Student working on a bike in the bike barn

Important Updates

  • The 2025-26 Continuing Undergraduate Scholarships application is now open! Get started on your application today!
  • While awaiting your 2024-25 financial aid offer, we encourage you to utilize the UC Davis Financial Aid Estimator to estimate your potential aid.
  • The 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) will open on December 1, 2024.

Work-Study

What is Work-Study?

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 funds are paid in the form of a payroll check for time/hours worked. Work-Study contributes more than just financial assistance to your college education. It offers you a double bonus—education plus job experience. In increasingly competitive job markets, employers seek applicants who have academic as well as job experience. Work-Study 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 Work-Study and Institutional Work-Study. Undergraduate and graduate students may be eligible. Because funding is limited, not all students with need are offered Work-Study. Funds are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Which program is right for me?

ProgramUndergraduateAB540 UndergraduateGraduate StudentUCD EmployerNon-UCD Employer*
Federal Work-Studyyesnoyesyesyes
Institutional Work-Studynoyesnoyesyes
Graduate Student Researchernonoyesyesno

*undergraduate students only