Employment Types

Federal Work Study

Federal Work Study (FWS) provides students with high financial need employment opportunities through part-time student employment.  The Financial Aid office determines who is eligibility for FWS and how much he/she is awarded.  Not all students receiving need based aid will qualify or be awarded FWS as funding for this aid program is limited.  If you are unsure if you have FWS or not, check your Financial Aid award letter via CougarWeb. 

Hired students earn their FWS award by working a regular work schedule and are paid twice a month through a regular paycheck.  Total earnings for the academic year are limited to the total dollar amount of the award, but most students, if working a moderate schedule of 10-12 hours per week, can make their FWS award last three quarters.  Earnings can be used by the student to off-set cost of living and/or other costs of attending Columbus State.  FWS earnings are not credited toward future tutition and fees charges or past due balances.  Six credit hours of enrollment or more at Columbus State are required at all times for a student to pursue and/or continue a FWS position.

College Work Study (regular student employment)

Some on-campus departments are able to hire students without Federal Work Study through what is called the College Work Study program.  Financial Aid and a current FAFSA are not required. These regular student jobs are open to any student enrolled in three or more credit hours regardless of financial aid status.  If you were not awarded FWS as a part of your aid, you would default into this category of student employment.  College Work Study has no earning limit for the academic year as does FWS. 

Off-Campus Community Work Study

A subset of the Federal Work Study program, Community Work Study offers students the chance to pursue employment with any one of Columbus State's nonprofit and government partners. These partnerships offer students the unique opportunity to earn their Federal Work Study award in service to the local community. Positions are as varied as the community partners, and many students find positions related to their degree (e.g. Early Childhood Development).

Visit the Community page to learn more about our community partners.

View our Off-Campus Workplace Safety Statement.

Schedule Limitations

The maximum work schedule for any student employee is 20 hours per week during the academic term and 30 hours per week during the academic break. 

Pay Rates

• Student Employee I - $7.70 per hour 
  Minimal to no prior work experience required. Basic duties completed under direct supervision.
  
  
• Student Employee II - $8.00 per hour
  Some prior work experience and/or education may be required. Duties completed independently and under direct supervision with a moderate amount of autonomy and situational decision making. May oversee Student Employee I’s.
  
  
• Student Employee III - $10.00 per hour
  Substantial work experience and education may be required. Duties largely completed with complete autonomy. Student responsible for high level decision making and interpretation of situations, policy, and department procedures. May oversee Student Employee I and II’s.