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Employment

Federal Work-Study is a need-based, self-help component of your financial aid notice. Students are responsible for finding a job, are paid an hourly wage for hours worked in qualifying positions, and receive a biweekly paycheck. 

Most campus-based jobs can pay you FWS wages. There are some exceptions, however. Contact the Work-Study Program if you have questions. 

Find a Job

Job posting and hiring activity normally peaks between mid-August to October. There is typically another small peak in January.

To get started, 

  1. Confirm your eligibility in CAESAR.
  2. View the Student Employment Job Board for open positions.
  3. Provide all requested materials and follow the contact instructions indicated in the job posting.
  4. If you are selected as a job candidate, cooperate with the hiring manager and be honest about your experience, interest, and availability.  

Additional information and resources for Finding a Job On-Campus are outlined on the Student Employment website.

Hiring Procedures

Be sure to accept FWS in CAESAR > Financial Aid > Accept Financial Aid > Accept/Decline Financial Aid. 

Once offered a job, you and that employer must submit hiring documents to “officially” hire you as a Northwestern employee and establish your employment and payroll records. Hiring forms must be submitted and processed by Human Resources before engaging in any workplace training, shadowing, or your first day of work! We will be notified of your employment record when it is available. 

Employment Responsibilities

As a Northwestern student employee, you are responsible for abiding by Northwestern Federal Work-Study, Financial Aid, Human Resources, and department/unit policies and procedures. General student employment Work Responsibilities are outlined on the Northwestern Student Employment website. If you will oversee sensitive information, you may be asked you to sign a confidentiality agreement. 

Speak with your employer to understand how you may request and receive feedback on your performance. Employers may plan formal or informal performance evaluations throughout the year.

Additionally, 

  • Students should be honest with their employers about their FWS eligibility. 
  • Inform your employer regarding your quarterly class schedule and availability as it may affect your work schedule. Students may NOT work during scheduled class or lab time. 
  • If you need to miss a shift or cut back on hours, talk to your supervisor to establish a new schedule or receive approved time off. Make sure to balance your academic load. Your academics should take priority!
  • Communicate with your employer regarding your finals week schedule or ask for excused time off in advance. 
  • Do not exceed 20 hours per week. See the Payroll and Timekeeping Policies page for additional information.
    • Most students work 6-10 hours per week according to the needs of the job and the student's academic and personal schedule. 
  • Know your options! Speak with your employer about what may happen if you exhaust your FWS earnings limit prematurely or become ineligible for any reason. See the Payroll and Timekeeping Policies page for additional information. 

Multiple Positions

Students may be employed in multiple jobs that pay them FWS wages. Acceptable reasons include if the student believes they cannot reach their FWS earnings limit through their present job alone and/or if the second position is more relevant to their academic and career interests.

Remember,

  • Do not exceed 20 hours per week among all student employment jobs. 
  • Hiring forms must be submitted for each position.
  • Inform your employer about your multiple jobs, even if they are not paying you FWS wages, as it may impact your schedule, their ability to pay you if you reach your FWS earnings limit, or as it relates to federal and university employment policies.

Ending Employment

See Termination and Workplace Issues on the Student Employment website.