Student Frequently Asked Questions

No. Only students who have Federal Work-Study (FWS) in their financial aid may work and earn FWS wages.

The Northwestern Career Development Office has a link to non-work-study part-time job opportunities on their website.

Some departments hire students regardless of work-study eligibility. You may need to contact a department of interest to ask whether they provide employment outside of the work-study program. Please understand, though, that departments benefit from hiring FWS-eligible students due to the federal wage subsidy sharing agreement, and not all departments have the financial ability to hire non-work-study students. Non-work-study students are paid entirely from the department's budget. 

Not at all! Work-study provides students the opportunity of part-time work and to earn money, often to cover things like toiletries, entertainment, and other personal expenses. You are not required or obligated to get a work-study job and can always choose to cover your personal expenses in some other way.

Work-study is not a job placement program. It is up to you to find a job and get hired, just like any other job. Our office posts available job openings when campus and community employers notify us of them, but we are not able to control what jobs are available or where.

The work-study checklist will remain as incomplete on your CAESAR To-Do checklist until you have secured a position and your supervisor has submitted your authorization form to our office. This incomplete item will not have any impact on your other financial aid.

Work-study students earn an hourly wage and receive a biweekly paycheck for hours worked. The work-study award is an earnings limit and is never credited directly to your CAESAR student account.

Absolutely! Just email NUworkstudy@northwestern.edu and let us know that's your intent.

If you still want a job, you can seek other non-work-study forms of employment (e.g., retail, coffee shops, tutoring, etc). You can also check out QuadJobs, a student jobs portal offered through Northwestern Career Advancement. If you do not wish to find a job, you may be eligible to borrow a student loan instead.

Of course! Lots of students opt for other jobs. If you don't plan to earn your work-study funds, you should decline that award in CAESAR to let us know. Not earning your work-study award will not change your eligibility this year or in the future.

It depends.

Visit the Office of Undergraduate Research to learn more about the Undergraduate Research Assistant Program (URAP). Most URAP positions promise up to 100 hours. 

If your current position qualifies for any form of academic credit now or in the future such as an independent study/independent research experience, federal regulations state that a student cannot be paid federal work-study wages unless the employer would normally pay a person for the same job. If the position is a volunteer experience from the outset, it would be the responsibility of the lab supervisor and department to justify why the position would now necessitate paying a person. 

All federal work-study positions must be posted on our website to allow equal opportunity for all interested and qualified candidates to apply. Direct hires are not permissible. 

Domestic (U.S.-based) Off-Campus Academic Programs: It depends.

If you will be enrolled at least half-time while away from campus and you have a work-study allotment during the quarter(s) of your off-campus program, you may be permitted to continue your work-study employment remotely. Your supervisor must continue to oversee your work and provide feedback and guidance as they would when you are on campus. If you will be outside of the state of Illinois, you may also need to report your temporary address to HR for tax purposes.

Study Abroad Programs: No.

You are not permitted to earn wages under the Federal Work-Study program while you are abroad; your work-study allotment for your study abroad quarter(s) will be canceled. If needed, you may be eligible to borrow a subsidized loan to make up for missed work-study earnings; contact the financial aid office if you have questions.

Sure! Email us at NUworkstudy@northwestern.edu and we can reinstate your award for you.

Like other student positions, you will receive a bi-weekly paycheck/direct deposit; however, the funding source is different for work-study employees, with the federal government providing up to 75% of your wages and your employer providing the remaining 25%. This will be set up by your supervisor when they officially hire you for the FWS position. 

You will also report the amount of FWS wages earned on your following year's FAFSA in a separate section from non-work-study wages. Contact the financial aid office if you have any questions.

Most students who are eligible for work-study will see Federal Work-Study listed on their financial aid award in CAESAR, but if you don't see it or you're not sure, please email us and we can check for you.

Work-study is a need-based federal financial aid program, and your eligibility is determined annually based on your financial aid application. Changes to your financial circumstances (e.g., family income, number in college, etc.), enrollment (e.g., half-time, study abroad, etc.), living arrangements (e.g., RA, living at home, etc.), and other factors can impact your work-study eligibility. If you have questions, you are welcome to call or email the financial aid office to speak with a counselor.

Log into CAESAR. Click on the Financial Aid tile then select Work Study by Academic year. Enter 2022 for academic year 2021-2022, enter 2023 for academic year 2022-2023, etc.

You may also add up wages from the academic year from your pay stub (found in myHR).

Our office will email you once you are within $700 of earning your maximum allotment.