Work-Study: Earning, learning, and other benefits
Work-Study is an important part of the Carolina Covenant. Besides allowing Scholars to earn money to help pay for their educational expenses and making it possible to graduate from Carolina without debt, Work-Study provides other benefits, as well.
- Work-Study jobs can help students gain valuable skills and work experience. Jobs are available in a wide variety of campus settings. Students often work in positions that match their academic interest, skills, or career plans.
- A Work-Study position makes the student an important part of a work group and establishes “a place where they belong.” It helps students get to know and learn from faculty and staff who may become mentors.
- Researchers have found that students who work a reasonable number of hours while enrolled in college tend to earn better grades and are more likely to stay in school than those who don't work (or who work too many hours).
Scholars are awarded the amount of Work-Study they can earn by working 10-12 hours per week during the academic year. This amount of work enables them to benefit from the positive effects of part-time employment, without working too many hours.
“There’s such a variety of jobs,” says Michelle Klemens, Assistant Director for Federal Work-Study and Employment Programs in the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid. “For example, students work at the Ackland Art Museum, the Morehead Planetarium, the North Carolina Botanical Garden, and in science labs helping with things like cancer research. The jobs not only help with continued financing throughout the year, they also help with developing professional skills, resume building, and interpersonal relationships.”
“Most jobs give lots of hands-on experience, especially our community service positions where students go into local schools to help students with reading skills. And next year, we’ll do the same for math skills.”
Covenant Scholars should think about the types of jobs that most interest them. During the summer before their first year at Carolina, Scholars receive information explaining the Work-Study program and how to find a job. The process is not difficult, and help is available for finding a Work-Study position.
