Introduction

The mission of the employment component of the UWSP Student Involvement and Employment Office (SIEO) is to assist students in finding meaningful work experiences aimed at providing financial support while complementing their college and career goals.  The SIEO assists the University and surrounding community businesses by developing partnerships that will allow students to earn money, expand their academic preparation, and to explore career objectives through a quality college work experience.

The purpose of this handbook is to provide students and employers with an overview of student employment opportunities, programs, and policies.  The policies adopted by this institution have been established to provide a systematic approach in the employment of students by all departments.  The Student Involvement and Employment Office coordinates that effort.

The "Handbook for Student Employment" was approved by the Cabinet on March 26, 1990, and has been updated for factual accuracy.  Any questions about student employment not covered in this handbook should be referred to the Student Involvement Employment Office (SIEO),  011 University Center, (715) 346-2174.


Types of Employment at UWSP

UWSP provides several opportunities for students to engage in employment activities.  The Federal Work Study Program, Regular Pay Program, Job Location & Development Program, and the Coop Program provide students with a number of employment opportunities.  Each program is outlined in the following paragraphs.

Federal Work Study Program/FWSP:

The Federal Work Study Program provides funding to financial aid recipients for job opportunities that help meet the educational costs of attending college.   The jobs, primarily on-campus, range from building maintenance to typing to career-related tasks and are available to eligible students.  In some cases, particularly in the summer, off-campus Work Study jobs are also available.  Students apply for positions by using an on-line job listing program called QUEST (http://www.uwsp.edu/stuemploy). The Student Involvement and Employment Office is available to help registered students navigate the on-line system and to discuss application and interviewing strategies. This process allows students a "real-life" experience in job seeking, while still having assistance and support during the process.

Determination of Student Eligibility

Work Study eligibility is determined strictly on a financial need basis.  Students interested in being considered for a Work Study award must complete a Free Financial Aid Form (FAFSA) each year and indicate their interest in working.  Awards will be made to students with the greatest financial need and depends on the number of applicants and the amount of program funding.

The Control Figure/Work Study Award

Students who qualify for the Work Study Program are awarded a sum of money to be earned. The amount of money a student is eligible to earn is called the Control Figure or Work Study Award.   Students may not exceed the Control Figure amount unless approved by their supervisor.   Students must EARN their Work Study awards.  Money remaining at the end of the term will not be given to the student.

Federal Work Study - Community Service Jobs

"Community Service Jobs" are recruited by the SIEO from local non-profit governmental and community organizations, as well as University departments and units.  Such jobs are intended to improve the quality of life for community residents, particularly low income individuals, and to solve problems related to the needs of those residents.  Jobs involving child care, health care, elderly care / assistance, literacy training, and tutoring elementary aged children in reading are all potential projects for Work Study eligible students interested in a career-oriented field experience.

Definition of Community Service  

The statutory definition of "community service" is broad. It includes services that are identified by an institution of higher education through formal or informal consultation with local nonprofit, governmental, and community-based organizations, as designed to improve the quality of life for community residents, particularly low-income individuals, or to solve particular problems related to their needs. They include, among others:

  • fields such as health care, child care, literacy training, education (including tutorial services), welfare, social services,  transportation, housing and neighborhood improvement, public safety, crime prevention and control, recreation, rural development, and community improvement;

  • support services to students with disabilities; and

  • activities in which a student serves as a mentor for such purposes as tutoring, supporting educational and recreational activities, and counseling, including career counseling.

Work Study eligible students should see the manager of the Student Involvement and Employment Office to explore the opportunities for  "community service" appropriate to their training.

Student Expectations for Repeated Work Study Awards

Students do not automatically re-qualify for Work Study eligibility.   A student's eligibility to work on the WS Program invariably changes from year to year.  Questions concerning eligibility  -or lack of it- should be addressed to a Financial Aid Counselor for review.

No Automatic Year-to-Year Continuation on a Job

Employers determine if a student is invited to return to the position for future semesters.

Regular Work Program/RWP (State Funded):

Regular Work Program positions (all jobs are located on campus) are available to any UWSP student.  However, financial aid recipients need to consult the Financial Aid Office to determine the potential impact on future aid awards.

Job Location and Development Program/JLD

The  "Job Location and Development Program" (JLD)  is designed to assist students in locating part-time jobs in the Stevens Point and surrounding areas during the school year.   The program also aids all students in searching summer jobs,  and  resolving  general employment problems. Community employers are recruited on a regular basis to ensure an ample listing of a variety of positions.  A large variety of positions are posted through the UWSP JLD program.  These positions range from one-time labor intensive positions to professional/major related settings.  Typically, there are over 300 different positions listed at any given time during the academic year.

Student Eligibility for the JLD Program

Any student enrolled full or part time at UW-Stevens Point or other institutions in the UW System may use the service.  No fee is charged to either employers or students for this service.   [GAPP 18, revised 7/91, 2.0, 1]

Cooperative Education Program:

The UWSP Coop Program provides a career-related work opportunity under an arrangement whereby a student with excellent academic credentials and/or special skills is appropriately funded to combine paid employment with academic endeavors. Students desiring more information should address their questions to Career Services, 134 Old Main.  


Basic Conditions for Student Employment

Student Employee Eligibility Status

Part-Time Student Employee  (enrolled)

A student employee is one who is duly enrolled and carrying at least 6 undergraduate credits or 5 graduate credits in this institution during the academic year or 3 undergraduate or graduate credits during the summer session.   The student employee's role is to be interim or incidental to academic pursuits and is not to be an average of more than 20 hours a week, averaged over the period of enrollment.   During vacation periods and between semesters, a 40-hour week is permissible.

 Full-Time Student Employee  (non-enrolled)

During the summer, a person is considered to be a student, even though not enrolled, if that person is registered for the Fall term.  The student not enrolled in summer session may work a 40-hour week.  The student enrolled in summer session also may work a 40-hour week, but only between the sessions for which that person is enrolled.

While Federal Work Study Program  (FWSP) regulations permit full-time summer awards, this institution's Financial Aid Office does not usually make full-time summer FWSP awards because of potential negative impact on some aid.   The decision to disallow full-time summer FWSP employment awards is made on an annual basis.

Summer Employment Eligibility

Eligibility for summer employment extends to:  1) students enrolled for the summer term,  2) students registered the prior spring term who are planning to continue as  students during the fall semester,  or  3) new students or pre-registered continuing students accepted for the next fall term.  [GAPP 18, revised 7/91].  Students from other universities may be eligible for employment as student employees at UWSP with written documentation from their institution verifying their enrollment for the following term.

Foreign Student Eligibility

Immigration regulations place certain restrictions on hiring foreign students who are enrolled in educational institutions in the United States.  Enrolled foreign students with F-1 status are entitled to work for UW-Stevens Point only under the RWP (Regular Work Program), food service, or the University Center’s maintenance department.   To work either part time or full time off campus, foreign students must obtain permission from the U.S. Office of Immigration through the Foreign Student Office, Nelson Hall,  346-3849/3844.