Work-Study

Work-study is a need-based financial aid that allows students to earn money by working part-time jobs.Ìý

Similar to a regular job:Ìý

  • Paid only for hours workedÌý
  • Taxed on incomeÌý
  • Get a W-2Ìý

Work-study, not work & study: Despite what the name may suggest, there's typically no time for personal activities like studying while you work. Some employers may make exceptions with approval from your supervisor.Ìý

No impact to aid eligibility: Work-study earnings are excluded from financial need determination when you apply for aid the following year.

ÌýFall Work-Study

There are important reminders & deadlines you should know about if you plan to earn work-study this fall.

Review Work-Study Checklist

How to get work-study

Don’t wait! Work-study is typically offered in the order students apply, and funding is limited. The first step to determine eligibility is to complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Eligibility:

  • Have significant financial need when you apply
  • Enroll at least half time to get work-study during the school year (Check your enrollment status)

Because work-study is a form of need-based financial aid funded by the government, you must have significant financial need to get it. Your level of financial need is determined by the information you include on your financial aid application.

Work-study positions are posted in the same places as other student jobs. You may apply directly from an employer's website or through the managed by Career Services, which is available to all students.Ìý

We can typically transition any on-campus student job to earn work-study. For off-campus jobs, start with our approved list of employers below. Employers who are not already on the list require special approval from our office.Ìý

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ÌýÌý Waitlist

Eligible but didn't get an automatic work-study offer? This can happen when our funding gets low.Ìý

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Step 1: Make sure you're eligibleÌý

Before joining, check that we've confirmed you're still eligible for work-study. You (or your employer) must send us a work-study request.

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Step 2: Join the waitlist

You’re placed on the list in the order you join. If possible, include your potential employer to help speed up the process. For fall semester, students with work-study in the last year will move higher on the waitlist until October.

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Step 3: Check your email often

We review funding every two weeks and offer work-study to students on the waitlist when possible.

Watch our introduction to work-study

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How you're paid

Setting up direct deposit is the fastest way to get your paychecks. It's a separate process from the direct deposit you may already have set up for tuition and fees refunds.

ÌýWhen you're paid

You're paid every two weeks for the hours you work, similar to any other hourly student job.

ÌýPayroll Dates

Earnings

  • You get work-study as you work; it doesn’t pay your bill directly.
  • If the amount you can earn changes for any reason, our office will email you.
  • Track your earnings compared to your total work-study offer each term.

Need more work-study? Submit an increase request to ask for a larger amount.Ìý
Keep in mind, funding levels and your available financial need dictate what we can offer. If you run out of funds, you must work with your employer to continue earning. In some cases, you may have to stop working until work-study funds become available the following semester.

TaxesÌý

The money you earn is taxable like regular hourly jobs. Your W-2 is available each year in and will be mailed to your employee address, which is listed under Resources. If you need help updating your address, .

Job titles & pay ranges

Âé¶¹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder has an hourly pay plan for students working on-campus. There are four student job classifications and each has a specific pay range. Employers use these to follow the correct process for pay increases required by the .
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Student Job ClassificationJob CodePay Range
July 2026 to June 2027
Student Assistant I - Entry/Semi-Skilled4101$16.82 to $33.72
Student Assistant II - Intermediate/Advanced4102$17.60 to $35.40
Student Assistant III - Specialist/Lead4103$18.40 to $37
Student Assistant IV - Paraprofessional4104$19.20 to $38.70

Classifications

Below you'll find more information about each of the student job classifications, working titles and pay ranges.Ìý

Student Assistant I Pay Range
Min.Mid.Max.
$16.82$25.27$33.72
  • Little or no prior experience or education required.
  • Considerable training done on-the-job.
  • Work is under immediate supervision (methods of performing tasks are well established and explained in specific terms).
  • Work assignments typically involve standardized duties that are of a routine and repetitive nature.
  • Work assignments may include the use of special equipment, software applications or tools per an established procedure.
  • The supervisor has responsibility for the assignment of work, the flow of work, production level, and provision of proper instructions.
  • Jobs require limited to no independent judgment, analysis, or decision making skills.
  • Some jobs may not move beyond this level.

Sample working titles: Security Intern, Custodian I, Cashier, Event Staff-Entry Level/Intern, Administrative Asst. – Entry Level, Student Editor, AV Tech, Payroll Assistant, Childcare Aide, Sales Assistant, Driver/Dispatcher

Student Assistant II Pay Range
Min.Mid.Max.
$17.60$26.50$35.40
  • Some previous knowledge, experience or education required.
  • Specialized training done on-the-job.
  • Work is under general supervision (work objectives are set but methods of performing tasks are left up to the employee).
  • Work assignments are varied and less routine and involve a moderate degree of responsibility.
  • Work assignments may involve access to and use of sophisticated and/or confidential data systems such as PS Campus Solutions, PS Finance, PS HCM, etc. for which considerable training is required.
  • The supervisor has responsibility for the assignment of work, however, there is less control exercised over the flow of work and instructions given are more general.
  • The employee is responsible for the results.
  • Jobs require moderate independent judgment, analysis, and decision-making skills.
  • Some jobs may not move beyond this level.

Sample working titles: Accounting Assistant, Marketing Assistant, Lead AV Tech, Payroll Lead, Lead Peer Advisor, Assistant Manager, Graphic Designer, Event & Catering Supervisor, Head Lifeguard

Student Assistant III Pay Range
Min.Mid.Max.
$18.40$27.70$37
  • Prior experience, education or specialized skills required.
  • Work is under general supervision (work objectives are set but methods of performing tasks are left up to the employee).
  • Work assignments involve a broad variety of skilled tasks.
  • Jobs require the application of considerable independent judgment and decision making.
  • Students at this level may have the responsibility to direct the work of lower-level student employees.

Sample working titles: Senior Assistant Manager, Assistant Director, Weight Room Coordinator, Security Chief, Front Desk Manager, IT Technician

Student Assistant IV Pay Range
Min.Mid.Max.
$19.20$28.95$38.70
  • Specialized knowledge or previous experience required, or the student has successfully demonstrated the ability to perform the judgment and skilled assignments representative of his/her field of study.
  • Work is under limited supervision (perform without direct supervision except for infrequent occasions involving the most complex situations).
  • Work assignments are highly technical and/or complex and the methodology may or may not be prescribed.
  • Jobs involve a significant degree of responsibility and judgment.
  • The work is typically within the student’s course of study at the senior or graduate level.
  • Frequently will include the responsibility for coordinating the work of lower-level student employees.
  • May include second-level supervisory, graduate-level positions. Supervisory employees supervise three or more subordinate student employees, including the authority to make hiring selections, schedule work and approve leave, and counsel employees on performance. ÌýÌýMust be in a Graduate RA/TA level and employee must have the appropriate bachelor’s and/or master’s degree.

Sample working titles: Director, Office/Sales Manager, Data Supervisor, Senior Accounting Technician, Engineering/Science/IT Professional, Legal Assistant, Research assistant, graduate tutor/grader, graduate assistantship and graduate teaching assistant.

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ÌýÌýRaises &Ìýpromotions

Typically based on:

  • Performance evaluations
  • Internal department policy
  • Fund availability at the department level and per salary pool approvals made by the University Board of Regents

Summer work-study

If you're interested in earning work-study over the summer, complete the Summer Financial Aid Application as soon as it becomes available in   in late February.ÌýÌý

How to apply:Ìý

  • Enroll in Summer Session
    • Or, enroll in both spring and the following fall semesters
  • for the current and upcoming academic years before the start of summer sessions

Review Summer Dates & Deadlines

Get the job?Ìý

Here are resources you may need next:Ìý