Description of the UM-St. Louis Federal Work Study Program
The Federal Work Study program is designed to help students meet educational expenses through meaningful employment. Career Services assists students who qualify for Federal Work Study funding find part-time student employment positions throughout the university. Students may also work in the community at a non-profit agency that has registered with Career Services.Eligibility for Federal Work Study is determined by a student's financial need, based on his or her financial aid application. Financial need is defined as the difference between the total cost of the education and the amount of money the student and family can contribute toward these costs, known as the expected family contribution (EFC).
Once awarded Federal Work Study, a Student Employee Orientation is mandatory for students to attend at the beginning of the first semester they participate in the Federal Work Study program. All students must attend an orientation session prior to beginning work.
Student employees may work up to 20 hours per week, including during final exams week. Students may work up to 40 hours per week during summer, assuming they are not enrolled in summer classes, are registered for classes for the following fall semester, and have been granted full-time Federal Work Study for the summer by Student Financial Aid. See the application process for more information about these regulations.
During other academic breaks, student employees may work up to 40 hours per week provided that their award covers this amount and they have been awarded Federal Work Study for the following semester. The hourly rate for student employees is based on the current federal minimum wage, skills and experience, and years of participation in the program. Student employees are paid every two weeks and may earn up to the amount of their Federal Work Study award.
In order to continue participating in the Federal Work Study program at UM-St. Louis, student employees must be enrolled at least half time (6 credit hours) and maintain a GPA of at least 2.0 if undergraduate students and at least 3.0 if graduate students. Federal Work Study will also be suspended if a student withdraws from the university.