Work-Study

Work-Study is a work experience program coordinated through the Career Center. Eligibility is based on a student’s financial need and is considered part of the student’s financial aid award package. Students must be enrolled in at least 6 credits to participate.

You receive your Work-Study award in the form of a paycheck.  

The Career Center assists students in identifying both on-campus and off-campus opportunities. However, the final hiring decision rests with the employer or supervisor. As in the professional world, students must compete for positions and demonstrate that they are the strongest candidate for the job. Resources on resume writing and interview skills are available on the Career Center Resources page. 

To view Work-Study positions, you must be referred by the Career Center. Visit the Career Center to confirm if eligible for Work-Study. Please note that your financial aid package must be finalized before eligibility can be confirmed

A variety of Federal and State Work-Study positions are available on the Career Center’s online job board, Handshake. 

Visit Handshake

The maximum allowable work hours for Work-Study students are 19 hours per week. Actual hours may be lower and will depend on the student’s award amount, availability, and department needs. Students who qualify for work-study may have any Regular Student Employment (RSE) position funded through their work-study award.

*If a student chooses to postpone their Work-Study employment until winter or spring quarter, they may find that the college has already allocated the available funding for the year. This is not always the case, so it’s important to check with the Career Center or Financial Aid Office to see whether funding is still available.

Work-Study positions are limited to 19 hours per week and do not include benefits. Each student should consider their personal financial needs and decide what is best for them. There is no penalty for choosing not to participate in Work-Study, and students may decline their award without affecting the rest of their financial aid package.

Olympic College receives a designated amount of funding from the federal government for Federal Work-Study (FWS) and from the state government for State Work-Study (SWS). If a student chooses to postpone their Work-Study employment until winter or spring quarter, they may find that the college has already allocated the available funding for the year. This is not always the case, so it’s important to check with the Career Center or Financial Aid Office to see whether funding is still available.

Students who are receiving DSHS funds should communicate their desire to participate in the Work Study program to their DSHS case manager. Work-Study earnings should not impact the amount of funding that a student receives in their DSHS grant; but it may impact their child care and food stamps. In order to predict any possible reductions, the student should be in close contact with their DSHS case manager. If the DSHS case manager has any questions regarding Work Study they are encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Office.

In some cases, students may be eligible to receive academic credit for their Work-Study experience. Students should discuss this option with the Internship & Cooperative Education department.

Internship & Cooperative Education