Student Process

To be considered for a work study award, a student must first complete the free Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which assesses the financial need of the individual. This form must be completed each year by March 1st. Once the application has been received, the cost of education for the student will be established. The budget includes an average monetary amount for fees, books, room and board, personal expenses and transportation. An expected family contribution is subtracted from the cost of education. The difference is defined as "financial need" which could create the need for a work study award.

Under federal guidelines, the combination of all need-based aid may not exceed the financial need of the individual. When limited funding is available, regulations assure students with the highest need be considered first priority. If eligible, a work study award will be listed in students financial aid letters mailed in June for returning students and May for freshmen for the following fall/winter sessions, or in April for the summer sessions. The monetary amount offered will be the maximum earnings the student may attain during each session. This amount may change if information or financial aid awards change the student's eligibility for financial assistance. If a student is not eligible for the work study program, they can find Part-Time Jobs online at http://career.missouri.edu.

Work Study Student's eligibility.

  • Returning work study students who have a complete financial aid file and received an award letter can go on-line and select the position they desire.
  • New Work Study students with a complete Financial Aid file, will receive a letter will include information on attending an orientation session on the Work Study Program.
  • If a student's Financial Aid file is not complete, he/she will be notified by the Financial Aid Office. A file must be complete before the student can be referred to an employer. Once this is done, the Financial Aid Office will post the complete status on their mainframe which will allow the student with eligibility to select a job. The postings occur every Thursday, so you will not show up in the system until Friday.

    Once students know their Work Study eligibility status and have completed all paperwork with the Financial Aid Office, they may then make choices of where they would prefer to work. The MU Career Center's Work Study Employment Office coordinates with employers to list all jobs available in an on-line database. Students may visit the Work Study Employment Office in the Student Success Center to search the database with a Career Specialist, or students may search from any remote computer location. Our address is http://career.missouri.edu

    Back to the Employer's Manual Index.