One method of assisting with the cost of higher education is through student employment: either on-campus or off-campus.The Ball State Career Center can help you locate a job. A wide variety of positions are available, such as dining service assistants, office workers, web designers, tutors, and more.

Federal Work-Study

Federal Work-Study provides students with part-time employment during the school year, both on and off campus. The program is based on a student’s financial need, among other qualifications.

The U.S. government pays some of the student’s salary, which helps departments and businesses hire them. This is a major advantage for eligible students because employers seek them since they cost less to employee than other workers. Also, your work-study earnings are deducted from your income when applying for aid for the next academic year.

Work-Study awards DO NOT apply to a student's university charges.  Work-Study employees are paid for the hours they actually work, and they are paid the same hourly rates as other student employees.  Work-Study employees are paid via a paper check or can set up Direct Deposit to collect their earnings.

Awards are made for one academic year.

Qualifying for Work-Study

To be eligible for Work-Study, you must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident
  • be admitted to Ball State at least half-time (six or more credit hours as an undergraduate student or five or more credit hours as a graduate student each semester)
  • complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Federal Work-Study employment is based on financial need, which is determined from the information you report on your FAFSA. If you are eligible for Federal Work-Study, you will receive an offer in your financial aid award notification. In order to use any funding, you will need to accept the offer at MyBallState and find a job.

Finding a Job

Qualifying for work-study does not guarantee you will get a job. You will need to apply and be hired for work-study positions. Ball State’s Career Center can help get you started with this process.

If Work-Study is included in your financial aid award, that does not mean you are required to work. For instance, if you have a particularly heavy academic schedule you may decide that you do not wish to take advantage of this type of aid. The decision to accept or decline Work-Study up to you.

Employment Limits

If your financial aid award includes Federal Work-Study, there will be a limit on the amount that you can earn from the program. The limit is indicated on your financial aid award notification, and your employer will be notified of the limit.

Once you have reached your Federal Work-Study limit, your employer may allow you to continue working, with all additional earnings being charged through the regular employment program.  Under certain circumstances your Work-Study limit may be increased.  Contact Cardinal Central for a information regarding a possible award adjustment.