The student's Work-Study offer/eligibility represents the maximum amount that can be earned without any revisions to the offer and is based on the student's financial need. Students must apply for financial aid each year by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and requesting Work-Study on the FAFSA. In addition, there is a separate summer application that must be completed in MyUI. In order to be offered and utilize the Work-Study offer, a student must be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, be meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), not have a University bill from a prior session and be registered for at least half-time hours (academic year: six hours undergraduate or five hours graduate per semester; summer: six hours undergraduate or three hours graduate).
This dollar eligibility is not the amount of Work-Study reimbursement that can be received, but is the total dollar amount of the student's earnings potential.
Total Work-Study dollar eligibility = Work-Study reimbursement + employer portion
Semester Work-Study offer amounts range from $500 to $2,500 for returning students and from $500 to $1,750 for incoming freshman and transfer students.
Summer Work-Study offer amounts are determined each year based on funding availability.
Students are encouraged to email student-employment@uiowa.edu if it is possible to earn more than the original offer based on hourly pay and work schedule. The Work-Study offer can be used to determine weekly work hours. The Employment Dates web page provides information on the number of weeks covered by the Work-Study offer or eligibility.
Work hours per week = Work-Study eligibility ÷ Pay Rate ÷ planned work weeks in academic year or summer
An email is sent to the employer when the student is nearing the Work-Study eligibility dollar limit. Once the student has earned his/her Work-Study eligibility, they can continue on the appointment through the end date; however, the employer will be paying 100% of their wages. Reimbursement stops when the student earns their Work-Study eligibility.
Employers can utilize the Work-Study eligibility to determine the weekly work hours. The Employment Dates section provides information on the number of weeks covered by the Work-Study offer or eligibility.
eligibility divided by pay rate divided by planned work weeks in year = work hours per week
The Work-Study eligibility may decrease if the student receives additional scholarships or grants, requests a reduction in Work-Study for an increase in loans, or chooses to accept another Work-Study job. The eligibility may increase if Work-Study funds are available and the student has remaining financial need and can earn beyond the original offer based on pay rate and work schedule. Employers are sent emails if the Work-Study eligibility is adjusted.