Employment Overview

Work-Study Program

What is work-study? 

According to Student Financial Aid, the Federal Work-Study program is an opportunity for students to gain valuable work experience and earn money, to help pay for educational expenses through part-time, on-campus jobs. 

Unlike other types of financial aid, earnings from a work-study job are not applied directly to your MU bill. Instead, earnings will be paid via direct deposit into the student’s bank account, based on hours worked, just like a normal job. These earnings are meant to help with the student’s day-to-day expenses and not meant to cover large costs like tuition or housing. 

Eligibility 

Most Federal Work-Study jobs are five to ten hours per week and may not exceed, on average, twenty-eight hours per week. Students should work with their Federal Work-Study supervisor to determine their work schedule. Students are not allowed to work in their Federal Work-Study position during a scheduled class time, including online courses. 

To be eligible for Federal Work-Study, you must:

  • File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the Mizzou priority deadline each year 
  • Demonstrate high financial need, as determined by information submitted on the FAFSA 
  • Be enrolled at least half-time at Mizzou 
  • Make Satisfactory Academic Progress 
  • Be an undergraduate student 

For continuing students, Federal Work-Study offers are prioritized to those that made Federal Work-Study earnings in the previous year. 

How do I know if I am eligible ?

Please login to myZou to view your financial aid offers. Students must accept the Federal Work-Study offer to gain access to the work-Study employment system. If you have questions about your eligibility, please contact Student Financial Aid at Mizzou. If you are not eligible for Work-Study, there are still many part-time campus positions at Mizzou. Login to Handshake to view on-campus employment opportunities.

Work-study eligible students

Find details about how to apply for a position, prepare for employment, and transition into your new role.

Campus employers

Join a free, non-credited course in Canvas that provides resources to assist with finding and preparing for employment.

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Prepare for employment

New hires must present Employment Eligibility & Identification documents in order to be hired at the University and elsewhere. Also, the University and most local employers require direct deposit of payroll funds. Please have your bank routing and account numbers ready to share.

Need assistance?

If you have work-study questions or need help finding a work-study position, please reach out to the Work-Study Employment Office.