If you plan to work while attending college, we highly recommend campus employment (especially for first-year students) for several reasons:
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If you receive Federal Work-Study, the amount earned will be considered as financial aid rather than income, improving your chance of receiving financial aid in future years.
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Working on campus will connect you with a large network of faculty, staff and students interested in your academic success. Numerous national studies have indicated that working on campus has been linked to higher grades and improved chances of graduating from college.
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Most importantly, your University employer will put your student needs before their work needs. You are a student first and will never be asked to choose between your job and your classes.
At Southeast, the Missouri Division of Work Force Development will help you find that job. Their satellite office is located on campus in Academic Hall, Room 141. All job openings (on- and off-campus) are posted online and on a bulletin board outside the Work Force Development Office.
You may find on-campus employment through either the Federal Work Study (FWS) program or regular institutional employment. FWS is a federally funded program established to provide jobs to students with financial need. FWS earnings provide two advantages to students:
- When completing the FAFSA for the next academic school year, you can exclude your FWS earnings on Worksheet C thus reducing your expected student contribution.
- Campus departments are encouraged to give preference to FWS students, improving your chance of getting the job you want.
Whether you are eligible for FWS or wish to gain employment through the regular institutional work program, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be enrolled as a degree-seeking student throughout the year. Visiting and special-admit students are not eligible for student employment.
- Be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours (half-time).
- Have a valid, original Social Security card.
- International students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours (full time) per your United States Visa agreement.
If you work on campus, you may work a maximum of 20 hours per week while classes are in session. When classes are not in session (summer, spring break or semester break), you may work up to 37.5 hours per week. Unless your department supervisor specifies a higher wage rate, you will be paid minimum wage. Paychecks are issued bi-weekly.