Work-Study at UC Santa Cruz

Federal Work-Study

Federal Work-Study is a need-based program. A Work-Study option will be offered as financial aid to eligible students who submit a FAFSA application. Students must apply for part-time jobs and may earn up to the amount of the Work-Study award they accept. There is no employment guarantee – jobs are competitive. Developing a professional resume and beginning the job search early in the fall is a good idea. Staff at the Career Center are available to assist with resume writing and job search techniques.

The Career Success website provides all the information needed to search for a job and get hired. Apply for both Work-Study and non-Work-Study jobs to maximize your chances of finding employment.

Students are not required to earn and use the Work-Study they are offered, and there is no penalty if it is not used. Work-Study does not directly apply to the bill; instead, the student earns a paycheck to use toward educational expenses. Paychecks are issued on a bi-weekly basis.

Students must stop working if they take a leave of absence or withdraw from UC Santa Cruz.

Institutional Work-Study

Students who have an active work authorization (not expired) and who have submitted a CA Dream Application are eligible to participate in UCSC Institutional Work-Study. This program provides an opportunity to apply for part-time work-study jobs on-campus. Positions are competitive, and students are not guaranteed to obtain a work-study job.

If hired, students may earn wages up to the amount of their UCSC Institutional Work-Study award. Visit the UCSC Career Center, located in the Baytree Bookstore Building, for information on jobs on campus.