Work-Study

students in the memorial union

COVID-19: Updated Work-Study Guidance

The Office of Postsecondary Education released updated guidance in an Electronic Announcement dated Friday, April 3, 2020, addressing interruptions of study related to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Based on this guidance and stipulations in the CARES Act regarding the Work-Study Program, we are providing updated directives for paying students affected by the major disaster: 

  • A portion or all of the remaining Work-Study balance will be converted to a one-time grant for all eligible undergraduate students. The amount of the one-time grant will be based on hours worked during the winter quarter. 
  • When converted, there is no action required from the department. We recommend you keep the student employee active in UCPath through June 30, 2020. 

Please keep in mind, the one-time grant payment cannot be made to a student who is currently ineligible for Work-Study, was not previously completing the work obligation necessary to receive Work-Study or had already separated from employment prior to the declaration of the major disaster. The student must also still be an active student and currently enrolled to receive this payment. 

We understand that this may affect the future ability for the department to employ the student under the Work-Study Program for the remainder of the academic year, through June 30, 2020.

If your department determines that remote work is feasible, and you would like to continue to use Work-Study to pay your eligible student employees, please email workstudy@ucdavis.edu no later than Friday, April 17, 2020. Please note, if you plan to continue to employ work-study students, 100% of the salary will be covered by work-study.

Separate guidance will be made available for Graduate Student Researchers under the Work-Study Program.  

We would like to thank you for providing an invaluable experience to our students through employment via the Work-Study Program and appreciate your patience while we address the impact of this pandemic. 

Please assist our office in disseminating this message to other Work-Study Program participants as you see appropriate. 

If you have questions or concerns contact us at workstudy@ucdavis.edu.

What is the Work-Study Program?

Work-Study was created to stimulate and promote part-time employment for students who have financial need. Work-Study allows a student to earn financial aid through employment. Instead of a financial aid payment, the student's Work-Study award is paid in the form of a payroll check for time/hours worked.  In addition to meeting educational expenses, work-study offers an opportunity for students to gain work experience, as well as providing essential services to the University and the community. It may also provide:

  • Practical training and experience in your chosen field
  • Positive job experience to help you identify career objectives
  • An impressive resume and recommendations from former employers

UC Davis offers two types of work-study, Federal and Institutional Work-Study. Undergraduate, International and Graduate students may be eligible. Work-Study is awarded to students based on need. Students with Expected Family Contributions (EFC) of less than or equal to $15,000 and eligibility greater than or equal to $1,000 will be identified on their award notices as Work-Study eligible. Because funding is limited, not all students with need is awarded Work-Study. Work-Study funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible students can obtain a Work-Study Eligibility Certificate (with a 30-day expiration date) through MyAwards. Work Study Eligibility Certificates will become available early June. For Graduate Students there are additional requirements, please see the work-study page for Graduate Students for more information.

How to Hire a Work Study Student

For information on posting a job, hiring a student, and policies and procedures relating to employment, please visit the Internship and Career Center website.

For employers looking to hire UC Davis students, please post part-time, one-time, temporary, and summer full-time work-study and non-work study employment opportunities through Handshake. Once the job posting is complete, interested students will contact you directly. 

For information on work-study opportunities, please use the UC Davis Employers or Non-UC Davis Employers links.