Work programs

Students waiting for interview in Davis Centre

Quick links: Work placement program | Work-study program | International work-study program | Information for employers | Contact Student Awards and Financial Aid | Awards & Financial Aid for Undergraduates - home

What are work programs?

Work programs at the University of Waterloo offer full and part-time jobs for full-time undergraduate and graduate students, both domestic and international, in co-op and non-co-op programs.

Work placement program

The Work Placement program offers full-time, on-campus jobs for students who meet all eligibility requirements.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for a work placement position, you must:

  • be enrolled in full-time studies the academic term immediately prior to the work term;
  • have received OSAP or other provincial student aid funding in one or both of the past two academic terms immediately prior to the work term;
  • be returning to full-time degree studies at the University of Waterloo in the term immediately following the work placement;

This program is open to undergraduate (co-op and regular) and graduate students. Students may not be enrolled in full-time academic studies while employed under this program.

Graduate students should contact their supervisor or program director before applying to confirm that the work placement term will comply with their program requirements.

Apply for a work placement job

Step 1: Apply for a work placement job

Step 2: Ensure that your student loan application is complete

  • OSAP students
    • Your OSAP confirmation of enrolment must be completed at the time that SAFA confirms your eligibility with potential employers
  • Out-of-province students
    • You must provide a copy of your Notice of Assessment for the current study term to SAFA within 24 hours of the job posting closing in order to be considered

Step 3: Wait to be contacted for an interview and follow up with CE as required

How much can you earn?

Work placement jobs pay $3,000 per month over four months plus 4% vacation pay. Employers may choose to pay below or above this amount depending on the students' experience and the nature of the position.

Need help? Contact us

Visit the Registrar Resources website for Work Placement information and forms.

Work-study program

The Work-Study Program is for full-time students with financial need who want a part-time on-campus job. Students can work up to 10 hours per week and earn up to $2,000 per term, including vacation pay and benefits.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for a work-study position, students must be:

  • a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident or protected person;
  • enrolled in a full-time course load during the current term:
    • 60% minimum course load per term
    • 40% minimum course load per term for students with a permanent or persistent/prolonged disability; and
  • apply and qualify for full-time OSAP or out-of-province financial aid, and receive funding during the work-study term you applied for.

Apply for a work-study job
  • Students must submit separate work-study applications for each term (fall, winter, spring).
  • Students must become "Fees Arranged" before submitting a work-study application for each term.

Step 1: Become "Fees Arranged" for the current term.

Step 2: Submit a Work-Study Application

Step 3: Check your application status

  • Approved
    1. Your job status will be updated to Referred.
    2. Open the referral page containing the employer's contact information
    3. Contact the employer to arrange a job interview.
    4. Bring the referral page to your job interview.
  • Declined
    • You are not eligible for the Work-Study Program.
  • Cancelled
    • The employer cancelled the job posting.

How much can you earn?

Students can receive up to $2,000 per term, including vacation pay and benefits.

International work-study program

The International Work-Study Program is for full-time international students with financial need who want a part-time on-campus job. Students can work up to 10 hours per week and earn up to $2,000 per term, including vacation pay and benefits.

Eligibility requirements

You may apply to the international work-study program if you are:

  • An international student with a valid study permit
  • Registered in an undergraduate program
  • Enrolled in a minimum 60% course load (1.5 units) during the term in which you want to work
  • Fees arranged or paid in full for the current term
  • In satisfactory academic standing in 1B or higher
  • Have a valid Social Insurance Number (or receive one within three days of beginning work)

Get a Social Insurance Number (SIN)

As an international student, your study permit must indicate that you “may accept employment” or “may work” in Canada. For more information about obtaining a SIN, visit Waterloo's international student experience website.

Apply for a position

Employer procedures

The procedures outlined below are for the domestic and international work-study program.

Post a job for the work-study program

Step 1: Complete the Work-Study Program Job Request Form

  • The Work-Study Program Job Request Form will open on Monday, March 17 at 8:30 a.m. for the spring 2025 term.
  • You can only submit one Work-Study Program Job Request Form per term and hire one student for your position.
  • Positions will be evaluated in the order they are received.

Step 2: Work-Study position is approved by Student Awards & Financial Aid

  • For domestic students, the position is posted on the Work-Sutdy Program website.
  • For international students, the position is posted on the International Student Work-Study Program Application web page.

Hire a student for the work-study program

Step 1: Students apply to work-study positions

  • Student Awards & Financial Aid will determine each applicant’s eligibility for the Work-Study Program.

Step 2: Conduct an interview

  • Students will contact you to arrange an interview.
  • Verify their eligibility by requesting the Work-Study Program Referral page (for domestic students only).

Step 3: Hiring students

 Step 4: Hire students using Workday

  • Using the Human Resources Workday User Guide For Managers (PDF) follow the instructions on Hire a Work-Study Employee for completion.
  • Click submit to send to Human Resources for review.

Step 5: Paying students

  • Submit payroll on Workday to Human Resources bi-weekly to ensure the student is paid. Note: The Work-Study Program covers 75% of the student's wages, up to a maximum of $1,500 (75% of $2,000), including vacation pay and benefits per academic term.
  • Reference the Workday User Guide for Managers (PDF) Time Entry and Approval instructions.