Federal Work-Study

Manual for Students 

Table of Contents

Qualifying for Federal Work-Study

Federal Work-Study is a federal financial aid work program partially funded by the United States Department of Education. Loyola University contributes a portion of the funds for the program. The university administers this program in accordance with the laws, federal regulations and instructions issued by or on behalf of the Department of Education, as well as its own institutional policies.

In order to qualify for a Federal Work-Study award, students are required to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form (FAFSA) which can be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. Returning students will receive a renewal FAFSA by mail.  Student’s eligibility to participate in the program is reviewed annually.  Awards are given for the academic year (approximately August – May).

Students must also meet the following conditions:

  • Demonstrate financial need through the financial aid application process, receive an award and accept the offer.
  • Maintain good standing and satisfactory academic progress while employed in the program.
  • Be accepted for enrollment or be enrolled as a full-time student (part- time students will be considered if there are funds available after full- time students are placed).
  • Not in default on any federal Title IV loan program and not owe a repayment of a federal grant or scholarship.

Additional information concerning qualifying for the program can be obtained from the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. 

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Job Placement Procedures

  • Students entering the program for the first time must attend a mandatory orientation before they are assigned to a department.
  • Job Placement is scheduled the first 2 weeks of school.  Students who do not secure their placement by the second week of the term may forfeit their eligibility for Federal Work- Study for that academic year.
  • Students must complete a Student Application, Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9), Federal & State tax forms, and a Student Payroll Authorization Agreement before they can be assigned to a department. 
  • The student will bring a Referral/Renewal Form to a designated department supervisor. 
  • The supervisor will discuss the job requirements with the student. This includes job duties, dress code, departmental policies, etc.
  • If the student meets the requirements of the department, the supervisor will prepare a work schedule for the student.
  • The supervisor will provide the student with a copy of the schedule.
  • If the department accepts the student for employment, the student and the supervisor must sign the Referral/Renewal form and return the form to the Department of Human Resources.
  • A STUDENT IS NOT ALLOWED TO BEGIN WORKING BEFORE THE REFERRAL/RENEWAL FORM HAS BEEN COMPLETED.

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Student Responsibilities

Student employees are required to comply with the performance standards established by the department for which they work. Students who fail to perform in a satisfactory manner may be removed from the assignment and from the program.

Any student who accepts a student employee position accepts the responsibility of maintaining professional standards and agrees to the following:

  • Perform his/her job assignment in a serious and responsible manner
  • Follow a predetermined work schedule that is acceptable to both the student and the employer.The average hours worked per week is 10 and the maximum number of hours per week a student can work is 20.
  • Notify the appropriate supervisor as soon as possible when illness or other circumstances prevent the student from working. All student worker positions are very valuable to the efficiency and operation of the University.
  • Take into account the time for studying, student activities, personal time, lunch time and breaks between classes and schedule work hours accordingly. Students are expected to work all scheduled hours each week.
  • Dress appropriately, be dependable and prompt, and conduct themselves in a businesslike manner. Students in high-visibility areas should consult their supervisors for the appropriate dress code.
  • Notify the supervisor and the Federal Work -Study Coordinator iff your award needs to be reduced. Complete the Reduction/ Cancellation Form and return the signed form to Human Resources.
  • Discuss any work-related problems with the appropriate supervisor. If the problem cannot be resolved, the student should contact the Federal Work-Study Coordinator..
  • Give the supervisor at least one week's notice before terminating a job assignment.
  • Stop working immediately upon earning your award. Federal Work-Study contracts are awarded by term.  Students are responsible for keeping track of their hours worked each term.
  • Student employees are required to adhere to the following rules and policies regarding the privacy and confidentiality of student records information. Students must read and understand these rules and policies relative to privacy and confidentiality for student records information.  Violation of these rules or policies may subject a student employee to immediate termination of employment:
  • Student records are not to be removed from any University office by student employees unless requested to do so by the appropriate supervisor.
  • Student employees who are granted access to student record information are accountable for the protection of the information and its contents while it is in their possession.
  • Student employees are prohibited from accessing or discussing personal record information of friends or peers.
  • Student employees should not use University equipment or office supplies for personal reasons, except as designated by a supervisor.
  • Student employees are prohibited from working with their own records.

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Payroll Procedures

Federal Work Study students are paid $7.25/hr. Students are paid once a month. The Payroll Department will issue individual time sheets to departments for each pay period.  The student and the supervisor will receive a copy of the Payroll Schedule indicating the dates the time sheets are due in Payroll and the dates paychecks will be issued. 
Students are required to sign in and out for each scheduled shift on a daily sign-in sheet maintained by the supervisor.  Departments that utilize time clocks require students to record their time in that manner.
Time sheets must be completed in black permanent ink and delivered to Payroll, Room 102 Mercy Hall by the due date. Time sheets must reflect only hours worked during that pay period.  Hours from one pay period cannot be included on another pay period’s timesheet.    It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements with the supervisor to sign the time sheet before the due date.  Time sheets received in Human Resources after the due date will not be processed until the next payroll.

It is a federal offense for a student or an employer to falsify any information on a student’s payroll time sheet and may result in termination.

Students are required to complete a Student Payroll Authorization Agreement indicating how they would like to receive their paycheck:

  • Payroll Deduction – Applied to student loan
  • Direct Deposit – Directly deposited into a personal checking or savings account
  • Paycheck

The Federal Work-Study Program provides for payment of hourly wages for hours worked.  Students are paid only for the hours they work.  Fringe benefits such as paid sick leave, vacation pay, and holiday pay are not permissible under the program.  All wages earned are subject to federal income tax.

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Compliance and Award Completion

Loyola University requires all Federal Work-Study students to work the award hours on a regular basis. The program does not permit sporadic attendance.  Students are responsible for keeping track of the hours worked during the semester.  To ensure that Federal Work-Study contracts are fulfilled, work progress will be monitored throughout the year. The supervisor will receive a remaining hours report following the second pay period and will discuss the remaining hours with the student. If the student feels that he/she cannot work the number of hours assigned, the student can reduce the award by completing the Cancellation/Reduction Form signed by the supervisor and forwarded to Human Resources.

Failure to work a reasonable portion of the contract required by the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid could result in possible exclusion from the program in future terms.

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Student Performance Standards/Evaluations

Student employees are expected to perform their duties in accordance with standards established by the department for which they work. A Performance Evaluation will be completed by the supervisor at the end of the fall and spring semesters for new students and at the end of the spring semester for returning students. Students who fail to comply satisfactorily with these standards may be referred to the Coordinator for possible disciplinary action or dismissal from the work program.

A student who is experiencing personal difficulties which are affecting his/her job/school performance should contact the Counseling & Career Services Department for assistance.

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Work Place Conduct

The purpose of termination procedures is to provide an equitable and consistent system for dealing with circumstances in which a student is not performing to the employer's satisfaction.

If a student is not performing satisfactorily, as defined in writing by his or her supervisor, the supervisor will first meet with the student and explain the specific areas of deficiency in the attempt to solve the problem. The supervisor may also complete a Corrective Action Form and send to Human Resources and if necessary request that the student and/or supervisor meet with the Coordinator.

Listed below are some circumstances that may lead to disciplinary action up to and including termination from the program. It is not possible to list all circumstances in which students can be disciplined or terminated from the program.  Refer to http://finance.loyno.edu/human-resources/human-resources-manual-workplace-conduct

 

  • Continued unsatisfactory job performance
  • Excessive absences or any absence without notice
  • Excessive tardiness
  • Job Abandonment (three consecutive work days where the employee has not called or reported to work)
  • Falsification of time keeping records
  • Theft
  • Negligence or improper conduct leading to damage of Loyola-owned property.
  • Insubordination or other disrespectful conduct
  • Fighting or threatening violence in the workplace
  • Unauthorized disclosure of confidential information
  • Violation of department’s rules and regulations
  • Failure to work a reasonable percentage of hours required by the Financial Aid Department
  • Unsatisfactory grade point average

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Grievance Procedures

The purpose of grievance procedures is to provide students with an equitable and consistent system for dealing with on-the-job difficulties regarding assigned duties or supervision. A student having difficulties should attempt to resolve the problem through formal discussion with his or her immediate supervisor.

If, at this point, the student is not satisfied with the resolution proposed, he or she should contact the Coordinator stating the grievance and the remedy desired. The matter will be decided and a final decision will be communicated to the student and the supervisor.

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Worker’s Compensation

Federal Work-Study students are not covered under the University insurance plan, but are covered by Workers' Compensation insurance. In the event that an injury occurs, the student must notify his or her supervisor immediately. The supervisor will contact the Department of Human Resources for further instructions.

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Unemployment Benefits

Federal Work-Study student positions are temporary positions. Therefore, students are not eligible to collect unemployment benefits following termination of employment.

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Displacement of Regular Workers

Federal Work-Study employment must not displace employees or impair existing service contracts. Replacement is interpreted as displacement.

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Religious Involvement

Federal Work-Study positions must not be involved in constructing, operating or maintaining any part of a building used for religious worship or sectarian instruction.

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Voluntary Services

The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, prohibits employers (including educational institutions) from accepting voluntary services from any paid employee. Therefore, all Federal Work-Study students must be paid for all hours worked. The Wage and Hour Division (Employment Standards Administration) of the United States Department of Labor, can furnish additional information regarding voluntary services of institutional employees.

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