Work-Study Opportunities

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a federally funded program that provides funding for part-time employment for students with financial need. If you receive Federal Work-Study, you’ll be paid an hourly rate and receive paychecks every two weeks for hours worked. Most students work an average of eight to ten hours a week.

Hopkins Work-Study is another way students can work on or off campus. Similar to Federal Work-Study, you’ll be paid an hourly rate and receive paychecks every two weeks for hours worked. Most students work an average of eight to ten hours a week.

Students who don’t qualify for Federal Work-Study may see this in their financial aid offer. If you receive Hopkins Work-Study, you’ll have the option to work part-time within the Hopkins network.

Students who work while going to school often develop better time-management skills and get used to campus life more quickly due to their involvement with the community. In fact, a study from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that students who worked part-time earned higher GPAs than students who didn’t. Hopkins and community employers understand that your studies are your primary focus and work with your schedule accordingly.

Positions are available on and off campus and cover a wide variety of skills and interests. These include lab positions, web design, resident advisers, research, lifeguarding, and more.

Most jobs are within walking distance or accessible via shuttle.

There are several options for finding a job that fits your interests and schedule.

1. Register for SMILE or Handshake, our free, online services to help you find campus employers and area businesses looking for part-time help.
2. You can learn more about job opportunities during Orientation at the student employment session.
3. Throughout the academic year, University Experiential Learning maintains a database of available jobs. It’s updated daily and open exclusively to the Homewood campus.
4. If you’re still having trouble finding a job, visit University Experiential Learning for help.

No, you’ll receive a biweekly paycheck, based on the number of hours you worked and the rate of pay. Students can receive their pay via direct deposit or paper check, and most use their earnings for personal expenses and travel during the academic year.

If you have a job as a resident adviser (RA), some of your costs (like housing and meal plans) will be waived or credited to your bill. See the Student Financial Support website for more details on becoming an RA.

Hopkins has a $15 minimum wage for all university workers, including students. The exact rate of pay is set by your employer and is based on the job and the skill level required. You can work a maximum of 20 hours a week, though the number of hours available to you will depend on your specific job. The maximum Federal Work-Study award is $2,700 for the academic year.

Yes. Keep in mind 20 hours per week is the maximum you can work in total, no matter how many jobs you have, and you may not earn more than the $2,700 Federal Work-Study award without the agreement of the hiring department.

Yes. If your financial circumstances change or you receive additional funding, such as a private scholarship, Student Financial Support may revise the amount of your award.

Yes, anyone can seek part-time employment, regardless of their financial aid eligibility.