What is Federal Work-Study, and How May Students Apply? Federal Work-Study is offered as a part of a student’s total financial aid package to assist in meeting the cost of educational expenses while in attendance at Surry Community College. Funding for the program is allocated through Title IV funds from the Federal government. A student must complete the application process explained at Application Procedure and a Federal Work-Study job application.

Advantages of Federal Work-Study. Work-Study provides many advantages for the student and the employer. Flexibility of scheduling around classes is one of the top advantages for students. The program also provides valuable work experience for the student’s future resume’. Students generally provide much needed assistance to supervisors, and make valuable contributions to the college and community. Evaluations will be conducted by supervisors to assess how well the program is working.

When and How much can a student Employee Work? Students are awarded for one full academic year. The employment period begins July 1, and ends June 30, the last day of the fiscal year or when a student graduates. Students can work a varied number of hours per week, up to a twenty hour per week maximum. Surry Community College adheres to all Federal Labor Laws labor laws therefore students cannot work more than eight hours a day. Federal Work-Study awards are based on the students “need” as determined by results from the FAFSA. Under no circumstances are students allowed to work more than the number of hours awarded. Awards are usually made through the last day of class for the spring semester. Students who are enrolled during the summer semester may be allowed to work if funds are still available, there is job availability, and they exhibit additional need.

Weekly schedules will be devised jointly by the student and supervisor. Work schedules may change from semester to semester as student’s class schedule changes. Class attendance and maintaining satisfactory grades are priority, therefore no work-study student is allowed to work during scheduled class time. Any time worked that conflicts with scheduled class time will be deleted unless the Financial Aid Office has been notified by the instructor of class cancellation. You will be awarded a certain number of hours to work per week, which may not be exceeded. You will be allotted a certain number of hours to work in a semester, which cannot be exceeded.

Payroll Information. Time sheets must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office by 10:00 a.m. on the dates listed on the payment schedule. Failure to do so may result in a delay of payment until the next pay period. Round off daily work totals to the nearest quarter hour. (15 minutes).Time sheets must be filled out accurately and signed by the student and supervisor. Pay day will be on the last working day of the month. Checks may be picked up in the Business Office prior to 1:00 p.m. After 1:00 p.m. checks will be mailed. No checks will be disbursed early.

Termination. Employment may be terminated for unsatisfactory performance, habitual tardiness, chronic absenteeism, failure to follow guidelines set by the department where employed, or the Financial Aid Office, or any other reasons deemed appropriate by the college.

Responsibilities of Student Employees:

1. Apply for and complete all financial aid requirements to assess need.
2. Submit all appropriate employment documents and paperwork to the Financial Aid Office prior to the beginning of the assignment.
3. Maintain at least half time status.
4. Responsible for monitoring earnings so that you do not exceed awarded amounts. Under no circumstances are you allowed to exceed awarded amounts.
5. Notify your supervisor if you are going to be absent from scheduled work.
6. You may not work more than eight hours per day.
7. Notify your supervisor as well as the work-study coordinator if you stop working or stop attending class.
8. Notify the work-study coordinator if you are unhappy with your placement location, or if you have any concerns or problems with your supervisor or co-workers.
9. Students and supervisors are responsible for signing time sheets.
10. Time sheets need to be submitted to the Financial Aid office on time by the first business day of the month. Time sheets submitted past the deadline may result in being paid the next pay period.
11. Other reasons that may delay payment include:
    a. Missing signatures on the time sheet
    b. Incomplete time sheet
    
12. Make sure you address is accurate in the Admissions Office.
13. Students may not do homework during scheduled work hours. (Work-study does not mean study at work.)
14. Supervisors or the work-study coordinator can rate your performance or complete an evaluation on you at any time. Any consistent unsatisfactory work performance may result in termination from the program.
15. Dress neatly and appropriately.
    

Responsibilities of the Work-study Supervisor:

1. Complete job description.
2. If your site is off campus complete the off campus work-study agreement.
3. Coordinate the work schedule with the student.
4. Keep up with student’s time worked, and sign monthly time sheet.
5. Monitor the quality of the student’s work. Complete evaluations (if requested from the work-study coordinator or if you feel it is needed).
6. Notify the work-study coordinator immediately if there are any problems.
7. Make sure you are in compliance with all federal, state and local labor laws.

Student Links

Application for Federal Work Study (pdf)

Supervisor Links

College Work Study job description and request form (pdf)
Work Study Agreement (pdf)