or copies accepted). The most common ID forms accepted are social security card, US birth certificate or US Passport, but see the complete lists on the I-9 form (page 2).
For more details about hiring paperwork and Paycom, please contact Lynn Zhou (lynnz@pacificu.edu) from the Opportunity Hub and Human Resources (HRAccount@pacificu.edu). If you have Paycom questions please submit your question through the Paycom Assistance Form and someone will respond to you.
Can I learn more about the rules and my responsibilities in having a Work-Study job?
Yes! Review the Student Employee Guidebook, found on the Human Resources Student Employment webpage.
Have additional questions?
Review the frequently asked questions about the Work-Study program at the bottom of the Student Employment page.
Paycom questions? Please submit your question through the Paycom Assistance Form and someone will respond to you.
Check out our Community Service Work-Study Partners websites:
- Adelante Mujeres
- Adventure without Limits
- Beaverton School District - AVID
- City of Cornelius Library
- City of Hillsboro
- Community Connection
- CREATE Program
- Eden Acres
- Forest Grove/Cornelius Chamber of Commerce
- Forest Grove City Library
- Forest Grove Community School
- Forest Grove Temporary Emergency Shelter
- Free Orchards Elementary
- Girl Scouts of Oregon and SW Washington
- Harvey Clarke Elementary School
- Hillsboro School District - AVID
- HomePlate Youth Services
- Pacific University Center for a Sustainable Society
- Pacific University Office of Accessibility & Accomodation (OAA) Services
- Pacific University McCall Center for Civic Engagement
- Start Making a Reader Today (SMART)
- Tom McCall Upper Elementary School
- Valley Art Association