The ins and outs of working on campus
The Work Study program at the University of Guelph offers on-campus, part-time jobs to assist students who demonstrate financial need in meeting their educational costs. Undergraduate students maintaining a minimum registration of 1.5 credits for the academic term in which they have applied, as well as graduate students registered in full-time studies, can apply for this assistance. These jobs are available during the fall and winter semesters, funding approved students to a maximum of $1500 for that term. The applications for fall semester appointments are typically due by the third Friday in September, while those for winter semester appointments are due the third Friday in January.
To qualify for the Work Study program, students must fill out a Financial Need Assessment Form (NAF), which are available to be picked up on the third floor of the University Centre in the Student Financial Services office, or downloaded from the Forms and Documents section of the Student Financial Services website. The NAF may be returned in person, via email, or via fax.
Within 10 business days of submitting the NAF, students are notified of their eligibility to participate in the Work Study program. At this point, students can search for a Work Study position and begin the application and interview process. Available jobs are typically posted two weeks prior to the beginning of the semester, but the application process remains open for at least two weeks following the start of classes.
During the summer semester, the Work Study program also offers Undergraduate Research Assistantships (URAs). The URA program provides summer research opportunities to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need. The application process for these positions begins in December, although the applications remain open in January. The research positions begin in May and are typically 16 weeks in length. For these positions, students are typically paid slightly more than minimum wage (currently at $11.00 per hour) for 35 hours a week.
To qualify for these positions, students must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Additionally, students must currently be registered in an undergraduate degree program, returning to their degree in the fall semester immediately following, with a cumulative average of at least 70 per cent. Although there is a general academic requirement, different departments may have additional academic criteria. Applying students must also demonstrate financial need, determined by the submission of the NAF, as with the fall and winter Work Study positions. For URA positions, however, the NAF form is completed and submitted online, and students are notified of their acceptance or rejection within four business days.
In addition to the NAF form, students have to complete an additional form, the University Student Profile, and download a copy of their unofficial transcripts and approval to the Work Study program. All of this information should be forwarded to the contact listed for the individual research positions by Feb. 2 of this year in order to be considered for interview. All available positions can be found on the Student Financial Services website.
Interviews for URAs begin on Feb. 4 and conclude on Feb. 13. All job offers will be made by Feb. 16, and students then have two weeks to submit a final form – the Confirmation of Employment form – to Student Financial Services.
The Work Study program is a great option for students looking for a little extra support during the academic term. Anyone interested in either the winter semester Work Study offerings or the summer semester URA positions should pick up an NAF form and apply as soon as possible.