Work programs

To be eligible for a Work Study job, you must fulfil one of the three eligibility requirement options:

Option 1: Students approved for OSAP

I have been approved for OSAP for the current Work Study term, and the following criteria apply: 

• I am fees arranged, and
• I am enrolled in a full-time course load, consisting of:
  • 1.5 units or more, or
  • 1.0 unit or more for students with disabilities listed on my OSAP profile.

Note: Undergraduate and graduate students can apply.

Option 2: Students approved for out-of-province financial aid 

I have been approved for out-of-province financial aid for the current Work Study term, and the following criteria apply:

• I am fees arranged, and
• I am enrolled in full-time course load with 1.5 units or more. 

Complete the Out-of-Province Work Study Form. 

Option 3: International students 

I am enrolled in the current Work Study term, and:

• I am fees arranged, and

• I am enrolled in year 1B or higher, and

• I am enrolled in a full-time course load.

If you fulfil one of the three eligibility requirement options, you may log into WaterlooWorks and submit your applications. Fees must be arranged for the Work Study term prior to applying for Work Study jobs.

How To Search For Jobs

1. Log into WaterlooWorks.
2. Select Work Study program Jobs link from the main menu.
3. Select the All Jobs button from the Job Search Overview page.
4. From the Job Search Results page, select the Job Title link(s) to open the job posting(s).

How to Apply To Jobs

1. Review the job posting information and note the eligibility option that applies to you.
2. Select the Apply button from the Floating Action Bar.

3. From the Pre-Screening Question page, select your Work Study program eligibility option.
4. Select the Next button.
5. From the Application Options page, select the Create Custom Application Package button.
   • Alternatively, you may select the Default Application Package button if you have a default application package already set and it contains the required documents.
6. Select the Upload New Cover Letter button to upload your cover letter.
7. Select the Upload New Resume button to upload your resume.
   • Alternatively, you may …
     • Select Existing Cover Letter and Select Existing Resume buttons if you have already uploaded these documents, or
     • Select from 3 resume defaults if you have default resumes already set.
8. Select the Submit button.
9. Select the Done button to return to the Job Search Results page.

How to Check your Application Status

1. Select Work Study program Jobs link from the main menu.
2. Select the My Applications folder link from the My Jobs section.
3. Navigate to the App Status column …
   • If you are eligible, the job status will display Referred.
   • If you are not eligible, the job status will display Declined.
   • If the employer decides to cancel the job posting, the job status will display Cancelled.
   • If the employer has decided to hire you, the job status will display Employed.

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

Step 1: Complete the Job Request Form

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

• Note: Job requests are evaluated in the order they are received.

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

• Note: Once approved, the job is posted on the Job Board in WaterlooWorks, which is accessible to students only. 

Step 1: Students apply to available positions

• Note: SAFA determines each applicant’s eligibility for the program. Applications from eligible students will be sent to you in a single email.

Step 2: Schedule the interviews

• Note: The employer is responsible for contacting students and conducting the interview process.

Step 3: Hiring students

• Complete the Work Study Employer Declaration and Hiring Form:
  • For domestic students, complete the Domestic Work Study program Employer Declaration and Hiring Form.
  • For international students, complete the International Work Study program Employer Declaration and Hiring Form.
• Note: The Work Study Declaration Form finalizes the Work Study program funding arrangement between your department and the University of Waterloo. If the employer fails to provide the completed Work Study Declaration Form, your department will be 100% responsible for the student’s salary.

Step 4: Await approval confirmation

• Only proceed with adding the student to Workday once Student Awards & Financial Aid has verified their eligibility and sent you email approval.

Step 5: Hire students using Workday

• Once approval is obtained, log into Workday to Hire a Work Study employee.
• After the hire is approved, The New Hire Information Sheet (PDF) guides a new employee through the requirements to be completed before the first day of work. 

Step 6: Paying students

• Managers or Timekeepers can enter hours for casual staff, or employees can enter their own hours weekly (casual pay), following the payroll deadlines.
• All hours must be submitted and approved within the pay period in which the work was performed.
• If a student exceeds the $2,000 term maximum, the hiring department is responsible for any additional salary costs.
  • Note: To calculate the maximum number of hours for the term, divide $2,000 by the student’s hourly rate. A chart with common hourly rates is provided to help monitor maximum hours.