Student employment information for families
Student employment can help students earn money, develop professional skills, build relationships, and gain experience that supports their future goals. Student employees also learn to manage their time, communicate with supervisors, accept feedback, and balance work with their academic responsibilities.
Student employment is an educational and professional experience. Students are responsible for finding and applying for positions, completing employment requirements, communicating with supervisors, recording their work hours, and managing their earnings.
Student Employment Opportunities
Augustana offers several types of student employment:
- On-campus employment: Positions within college departments, offices, programs, and services.
- Flexible Employment Program (FEP): Short-term or flexible assignments based on campus needs.
- Community-based Federal Work-Study: Positions with approved community organizations for students who meet Federal Work-Study eligibility requirements.
Position availability varies throughout the year. Some positions require Federal Work-Study eligibility, while others are open to all eligible students. Students are not guaranteed a position, even if Federal Work-Study is included in their financial aid offer.
Students must actively search, apply, interview, and be selected for employment.
Finding and Applying for Positions
Students use Augie Works, Augustana’s student employment system, to search and apply for available positions.
New positions are posted throughout the year, with many opportunities appearing before the beginning of an academic term. Students should:
- Begin searching early.
- Review position qualifications carefully.
- Apply for more than one suitable position.
- Submit complete and professional application materials.
- Monitor their Augustana email for communication from supervisors and Student Employment.
- Respond promptly to interview requests and employment instructions.
CORE/Career Development & Vocation can assist students with resumes, applications, interviews, and job-search strategies. However, students are responsible for completing their own applications and communicating directly with prospective supervisors.
Federal Work-Study
Federal Work-Study is a need-based financial aid program that helps support eligible student employment. Federal Work-Study eligibility does not provide funds directly to the student and does not guarantee employment.
Students earn Federal Work-Study funds by working in an eligible position and receiving wages for the hours they work. Students who are not eligible for Federal Work-Study may apply for positions that do not require it.
Federal Work-Study earnings are not automatically applied to tuition or the student’s account.
Before a Student May Begin Working
Being offered or selected for a position does not mean a student may begin working immediately.
Before beginning any work or required training, the student must:
- Complete all required employment verification and payroll steps.
- Provide the required original identity and employment-authorization documents.
- Complete the hiring process for the specific position.
- Receive confirmation that they are authorized to begin working.
Students may not work before receiving authorization. This includes orientation, training, meetings, or other required job-related activities.
Students should monitor their Augustana email and complete requested steps promptly. Delays in completing employment requirements may delay their start date.
Prepare to Work: Employment Verification and Payroll Setup
Work Hours and Academic Responsibilities
Academic responsibilities remain the student’s priority. Work schedules must not conflict with scheduled class times.
During the academic year:
- Domestic students are encouraged to work no more than 10 hours per week across all Augustana positions.
- International students may work up to 19 hours per week across all Augustana positions.
A student with more than one campus position must remain within the combined weekly limit. Different limits may apply during designated breaks and summer employment periods.
Students should consider their complete schedule before accepting a position, including classes, studying, athletics, activities, transportation, and personal responsibilities.
If work begins to interfere with academic progress or well-being, the student should speak directly with their supervisor about possible scheduling changes.
Pay and Timekeeping
Most student employees are paid an hourly wage. Students receive wages for the hours they work and are paid according to Augustana’s established student payroll schedule.
- Student employees are responsible for:
- Recording all hours worked completely and accurately.
- Using the time-entry method assigned to their position.
- Reviewing their timesheet for accuracy.
- Submitting their timesheet by the established deadline.
- Reporting missing or incorrect pay promptly.
All required work must be recorded and paid. Students may not volunteer to perform unpaid work for their campus position or work “off the clock.”
Student employment earnings are paid directly to the student and are not automatically applied to tuition, fees, or the student’s college account.
Student Pay Rates and Schedule
Workplace Expectations
Student employees are expected to:
- Arrive on time and be prepared to work.
- Follow the schedule established with their supervisor.
- Complete assigned responsibilities carefully and on time.
- Communicate promptly about absences, delays, mistakes, or concerns.
- Ask questions when instructions or priorities are unclear.
- Treat coworkers, students, visitors, and community members respectfully.
- Protect confidential information.
- Use work time, equipment, and technology responsibly.
- Record all hours worked accurately.
- Accept feedback and take responsibility for improving their performance.
Individual departments may establish additional expectations related to scheduling, attire, safety, confidentiality, communication, or job duties.
Student Employee Workplace Expectations
Supporting Your Student
Families can support student employees by helping them develop independence and responsibility.
Helpful approaches include:
- Encourage your student to begin searching for positions early.
- Ask how employment fits with their academic and personal commitments.
- Help your student think through transportation, scheduling, and budgeting.
- Encourage them to communicate directly with supervisors.
- Remind them to monitor their Augustana email and meet deadlines.
- Help them prepare for difficult conversations without taking over the conversation.
- Encourage them to ask for assistance when they do not understand a requirement or workplace expectation.
Students should complete their own applications, schedule their own interviews, and communicate directly with supervisors and Student Employment. College employees generally cannot discuss a student’s employment information with family members without the student’s permission.
When Problems Arise
Workplace challenges are a normal part of learning. Students should first communicate directly with their supervisor when they:
- Do not understand an assignment or expectation.
- Need to discuss their work schedule.
- Make a mistake.
- Have concerns about training, workload, or working conditions.
- Believe their timesheet or pay is incorrect.
- Are considering resigning from the position.
If the student cannot resolve the concern with the supervisor or does not feel comfortable approaching the supervisor, the student may contact Student Employment for assistance.
Students who decide to leave a position should notify their supervisor as early as possible and follow the department’s resignation process. They remain responsible for submitting all outstanding work hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my student guaranteed a campus job?
No. Student employment positions are limited, and hiring decisions are made by individual supervisors. Students must search, apply, meet the position’s qualifications, and be selected.
Federal Work-Study eligibility does not guarantee a position.
When should my student begin looking for work?
Students should begin searching before the academic term and continue checking for new opportunities. Positions may be posted throughout the year as departmental needs change.
Can first-year students work on campus?
Yes. Eligible first-year students may apply for student employment. They should consider how many work hours they can reasonably manage while adjusting to college.
How does my student find a position?
Students search and apply for student employment positions through Augie Works. Students may contact CORE/Career Development & Vocation for assistance with resumes, applications, interviews, or job-search strategies.
How many positions should my student apply for?
Students should apply for several positions that match their qualifications, interests, and availability. Applying for one position does not guarantee an interview or offer.
Can my student begin working as soon as they receive an offer?
No. The student must complete all employment and payroll requirements and receive confirmation that they are authorized to begin working. They may not complete required training or other job duties before authorization.
How many hours may my student work?
During the academic year, domestic students are encouraged to work no more than 10 hours per week and international students may work up to 19 hours per week across all Augustana positions.
The maximum is not a guaranteed number of hours. Actual schedules depend on the position, departmental needs, available funding, and the student’s availability.
How is my student paid?
Student employees are paid for the hours they work according to the student payroll schedule. Earnings are paid directly to the student and are not automatically applied to the student’s college account.
What if my student is struggling to balance work and school?
The student should speak directly with their supervisor about the situation. A schedule adjustment may be possible, although it cannot be guaranteed. The student may also contact Student Employment for guidance.
May a parent contact the student’s supervisor?
Students are expected to manage their own employment relationships. Supervisors and Student Employment generally communicate directly with the student and may be unable to share employment information with family members without the student’s permission.
Parents can help students prepare for conversations, identify questions, and consider possible solutions.
What if my student wants to leave a position?
The student should speak with the supervisor and provide as much advance notice as possible. The student must also record and submit all remaining work hours.
Contact Student Employment
Student Employment in CORE Career Development assists students with campus employment questions and concerns.