2008 Woodie Awards
Some students left without work study
By: Lindsey Pilcher
Issue date: 4/21/05 Section: News
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Freshman Ivan Guzman only has $40 left to last him the three final weeks of school. He was previously employed at Webster's Mail and Copy Solutions, but when his work study allotment of $2,000 ran out and his appeal was denied, he was left unemployed and without a source of income.
"I've been out of work since the beginning of the month," said Guzman, a photography major.
Guzman is not alone in his need for work on campus.
Jonathan Gruett, the director of financial aid, said all appeals for more work study money had been accepted this year, unless the student did not demonstrate need. Still, students like Guzman, as well as international students who do not qualify for federal work study, protest that there is not enough money to go around. In addition, the student employment budget, which many international students rely on, is being reevaluated. "International students will unfortunately be very adversely affected," said Brandyn Woodard, the international student adviser, of the changes to student employment.
Departments will now have to justify their need for student workers, and many will choose to use work study students instead of hiring employees out of their budgets, Woodard said. Since international students are not eligible for federal work study, this could be problematic.
Work study is the most common form of student employment. Out of the approximately 920 student workers on campus, 700 are employed through the program. Departments use budgeted positions when they need an employee with specific skills that cannot be found in the work study pool of applicants.
Student Employment Budget
Jones said that in the 2003-2004 school year, student employment had been overspent by around $50,000, and the university wanted to avoid that kind of situation again. In April, all departments had to submit how many students they employed from their budget this year, how many they expected to need for next year and a justification for those positions.
"I've been out of work since the beginning of the month," said Guzman, a photography major.
Guzman is not alone in his need for work on campus.
Jonathan Gruett, the director of financial aid, said all appeals for more work study money had been accepted this year, unless the student did not demonstrate need. Still, students like Guzman, as well as international students who do not qualify for federal work study, protest that there is not enough money to go around. In addition, the student employment budget, which many international students rely on, is being reevaluated. "International students will unfortunately be very adversely affected," said Brandyn Woodard, the international student adviser, of the changes to student employment.
Departments will now have to justify their need for student workers, and many will choose to use work study students instead of hiring employees out of their budgets, Woodard said. Since international students are not eligible for federal work study, this could be problematic.
Work study is the most common form of student employment. Out of the approximately 920 student workers on campus, 700 are employed through the program. Departments use budgeted positions when they need an employee with specific skills that cannot be found in the work study pool of applicants.
Student Employment Budget
Jones said that in the 2003-2004 school year, student employment had been overspent by around $50,000, and the university wanted to avoid that kind of situation again. In April, all departments had to submit how many students they employed from their budget this year, how many they expected to need for next year and a justification for those positions.