Procedures

Once you confirm your Work-Study eligibility, you may apply for "Work-Study Only" jobs on the database (along with all the other posted positions, of course.)

If you are interested in public service, your options increase with Work-Study and you also become eligible for Harvard College Work-Study awards for public service.

The next step is to go to the SEO if you are an undergraduate or to your financial aid office if you are a graduate student and pick up the required paperwork. These forms must be completed by both you and your employer. You may not begin work until these forms are returned to the SEO.

There are more rules for Work-Study positions than for regular jobs. To meet the federal requirement that FWS students make "satisfactory academic progress", the University has limited the time students may work to 20 hours a week while classes are in session and 40 hours a week during vacations. There is no compensation for sick days or legal and religious holidays. Finally, students may not earn more than their earnings ceiling which is determined by the financial aid office. There is often some flexibility with earnings ceilings, however, so it is never a mistake to make sure your ceiling is firm. Contact the SEO if you are an undergraduate or your financial aid office if you are a graduate student and would like to earn more than your ceiling.