Employer's FAQs

Q: How does the Federal Work Study work?

A. Federal Work Study is a campus based employment program that is subsidized by the federal government. Eligible students are assigned an amount of work study. The split is 25% for the department and 75% to the federal government. For example, if a student is paid $8.50 an hour, you would be responsible to pay from your departmental budget $2.12/hr and the federal government would pay the remaining $6.38/hr until the student exhausts the work study allocation.

Q: How do I advertise an opening in my department?

A. You need to complete a and submit it to Financial Aid Services (fax or campus mail) so that it may be posted online. Once you have hired all the students you need, please contact FAS to remove it.

Q: Can I hire NON work study students?

A. YES. Many students that are not under this federal program also look for on-campus employment. When submitting your it is important to indicate if you are looking to hire both work study and non-work study students. Please know that by hiring non-work study students you will be responsible to pay 100% of the student's wages.

Q: How much should I pay the student an hour?

A. Connecticut College has established a recommended pay rate scale. You need to select the appropriate rate based on the Grade level. A link to this pay rate scale is featured on the student employment homepage.

Q: Can students have more than one job?

A. YES, students can have multiple jobs. International students have a maximum of 20 hours a week they can work in all jobs combined. It is important to know that with all the jobs under the Federal Work Study program the student has, the earnings will be draw against their allocated amount. For this reason, it is important that you know whether students have multiple jobs or not. By doing so, you will be able to better monitor their hours and work study eligibility.

Q: Do I need to fill out any forms when I hire a student?

A. YES. The student will initiate the online Student Employment Authorization form (SEA). This form will be submitted to you electronically by the student hired. You will complete the section "For Supervisors Only" and submit electronically to Financial Aid Services for final authorization. The SEA must be completed immediately after you receive an e-mail indicating that there is a SEA is pending your approval. Without this authorization, the student will not be permitted to work or be able to enter his/her hours on line.

Q: Do hours worked during breaks calculate towards the Federal Work Study allocation?

A. YES, with the exception of Winter and Summer Break which they are paid under the Regular Payroll (NO EXCEPTIONS) . If you are hiring a student for the Winter or Summer break, you must submit a new SEA.

Q: What if the student's Federal Work Study allocation depletes before the end of the academic year?

A. Financial Aid Services will notify you and the student via email once this occurs. If you wish to continue to employ the student you will need to update the SEA already submitted for the student indicating the change of payroll from Work Study to Regular. You have the right to terminate a student's employment if this change of payroll occurs.