Many students choose to earn money towards their personal expenses or term bill through an on-campus job. Each academic year, students may be eligible for either Federal Work-Study or student employment (casual work) based on their financial aid packages.
Both types of positions are on-campus work; however they are funded by different sources. Eligibility for Federal Work-Study is determined by the FAFSA. The financial aid award will indicate whether a student is eligible for Federal Work-Study. Federal Work-Study jobs are posted online.
Students not eligible for Federal Work-Study can obtain campus jobs, but would search for them in the casual employment section. Casual employment campus jobs are posted on the LionSHARE portal.
Please note that students can begin to search online in mid-August for jobs that are posted at the beginning of the fall term and should check back periodically as openings continue to be added throughout the academic year.
Students are paid directly; their earnings are not applied toward the bill. Student Financial Services has information on the requirements for student job paperwork as well as payroll.
Federal Work-Study
- Apply for term time-jobs at the beginning of the semester after finalizing your course schedule. Most jobs are posted starting in late August.
- Jobs are not assigned; search for jobs through the Federal Work-Study Database.*
- Students are paid directly through bi-weekly paychecks based on hours worked; average hourly wages range from $15.00-$21.75.
- Wages are primarily expected to cover non-billed educational expenses, such as books and personal supplies.
- Students typically work 10-12 hours per week.
- Students can find required paperwork online or at the Federal Work Study Office in 205 Kent Hall.
- My Columbia portal shows W2 & direct deposit information.
- Students can ask to see if their Federal Work-Study allocations can be increased, but this all depends on the specific student's federal aid eligibility.
- An increase to a Federal Work-Study allocation in one academic year has no impact on the possibility of an increase during a subsequent academic year.
- Final day for which 2024-2025 academic year Federal Work-Study funds can be earned:
- Graduating seniors: May 16, 2025
- Continuing students: June 15, 2025
Student Employment
- Apply for term time-jobs at the beginning of the semester after finalizing your course schedule. Most jobs are posted starting in late August.
- Jobs are not assigned; search for jobs through the Center for Career Education’s LionSHARE Database.*
- Students are paid directly through bi-weekly paychecks based on hours worked; average hourly wages range from $15.00-$21.75.
- Wages are primarily expected to cover non-billed educational expenses, such as books and personal supplies.
- Students typically work 10-12 hours per week.
- Unlike Federal Work-Study, Student Employment earnings are not tracked and are not limited by the amount noted to be their work expectation for the academic year.
- Employment paperwork is provided by the office once the student is hired.
- My Columbia portal shows W2 & direct deposit information.
All students are notified of Federal Work-Study eligibility with finalized award letters.
Access to the Federal Work-Study Database and the LionSHARE Student Employment Database requires a log in and is limited to currently registered Columbia students.