Work Study

[u/One-Persimmon-4006]

I’m an off campus commuter and I need to make enough money to pay my rent each month, I do have another job, I don’t want to be capped by work study, if that’s even how it works. I already received an offer for an on campus job, so the fact work study “makes it easier to get an on campus job” doesn’t apply to me. I’m just confused on how it works and if it matters whether I accept it. What are the benefits in accepting work study if I’m a commuter, with no dining plan. Is it that I won’t be taxed on my paycheck? Or will that apply even if I don’t accept. If I accept it will I have to pay it back later?

[u/LetsGoIntoTheAbyss]

Work-Study recipient here.

You qualify because you likely have financial need greater than your aid. And it makes it easier to get a job on-campus because your employer gets you at a discounted rate.

For example, if you get hired at $20 an hour, your employer only has to pay $10 an hour out of their budget because the Federal Government picks up the remaining $10. So it’s a huge incentive to hire you.

If you accept it, work-study isn’t taxed the same as regular income. Don’t quote me on this and do your own research. But you should only be paying federal income and state income taxes. So no social security, payroll, and other taxes. Make a significant difference at 15-20 hours a week.

Work-study is a grant. You do not have to pay it back. It saves you money on taxes and your employer money on payroll. So they tend to give you more hours. It has nothing to do with your dining plan.

Hope this helps.

[u/Original_Action8858]

The problem (I was warned of) seems to be that work study can cap how much you can earn. So the maximum hours are fixed, which is just smth to keep in mind if you need more hours.