DACC Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships
Work-Study and Work-Study Wait List
Work-Study provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to the student’s course of study. Work-study jobs are a great opportunity for students to work within a professional career-oriented position that supports their growth and success.
Students earn their semester work-study award incrementally, through their hourly pay, from on-campus or approved off-campus agency jobs. These awards are based on early FAFSA submission, financial need as determined by FAFSA, and funding availability. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the FAFSA application, for the new aid year, before the March 1st priority deadline. Work-study is a federal or state-funded financial aid program
Work-Study Eligibility
The Student Aid Index (SAI) generated by the FAFSA will determine individual eligibility for work-study funds. Students must also be admitted in a degree-seeking program and be meeting all aspects of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). To apply for federal or state work-study, a student must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) through the U.S. Department of Education website. Please review our FAFSA page for guides and helpful videos.
Please keep in mind, a work-study award does not guarantee employment. Students are responsible for applying for jobs/positions by speaking with potential employers directly or by using the Handshake app. If students fail to obtain work-study employment within 45 days of the beginning of the semester, their work-study award will be canceled.
Be advised, students cannot exceed their semester funding limits, and can only work 20 hours per week. Work-study students and employers can review the handbook for more information on policies and procedures.
Applying for Work-Study Awards:
- Complete a FAFSA and demonstrate financial need (limited to the total Cost of Attendance),
- Have a high school diploma or GED certificate,
- Be enrolled as a degree-seeking student or working toward a certificate in an eligible program,
- Be enrolled in 6 credit hours as an undergraduate student and 5 credit hours as a graduate student,
- Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen,
- Have a valid Social Security Number,
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), AND
- Students cannot be in default on a federal student loan or owe money on a federal student grant.
Not Eligible if:
- Student is participating in Study-Abroad
Work-Study Award
A copy of the student Award Overview must be provided to the student employer every semester that shows the accepted award, award type, and award amount. To retrieve a copy of the student award overview:
- Log in to your myNMSU account
- Select the Financial Aid tab
- Ensure your award year is set to the year you wish to view
- Select the Award Offer Tab
- Scroll down to view your work-study award
- Accept your work-study award
- Take a screenshot of your page that shows your accepted work-study award, award type, and ward amount. Example shown below of what that will look like.
The Work-Study Wait List is for students who will be attending the term listed and who are interested in being considered for a work-study award. Keep in mind that placing your name on the wait list is not a guarantee you will receive a work-study award. Work-study awards are based on student-budget needs, funding availability, and potential employment.
To be considered for work-study, students must complete their FAFSA (with satisfied requirements), meet SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress), and be enrolled in 6 credits hours or more for the semester. If approved for work-study, please be aware that this could decrease the amount you have been offered in loans.
Employers post open student employment/work-study positions online, via Handshake. Handshake is also where you will apply for jobs, see relevant career articles, sign up for events and workshops, and access the on-campus recruiting program.