Work programs

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 applied for and have been granted OSAP or other provincial student aid funding during the academic term 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; and
• be in satisfactory academic standing.

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.

Step 1: Complete a Work Placement Eligibility Form, indicating the job identification number(s) you have applied for or will be applying to in WaterlooWorks.

Step 2: Submit an application

• Visit Co-operative Education's (CE) website to apply through WaterlooWorks

Step 3: 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 4: Wait to be contacted for an interview and follow up with CE as required

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.

Work Placement program:

• Email: Student Awards and Financial Aid
• Maureen Jones, Director, SAFA, ext. 46039

Co-op student issues:

• Carol Ann Olheiser
  Regional Manager, University Employer
  Co-operative Education, ext. 32482

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.

• 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

• 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 and email the Non-OSAP Work Study Program Application (PDF) to the financial aid assistant - special programs and work-study for approval. Once students receive an approval email, log in to the Work-Study Program website and submit your 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.

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

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.

Submit the online International Student Work-Study Program Application. You can view all current positions available at the top of the form. Note: You will be required to upload a copy of your study permit.

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

• You can request up to a maximum of three students per term.

Step 2: Work-Study position is approved and posted on the Work-Study Program website

• You will receive an approval email from Student Awards & Financial Aid.

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

• The student(s) will contact you to arrange an interview.
• Verify their eligibility by requesting the Work-Study Program Referral page.

Step 3: Hiring the student(s)

• Domestic: Complete and email the Work-Study Declaration Form to the financial aid assistant - special programs & work-study, Student Awards & Financial Aid.
• International: Complete and email the Work-Study Declaration Form to the director, Student Awards & Financial Aid.
• 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: Hire the Student(s) 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 the Student(s)

• Submit payroll on Workday to Human Resources bi-weekly to ensure the student is paid.
• Reference the Workday User Guide for Managers (PDF) Time Entry and Approval instructions.