WHAT IS WORK-STUDY?
Work-Study is a federally and university funded program for
students who demonstrate financial need. The program
subsidizes student employees’ hourly wage by at least 50%.
AM I ELIGIBLE FOR WORK-STUDY?
In order to be eligible for work-study, you must:
• Complete the FAFSA/DREAM application by the priority
deadline of March 2nd
• Demonstrate financial need— expected family
contribution at $12,000 or below
• Be enrolled at least half time (undergraduate students: 6
units graduate: 4 units)
Students who are eligible for this program will have a
Work-Study award on their award letter. If you do not see
work-study on your award letter and satisfy the requirements
listed above, you can submit a Work-Study Request Form
1
to
our office. The award is only valid for the specified FAN period
and cannot be rolled over.
GENERAL INFORMATION
• You can work a maximum of 20 hours per week
• You can only be in one work-study job at a time
• You will be paid at least the minimum wage within
LA County
• Work-study is not a grant, so you will be paid for
hours worked
• Summer work-study is available if you are enrolled at least
half-time and submit the summer application on time
HOW DO I FIND A JOB?
Almost any on-campus job can be considered for Work-Study;
however the employer must submit the job to the Work-Study
website for review and approval. You can go directly to on-
campus departments and ask if there are any available
work-study jobs. You can also go to the UCLA Work-Study Job
bulletin posted on MyUCLA (http://my.ucla.edu), which has a
current listing of approved on and off campus work-study jobs.
This website is updated daily and provides you with contact
information for each job posting to either email or call the
employer. Although you are not guaranteed a job we
encourage you to look early and often in order to be more
likely to obtain one. Find jobs by going to myUCLA >Finances
and Jobs >Work-Study Job Search
Once you have been offered a position, your supervisor will
guide you through the hiring process. This will include
paperwork and further information on job expectations.
HOW DO I GET PAID?
You are paid bi-weekly, based on the hours submitted for
each pay period. Your time records must be submitted on
time (by the due date specified on UCLA’s Time Reporting
System-TRS). If you are hired under ASUCLA, you do not
submit your time record via the TRS system. This is done
automatically by ASUCLA.
WILL MY EARNINGS BE TAXED?
Work-Study earnings are taxable; appropriate taxes will be
deducted from your paychecks by your employer. If you work
on-campus, FICA
2
will be deducted during periods of
non-enrollment. Work-Study earnings must be reported to
the IRS for tax purposes, but will not be counted against your
eligibility when reported on your financial aid application.
WHAT IF I CAN’T FIND A WORK-STUDY JOB?
Accepting work-study and not finding a work-study job will
not impact your other financial aid awards. If you are unable
to find a job and need additional financial assistance, you can
request to have your work-study award cancelled in
exchange for a loan. You can also look for non-UCLA
affiliated employment, but keep in mind that you will not be
able to apply work-study to these jobs.
CONTACT US
For additional information please contact our office at:
https://financialaid.ucla.edu/Contact-Us
Undergraduate Student Guide to Work-Study
2
www.ucop.edu/financial-accounting/_files/StudentFICAGuidelines1.pdf
1
www.financialaid.ucla.edu/Forms-and-Publications#495951588-2020-2021-academic-year-appeal-forms
