Federal Work Study & Texas Work Study provides job opportunities for students demonstrating financial need to help pay for educational expenses. Your eligibility for Work Study is reviewed each year and is determined by your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). If you are eligible for Work Study, your work study award will be included in your financial aid package. For Federal Work Study and Texas Work Study employees, the hiring department pays 25% of your student wage, while 75% is subsidized by the government.

The Federal Work Study program encourages colleges to designate a certain number of their work study jobs to community service. The definition of “community service” according to Department of Education guidelines is as follows: "…services that are designed to improve the quality of life for community residents, particularly low income individuals, or to solve particular problems related to their needs." To be eligible for the federal work study/community service program, you must, first of all, be eligible for federal work-study. Community service positions are available through campus-based programs or through contractual agreements with local community service programs. The University of St. Thomas has partnered with a number of local community service groups to offer students opportunities for off-campus employment. Below is a partial list of non-profit organizations who have participated in the UST Work Study program:

Bayou Preservation Association
Catholic Charities
Cultural Arts Council for Houston & Harris County
Harris County Health & Environment Services
Houston Museum of Natural Science
Muscular Dystrophy Association
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Ten Thousand Villages
Texas Children's Hospital
YWCA for Houston
Communities in Schools

Unlike “Regular Student Employment”, the Federal and Texas Work Study Program is the only means of earning money that will not impact your FAFSA’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and your future financial aid awards.

The bottom line is:

• Utilize your Work Study award.
• Protect your future EFC. Earn job-related experience in the field in which you are majoring.
• Earn job-related experience in the field in which you are majoring.

To begin searching for Work Study jobs, click here.

To learn more about the Work Study awards, contact the Financial Aid Office at (713) 942-3465.