Student Employment FAQs

What are the different types of student employment programs?
What is Federal Work Study?
What is Community Service Employment?
How do I apply for Federal Work Study?
How will I know if I am awarded Federal Work Study?
Can I be considered for Federal Work Study at a later date?
What is Institutional Work Aid?
What is Grants and Sponsored Programs?
What are the procedures for obtaining a Federal Work Study position?
What are the procedures for obtaining an Institutional Work Aid position?
What are the procedures for obtaining a Community Service Work Study position?
What are the requirements to work in a community service position off-campus?
When can I start work?
How many hours can I work per week?
How much can I earn?
What is the maximum award?
What happens if I do not earn my maximum award?
How am I paid and when?
What do I need to elect direct deposit of my payroll check?
If there is a discrepancy in my payroll check, where should I go?
Which part of my Lion Card ID do I utilize to clock in/out?
Can I have two jobs on campus?

What are the different types of student employment programs?
The University administers 4 different student employment programs:

1. Federal Work Study (FWS);
2. Institutional Work Aid (IWA);
3. FWS Community Service; and
4. Grants and Sponsored Programs (GSP).

What is Federal Work Study?
Federal Work Study (FWS) is a federally funded program that provides part-time employment opportunities for undergraduate and/or graduate students to help offset the cost of their education. Federal Work Study is based on demonstrated financial need which is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

What is Community Service Work Study?
Community service work study is an aspect of the FWS Program designed to place eligible students in service oriented positions within the community.  These positions are generally off-campus and must provide a service to the general community.  Services include, but are not limited to, such fields as tutoring, community recreation, health care, child care, housing and neighborhood improvement and social service programs. Community service oriented positions on campus include those positions that serve the community (Library) and/or assist students with disabilities (SSD program).  

What is Institutional Work Aid?
The Institutional Work Aid (IWA) program provides part-time employment opportunities to those students who may or may not (international students) be eligible for participation in the Federal Work Study Program. The Institutional Work Aid Program is funded by University departments that have funds allocated for the purpose of employing students.  Unlike the Federal Work Study Program, Institutional Work Aid is not based on need and is not awarded by the Office of Financial Aid.  The Institutional Work Aid Program operates in accordance with the Federal Work Study Program. 
 
What is Grants and Sponsored Programs?
Grants and Sponsored Programs provide part-time employment opportunities to students who serve in certain positions funded by a specific grant. Grants and Sponsored Programs are funded by restricted grants allocated to a particular department. Unlike the Federal Work Study Program, Grants and Sponsored Programs positions are not based on need and it is not awarded by the Office of Financial Aid.  Grants and Sponsored Programs operates in accordance with the Federal Work Study Program. 

How do I apply for Federal Work Study?
Federal Work Study eligibility is based on demonstrated financial need.  To be considered for Federal Work Study you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and answer yes to the question regarding work study.  Since work study funds are limited, you should file the FAFSA and submit all required documents (tax returns) as early as possible and preferably before Lincoln University’s priority deadline date which is April 1st of each year.  

How will I know if I am awarded Federal Work Study?
You will receive an Official Award Letter from the Office of Financial Aid that indicates the types and amounts of awards offered, including Federal Work Study.  If your Official Award Letter does not include an FWS award, you are not currently eligible to obtain a position under the program.  

Can I be considered for Federal Work Study at a later date?
Yes.  Funds may become available if students initially awarded Federal Work Study decline their award and/or if students fail to meet their obligations under the program.  If you qualify for Federal Work Study, you may sign the waiting list in the Office of Financial Aid so that you may be considered when and if funds become available at a later date. 

What are the procedures for obtaining a Federal Work Study position?

If you were awarded Federal Work Study you must complete the following steps in order to retain your FWS award and secure a job assignment.  Please keep in mind that if you do not complete the steps below within 15 days after you are awarded, your work study award will be canceled and awarded to a student on the waiting list.

1. Take the online Student Employment Orientation quiz and pass with 100%.  You are allowed to take the quiz more than once.  Print certificate.
2. Complete an application packet that can be obtained from the Office of Career Development Student Employment Website.  You must be prepared to present two (2) pieces of valid identification (U.S. passport, photo I.D., and social security card or birth certificate) along with a copy of your financial aid award letter indicating you’ve been awarded FWS (can be found on web advisor).
3. View FWS job opportunities on Student Employment web page and contact the hiring supervisor of the department that you are interested in working to schedule an interview.
4. If you are chosen to fill the vacant position, the hiring supervisor will provide you with a Request to Hire Student Employee form.
5. You must bring your Request to Hire Student Employee form to the Office of Student Support Services and sign your Student Employee Contractual Agreement and you’re now ready to start work.

What are the procedures for obtaining an Institutional Work Aid position or Grants and Sponsored Program position?

You may obtain an Institutional Work Aid (IWA) or Grants and Sponsored Programs (GSP) position by completing the following steps:

1. View the IWA and/or GSP job opportunities on Student Employment web page and contact the hiring supervisor of the department that you are interested in working to schedule an interview.
2. If supervisor chooses to hire you, they will complete a Personnel Action Request Form (PARF) which has to be approved before you can complete the next step.  Supervisor will contact you when the PARF has been approved.
3. Supervisor will provide you with a Request to Hire Student Employee form and the PARF.
4. Take the online Student Employment Orientation quiz and pass with 100%.  Print certificate.
5. Bring Request to Hire Student Employee form, PARF, and Certificate from passing online Orientation quiz to the Office of Career Development.
6. Complete Student Employee Application Packet and sign your Student Employee Contractual Agreement.

What are the requirements to work in an FWS Community Service Employment position off-campus?
If you are interested in working in a community service position off-campus you must 1) be eligible for an FWS award of $1,200 or more; 2) be an upperclassman (sophomore, junior or senior), 3) have prior satisfactory work experience, 4) have an updated resume, 5) be able to work between 15-20 hours per week; and 6) have reliable transportation.

What are the procedures for obtaining an FWS Community Service Work Study position?
If you are interested in working in a community service oriented position off-campus you must 1) visit the Office of Financial Aid to determine your FWS eligibility; 2) if eligible, you will be provided with an FWS Community Service Eligibility Card; 3) contact Ms. Bailey at ext. 7290 to schedule an interview; 4) when you report for your interview you must be dressed professionally and you must bring an updated resume, copy of most recent transcript, appropriate I.D. (photo I.D. and social security card or U.S. passport), current class schedule, verification of auto registered on campus from Public Safety and Security. 

When can I start work?
You may start work after you have completed the job placement process and received your Student Employment Contractual Agreement.  You have 3 days to report to your job assignment after receiving your Student Employment Contractual Agreement. Please remember that you will not be compensated if you start work before you receive your contractual agreement.  Date of your contract will determine the day you can begin work.

How many hours can I work per week?
Your Student Employment Contractual Agreement will stipulate the number of hours you are authorized or advised to work each week based on your maximum award.  At no point in time should you work more than 20 hours per week when classes are in session.  During academic breaks and the summer session, you may work 40 hours per week.  Your academic progress and class schedule will be considered when assigning or scheduling your work hours. 

How much can I earn?
Starting salaries begin at the prevailing minimum wage which is $7.25.  All students under the Federal Work Study Program are compensated at the current minimum wage rate.  Institutional Work Aid, Grants and Sponsored Programs, and FWS Community Service salaries range from $7.25 to $12.00 per hour depending on the skill level required for the particular job assigned.   Please keep in mind that the total amount you earn cannot exceed your total maximum award.

What is the maximum award?
Maximum award is the total amount you are allocated to earn each semester.  Your maximum award is included on your Student Employment Contractual Agreement.  You must keep track of your earnings. At no point in time should you exceed your maximum award for the fall and/or spring semester.

If I do not earn my maximum award in the fall, will the balance be carried over to the spring?
No, if you do not earn your maximum award in the fall semester the remaining balance will not be carried over to the spring semester.

How am I paid and when?
You will receive a bi-weekly payroll check; every other Friday. You must elect to have your payroll check deposited into your personal checking and/or savings or TMS card account through direct deposit.

What do I need to elect Direct Deposit of my payroll check?
To choose to have your payroll check deposited into your bank account you must complete the direct deposit form found on the HR website here http://www.lincoln.edu/departments/human-resources/employee-forms-and-no...

If there is a discrepancy in my payroll check, where should I go?If you have a discrepancy in your payroll check you must see your Supervisor.  He or she is responsible for submitting your hours each pay period.  You can also keep track of your hours worked by filling in a timesheet each day you go to work.  It makes it easier to track and record hours worked each pay period.  If discrepancy did come up, you have your timesheet to go back to.

How do I clock in/out during my shift?
After your Payroll documents have been processed you will be sent a Paycor login email. This email will be sent directly to your Lincoln email account. You will follow the prompts to setup your account and password. Going forward you will login into your Paycor account to clock in/out during your shift.

Can I have two jobs on campus?
No.  Students are allowed to have only one job through the Student Employment Program. However, students can secure another position on campus that is not through Student Employment Program (i.e. Cafeteria).  The cafeteria is privately owned and students get hired through their company.