Student Employment

More than 2,000 PSU students have campus jobs and many more students work for local employers. There are a variety of opportunities to earn money to help pay for school, get work experience, and build skills to help you in your career while you’re studying at PSU. Search for Work Study jobs and other job opportunities at the PSU Career Center. Graduate students may also hold positions as Graduate Assistants.

Federal Work Study

Federal Work Study (FWS) provides part-time jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education and living expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to the student’s course of study. FWS funds are not guaranteed; you must be awarded FWS, secure a FWS job, and then are paid based on hours worked.

We encourage all students to use the job search Handshake to find student job postings. Students may work up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session and receive a monthly paycheck (based on an hourly wage) that they can use for educational and living expenses. Off-campus FWS positions are also available with government and community service agencies who are official FWS partners with PSU.

Students awarded FWS may present a Certificate of Eligibility to their employer to verify their eligibility. The certificate can be accessed from the Financial Aid Dashboard in myPSU.

Eligibility

FWS is a limited resource and is awarded by lottery. If you meet the following criteria, you will be entered into the FWS lottery. Students awarded FWS will see it included on their financial aid offer.

Federal Work Study for Summer Term

Continuing PSU students may be eligible to earn FWS funds during the Summer term preceding the year you are awarded FWS. If you have been awarded for the next academic year, have accepted it, and are registered at least half-time in Fall term, you may complete the Summer Work Study Form to receive a Summer Work Study Certificate. The Summer Work Study Certificate is not a requirement to secure a Summer Work Study position, rather it is a document that can be used to provide proof of Federal Work Study eligibility to employers.

Submit the Summer Work Study Form