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.

Important: To complete your application, email the following documents to Alexandria Torres:

1. Your Provincial Funding Assessment for the current work-study term
2. A signed copy of the Out-Of-Province Work-Study Application Form (PDF)

Option 3: International students 

I am an international student for the current work-study term, and the following criteria apply:

• I am fees arranged, and
• I am enrolled in year 1B or higher, and
• I am enrolled in a full-time course load.

Important: International students are eligible only to apply for international work-study positions. Applications submitted to domestic work-study jobs will be declined. 

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 Work-Study Program Job Request Form

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 job.

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

• Jobs will be evaluated in the order they are received.

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

• Domestic and international jobs are posted on the Work-Study Program Job Board in WaterlooWorks.
  Please note, this job board is accessible to students only.

Step 1: Students apply to work-study jobs

• Student Awards & Financial Aid will determine each applicant’s eligibility for the Work-Study Program.
• Job applications will be emailed to you.

Step 2: Scheduling the interview

• It is the employer's responsibility to contact the students to schedule and carry out 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

• Do not add the student to Workday until you receive confirmation from Student Awards and Financial Aid that they have been approved for the Work-Study program.

Step 5: 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 6: 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.