Work Study
Work-study is designed to give part-time employment to undergraduate and graduate students who need the income to help meet the costs of post secondary education and other expenses. Southeastern is committed to offering students excellent training, including the opportunity to obtain hands-on experience through the work-study program.
General Student Worker Eligibility
A student worker is an hourly employee who is currently enrolled at least half-time at Southeastern Louisiana University and participates in any work-study program offered by the University. The employment is temporary in nature and is incidental to the pursuit of an academic endeavor.
Students must meet the following general eligibility requirements before they could be considered for any work-study position.
- Students must be eligible to work in the United States, and
- Students must be currently enrolled at least half-time at Southeastern.
- Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the university.
- Work study students may work a maximum of 25 hours a week during semesters. Students may work up to 40 hours per week during university designated breaks and holidays.
International Students
All International Students Must:- Complete Work Study Packet
- Attach a copy of school id, social security card, and all pages of passport.
- Obtain work permit from Josie Mercante showing eligibility to work.
- Attach copies of I-94 card and I-20ID.
Minors
Student workers under 18 years of age must do the following:
- Get Intent to Hire form from the Tangipahoa Parish School Board, Hammond High School, or Ponchatoula High School.
- Have prospective employer fill out Intent to Hire.
- Take form and birth certificate back to Lab School to receive Employment Certificate.
- Bring copies of Intent to Hire, Employment Certificate, birth certificate, social security card and student id to work study office along with complete Work Study Packet.
Federal Work-Study
The Federal Work-Study Program is a federally funded program that gives students the opportunity to work on and off campus. To work under the Federal Work-Study Program, students must meet the general student worker eligibility requirements as well as the following additional requirements:
- Receive a work-study award from the Financial Aid Office. (There is no guarantee that students will earn the total of their Federal Work-Study award.)
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the university.
Federal Work-Study students may work a maximum of 25 hours a week until they have earned their work-study award. Students may work up to 40 hours per week during university designated breaks and holidays.
State Work-Study
Any student who meets the general student worker eligibility requirements may work as a state student worker on campus.
The only difference between a state and federal student worker is that state student workers are paid out of the budget of the department in which they are employed while federal student workers are paid through their Federal Work Study award.
Community Service Work-Study
Community Service Work-Study is a program that offers students the chance to earn Federal Work-Study wages while helping a local nonprofit organization. These positions typically allow students to come in direct contact with the people they are serving.
This program is beneficial in that it offers students the opportunity to learn about the community in which they live, provide a much needed service, and earn work-study wages while gaining relevant work experience.
A student must have a Federal Work-Study award in order to work as a Community Service Worker.
The following are agencies in which students can currently be placed:
- Bogalusa Mental Health Center
- Covington Head Start
- Hammond Boys and Girls Club
- Hammond Health Unit
- Hammond Regional Arts Center
- Rosenblum Mental Health Center (Hammond)
- Rosevalley Community Outreach Ministry (Roseland)
- Special Olympics Louisiana (Hammond)
- Springfield Head Start
- Wesley Foundation at Southeastern Louisiana University
- Lurline Smith Mental Health Center (Mandeville)
- Hammond Area Recreation Department
- Discovery - Family Resource Project (Baton Rouge)
- Tangipahoa Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council (Hammond)
What is the America Reads Challenge?
The America Reads Challenge calls on America to support teachers and help ensure that every American child can read well and independently by the end of the third grade. You can play an important role in the America Reads Challenge by working with students who need help beyond the classroom to read well.
If you are a student at Southeastern, you may volunteer to tutor in local schools or you may apply for Federal Work-Study and be paid to tutor. To be a paid tutor, you must have a Federal Work-Study award. In addition to the general requirements for Federal Work Study, America Reads tutors must have at least a 2.0 grade point average. Beginning freshmen must have an ACT score of at least 18.
The following is a list of
currently participating schools:
- Albany Early Learning Center (Albany)
- Trafton Academy (Hammond)
- Hammond Jr. High (Hammond)
- Southeastern Head Start (Hammond)
- Holy Ghost Catholic School (Hammond)
- St. Amant Academy (Hammond)
- South Live Oak Elementary (Denham Springs)
- North Live Oak Elementary (Denham Springs)
- Midway Elementary (Natalbany)
- SLU Lab School (Hammond)
- Doyle Elementary (Livingston)
- Ben's Ford Christian School (Bogalusa)
- Springfield Elementary (Springfield)
- Bayou Woods Elementary (Slidell)
- Lil Carousel Learning Center (Ponchatoula)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I apply for Federal Work-Study?
You must first complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and indicate an interest in work-study on the FAFSA application. If FWS does not show on your award letter, come to the Work-Study Office, North Campus, Building A, room 129.
2. Since it is called work-study, does that mean I can study on the job?
The name is misleading. Student worker jobs have required tasks to be completed as designated by the employer. It is important to view the work-study job as a "real job" in which the employer requires work in exchange for wages. Therefore, we do not recommend that homework be completed while at work.
3. Can I work more than one work-study job?
Yes. However, both departments must pay you the same rate per hour.
4. How many hours can I work a week?
Student workers can work up to 25 hours per week during the semester and up to 40 hours per week during the holidays and other mid-semester breaks.
5. How will I be paid?
Student workers are paid on the 7th of each month for the prior month's work. You can pick up your check in the Controller's office or have it direct deposited in the bank of your choice. If you want it mailed to you, you must provide a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Payroll office each month.
6. Do all work-study positions pay the same?
No. The hourly wage rate is determined by the department.
7. What is a Work-Study Referral Form?
The Work-Study Referral Form is attached to a packet that must be completed prior to beginning working. The Referral Form is completed by the hiring department and the rest of the packet is completed by the student. The hiring department must also make a copy of one non-picture and one picture ID (this is usually a student ID and a social security card) and must attach this to the completed packet. A student MAY NOT begin work until the yellow copy of the Referral Form is returned to the department.
For More Information or to Apply for Work-Study, please contact:
Work Study Office
North Campus, Financial Aid, Room 129
SLU 10768
900A University Avenue
Hammond, LA 70402
Phone: (985) 549-5311 or (985) 549-5404
Email: rjones@selu.edu