Federal Work-study allows you to earn money to help cover non-billable educational expenses by working within your college or campus, University office, or at an off-campus, nonprofit organization.

Positions are available at every Penn State campus.

(https://studentaid.psu.edu/types-of-aid/employment)

How to apply

To be considered for work-study, you must submit the FAFSA. If you are awarded work-study, it will appear on your Award Summary in LionPATH.

  • To view steps on how to complete the FAFSA, click here!

Eligibility

To be eligible for work-study, you must:

Due to limited funding, not all students who are eligible will receive this award. If you are not awarded Work-Study, other employment opportunities are also available.

How to find a job

Work-study positions for all campuses are available on the Penn State job search website.

How you will be paid

Work study students earn $12 an hour. Wages are direct-deposited into your checking or savings account every two weeks.

Plan your work schedule

Work study participants may never work more than eight hours a day (20 hours/week during fall, spring, and summer semesters). To ensure optimal use of your award through the semester, plan your work schedule before you begin earning funds.

Track your hours worked

You will receive a warning email regarding the balance of your award when you have earned 50% or more of your award total.

If you have more than one work-study job, you must keep each employer informed of your total hours worked so you do not exceed your award amount. Submitting falsified time cards is considered fraud against the University and the federal government and legal action may be taken against the employee or employer.

You will receive a warning email when you are close to exhausting your award.