Financial Aid Work Study

Federal Work-Study

Federal Work-Study is a student employment program funded with federal and university dollars and is available to students with financial need. Federal Work-Study is an opportunity for students to earn money through employment to help pay expenses and control loan debt. The amount of the award is the maximum earnings you may receive at a work-study position and is not a guarantee of your earnings. You must be a degree-seeking student to be eligible.

Work-study positions begin at the federal minimum wage and may vary in terms of department. Most jobs are located on campus but there are a limited number of off-campus positions that are available through community service agencies.

• Undergraduate
• Graduate
• Second bachelors
• Teacher Licensure/Certification
• At least half-time enrollment

Emporia State offers several work-study programs for eligible students. These programs help you earn money for school and reduce loan debt. To help you balance work and school, students in work-study programs are expected to work no more than 20 hours per week while classes are in session.

Federal Community Service

This program allows students to work in the community in return for valuable work experience. For more information, please contact the Office of Financial Aid, Scholarships, & Veterans Services.

• Undergraduate
• Graduate
• At least half-time enrollment

Kansas Career Work-Study

Kansas Career Work-Study was implemented to encourage employment in settings related to your expected career field and is available to Kansas residents only. KCWS will reimburse a private employer 50% of your wages. For more information, contact the Office of Financial Aid, Scholarships, & Veterans Services.

• Undergraduate
• Full-time enrollment
• At least half-time enrollment

Youth Education Services (YES)

The YES program was designed to encourage college students to provide mentoring, tutoring, and leadership to "at risk" elementary and secondary students and is available to Kansas residents only. YES, funding is paid at the federal minimum wage, and students are placed in area elementary schools each semester. For more information, contact the Office of Financial Aid, Scholarships, & Veterans Services.

• Undergraduate
• At least half-time enrollment

Getting Hired & Work Requirements

Students are responsible for finding a job designated for Work-Study positions, either through Handshake or with the help of the Career Services. While all departments must pay ESU campus minimum wage, pay varies depending on the job position and an applicant’s qualifications. Work-study students must not work during regular scheduled class time. If a professor cancelled class or an instructor has excused the student from attending class, it must be documented on the employee timesheet.

The total amount awarded is disbursed on a bi-weekly basis through paychecks from ESU. Work-study students and departments are responsible for monitoring the status of a work-study award. Once the earnings limit has been reached, eligibility ends and employment must be terminated or switched to regular student appointment.