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 offers part-time, on-campus jobs for full-time domestic students who demonstrate financial need. 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:

  • enrolled in a full-time course load during the current term:
    • 1.5 units minimum per term
    • 1.0 units minimum per term for students with a disability on OSAP profile
  • receiving full-time OSAP or out-of-province financial aid for the work-study term
  • fees must be arranged for the work-study term

Apply for a work-study job

Step 1: Become "Fees Arranged" for the work-study term.

  • Fees must be arranged for the work-study term prior to applying for jobs online

Step 2: Submit a Work-Study Application

  • For students receiving full-time OSAP funding, log in to the Work-Study Program website and submit your application.
  • For students receiving out-of-province financial aid, complete the Out of Province Work-Study Application (PDF). Once you have submitted the form and your provincial funding assessment for the current work-study term, you will receive an email with further information.

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 offers part-time, on-campus jobs for full-time international students who demonstrate financial need. 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:

  • enrolled in a full-time course load for the work-study term
    • 1.5 units minimum per term
  • enrolled in 1B or higher
  • fees must be arranged for the work-study term

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

Note: Sign in to the Registrar Resources website first to avoid any access issues.

  • You can only submit one Work-Study Program Job Request Form per term for domestic students and one for international students, and hire only one student for each 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-Study 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. All other student wages, including those over $1,500, must be paid by the employer's department account.
  • Reference the Workday User Guide for Managers (PDF) Time Entry and Approval instructions.