We're here to help you finance your education through employment. Our goal is to connect you to jobs that can complement and reinforce your educational and career goals. Working while taking classes not only provides you with a source of money but can also help you develop valuable workplace skills, master time management and build a list of good references.
Important Information about Work-Study for the 2020-21 Academic Year
Was work-study included on your financial aid offer for 2020-21? Here's what you need to know:
Accepting the Award:
In order to utilize work-study, you mustfirst accept your work-study award through PioneerWeb. To do so:
Click on the "Accept/Decline Financial Aid" link in the Financial Aid Information box.
Choose the 2020-2021 Aid Year from the drop-down menu.
Go to the Terms and Conditions tab, read through, and click Accept.
Then go to the Accept Award Offer tab, choose Accept from the drop-down menu next to your work-study award, and submit.
Finding a Job:
Available work-study positions began to be posted in June through Pioneer Careers, and will continue to be posted daily throughout the summer. Students are not placed into work-study positions—you must find and apply for the job you want. To find and apply for a position:
Under the "Type of Job" filter, select "Student Employment: On DU Campus" as the job type.
To ensure a position you are viewing is work-study eligible, be sure the "Compensation" field in the post says "Work Study Required."
Completing the Hiring Process:
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 with Shared Services. When completing the I-9, you must provide proof of citizenship and show an original form of identification in person (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.
The earliest you can begin working using your 2020-21 work-study award is July 6th (as long as you're enrolled in fall classes).
Find a Job
Career & Professional Development hosts a variety of part-time positions through Pioneer Careers, including work-study jobs, on-campus positions that don't require work-study, jobs in the Denver community, internships, and professional positions.
Were you offered work-study as a part of your 2020-21 financial aid offer? Apply for a work-study position!
Work-study is a type of need-based financial aid that allows U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens to work on campus or with an off-campus nonprofit organization to earn money to help pay for education expenses. Because work-study funding is limited, it's not available to all students. If you're eligible to apply for a work-study position, you'll see it listed on your financial aid offer. Both undergraduate and graduate students may be offered work-study.
If you don't see this award included in your aid offer, contact us to be placed on the wait list. In the meantime, you can view and apply for any of the other on-campus or off-campus positions posted through Pioneer Careers.
To search and apply for a work-study job:
Available work-study positions began to be posted in June through Pioneer Careers, and will continue to be posted daily throughout the summer. Students are not placed into work-study positions—you must find and apply for the job you want. To find and apply for a position:
Don't have work-study but would still like to work on campus? A number of departments offer part-time positions available to all students. These are all posted on Pioneer Careers. Positions are posted frequently, so check back often! To ensure a position you are viewing does not require work-study, be sure the "Compensation" field in the post does not say "Work Study Required."
Pioneer Careers also lists openings for off-campus positions in the DU and Denver area that are available to all students, regardless of financial need or work-study availability. Many of these positions are just minutes from the DU campus.
(Note: 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.)
When searching for an off-campus position, beware of the following:
If there is not a company name or the email address does not match the company name
If someone offers to pay a large amount for almost no work
If someone offers you a job without ever interacting with you
If someone wants you to transfer money from one account to another
If someone offers to send you a check before you do any work
If someone asks you to give your credit card numbers, bank account information or copies of personal documents—but you get nothing in writing
If someone says you must send payment by wire service or courier
If someone offers you a large payment or reward in exchange for allowing the use of your bank account; often for depositing checks or transferring money
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.
No. You'll navigate a job search to find an ideal position. You should be prepared to apply to positions that interest you and go on interviews to determine the right fit. However, we're available to answer any questions you may have and guide you through the job application process. Please contact us if you need help!
If you work on campus, you'll be treated as a University employee. Therefore, you'll need to complete an I-9 and verify that you're eligible to work in the United States by providing proof of identification and previous employment. You can find a list of accepted documents through the USCIS website.
Employers determine your pay rate based on the type of work you do, not by your education level or the size of your work-study award (if you have one).
Contact
Work-Study Office
For questions specific to the work-study program at DU.