Work-study is a type of need-based financial aid that allows you to work on campus or with an approved off-campus employer to earn money to help pay for educational expenses. It's not a grant (because you must work to earn it), and it's not a loan (because you don't have to repay it). In addition, work-study positions give you the opportunity to develop valuable skills and experience. Studies also show that working while taking classes can improve academic performance.
While most eligible students will be offered Federal Work-Study (which is funded by the U.S. Department of Education), Colorado Residents may be awarded Colorado Work-Study, which is funded by the Colorado General Assembly. Other than the source of funding, there is no difference between these types of work-study.
About Work-Study
For a complete list of policies and eligibility requirements, please review the work-study policy guide.
You must have financial need as determined by the FAFSA.
To be employed in a work-study job, you must have work-study included in your financial aid offer.
Note: Because work-study funding is limited, it's not included in all students' aid offers. Priority is given to those who applied for financial aid by the priority deadline.
If work-study wasn't included in your financial aid offer, you may request to be added to the waitlist by sending an email to workstudy@du.edu.
Pay rate is tied directly to the job you obtain and depends on the experience and skills required for the position. It is not contingent upon year in college or the amount of work-study you have in your financial aid offer.
The amount of work-study listed on your financial aid offer is the maximum amount you can earn for the academic year. Typically, new students can earn up to $2,500 in their first-year at DU, and 2nd-, 3rd- and 4th-year students can earn up to $3,000 each year.
Students employed in a work-study position are paid every two weeks for hours worked in the form of a paycheck. Work-study earnings are not applied directly to the tuition bill.
There are a wide variety of work-study positions available, each with the potential to dovetail with your education and develop skills that will serve you through your life. All available positions are posted in PCO, the job and internship listing site for DU students.
Students are not placed in work-study jobs. You must search and apply for the positions you're interested in.
Students with work-study may partner with nonprofits and government agencies that strive to enhance the quality of life for residents—especially low-income individuals—in the DU and Denver community. These positions enable students to engage in meaningful service that helps meet community needs. If you have work-study and are interested in working with a nonprofit, please email workstudy@du.edu.
Note: Students can only have one work-study funded position at a time. However, students may have more than one position if the additional positions are not funded through work-study.
Video Playlist: Work-Study Basics
Next Steps for Students With Work-Study
Was work-study included on your financial aid offer? Here's what you need to know:
At the top of the page, select “Add Filter” and in the search bar type in "Work-Study Required?".
Select "Yes".
Note: Students can only have one work-study-funded position at a time. However, students may have more than one position if the additional positions are not funded through work-study.
Once you find a position, your supervisor will initiate the hiring process. All student employees at DU must complete a background check—you'll receive an email with further instructions once a background check request has been submitted. (Most returning students will not have to complete the background check if it's been less than 120 days since they last worked at DU.)
After the background check is complete, you will need to complete an I-9 and W-4 form. To complete the I-9, you'll need to present citizenship documentation to your supervisor (photocopies will not be accepted). The most common acceptable citizenship identification documents include a U.S. Passport or a Driver's License and Social Security Card. See the full list of acceptable documents on page 3 of the I-9 form.
Even if you weren't offered work-study, we offer a variety of opportunities to supplement your educational and living costs through work on- or off-campus. These positions can be found through Career & Professional Development and are available to all students, regardless of financial need or work-study availability.
The amount of funding we have available for this type of aid is extremely limited. In fact, only about 20 percent of our currently enrolled, eligible students have work-study. Therefore, many students who would otherwise be eligible won't receive an offer as a part of their financial aid offer. If you don't see work-study on your offer letter, chances are that funding is depleted. If you choose to attend DU and submit your admission deposit, you may contact us to submit your name to the work-study waitlist.
Because work-study is a type of federal financial aid, you must be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen to qualify. Per federal regulations, nonimmigrant students on an F-1 or F-2 nonimmigrant student visa, or on a J-1 or J-2 nonimmigrant Exchange Visitor Visa, do not qualify for work-study positions.
Most international students have restrictions regarding where they are able to work. If you're an international student, check your employment eligibility, or contact International Student and Scholar Services for more information about work-related restrictions.
Contact
Work-Study Office
For questions specific to the work-study program at DU.
Go to the graduate admission application to submit your information. For information on admission requirements, visit the graduate academic programs page and locate your program of interest.
Go to the graduate admission application to submit your information. For information on admission requirements, visit the graduate academic programs page and locate your program of interest.
The University of Denver admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
