# Work Study Opportunities

**Source**: https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/work-study/index.html
**Parent**: https://fas.ucsd.edu/

Work-study is subsidized employment for eligible undergraduates. Recipients earn this self-help financial aid, so it doesn't need to be repaid. The state or federal government, the campus hiring department, and the work-study program share the cost of a work-study recipient’s earnings.

Work-study can reduce your need for student loans, leave you with less debt, and allow you to explore careers while you gain valuable work experience. [Learn more about the benefits of working part-time](https://students.ucsd.edu/finances/jobs/student-employment.html).

Please be aware that work-study is limited based on federal and institutional funding for the academic year. Visit the [Student Employment Office's website](https://blink.ucsd.edu/HR/employment/student-employment/work-study.html) to read more about using your work-study.

## [How to Apply for Work-Study](#)

1. File your annual [Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)](https://fas.ucsd.edu/resources/fafsa/index.html) (or if eligible under [DACA](https://www.uscis.gov/DACA) and file your [California Dream Act Application](https://dream.csac.ca.gov/)) by the annual financial aid application priority deadline to be considered for work-study and the best types of other financial aid awards. \
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2. Submit documents requested by the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office by the annual document submission deadline.\
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3. Check for work-study awards on your award offer online using the [Financial Aid tool](https://act.ucsd.edu/studentFinancialAward/entry). For interested DACA-eligible students, please contact [Financial Aid and Scholarships](https://support.ucsd.edu/its?id=sc_cat_item&sys_id=91226208dbd15854dbd6f2b6af9619de&sysparm_tax_node=4b3637901b634e107f89dca4bd4bcb04) directly.

## [After Accepting Work-Study](#)

- Browse work-study job listings online at [Handshake](https://ucsd.joinhandshake.com) or visit the [Career Center](https://career.ucsd.edu/) for assistance.\
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- Consider a job in community service or one related to your course of study.\
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- If you already have a part-time campus job, ask your employer if you can keep it as a work-study employee.\
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- Ask the [Career Center](https://career.ucsd.edu/) to help you create a new work-study job with an on-campus department or off-campus nonprofit group.

## [After You're Hired](#)

- Work-study awards typically range from $600 to $2,800, depending on your job title and number of work hours.\
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- You can earn up to the amount in your award offer. After that, ask your employer to consider using non-work-study funds so you can keep your job.\
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- You can either receive paper checks every other week from your employer or have your paychecks deposited directly into your personal bank account.\
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- Work-study awards are not applied directly to your UC San Diego student account. You can use your earnings to pay for your fees, books, rent, transportation, and other educational expenses.\
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- Exclude your work-study income from your future FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application.

## [Types](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/index.html)

- [Grants](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/grants/index.html)
- [Loans](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/loans/index.html)
- [Scholarships](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/scholarships/index.html)
- Work-Study
  - [Learning-Aligned Employment Program](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/work-study/learning-aligned-employment-program.html)
- [Study Abroad & Exchange Programs](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/study-abroad/index.html)
- [Military Affiliated Students](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/military-affiliated-students/index.html)
- [Other Funding Sources](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/other-funding-sources/index.html)