Frequently Asked Questions

Yes but the student will be asked to split their award between the multiple jobs. Be sure that they register all jobs with the Student Employment Office.

 

Students may continue their employment during winter recess, spring break, or the summer, provided that they will be re-enrolling the following semester. They should not be required to work on any day that the university is closed for an observed holiday, nor should they work on-site when an office is closed. With clear instruction and supervisor approval, student employees may work remotely when an office is closed, as long as it's not an observed holiday.

Students utilizing their Federal Work Study awards may also work during winter recess or spring break. Federal Work Study can also be used over the Summer semester. However, students may need to apply for Summer FWSP with their school. Learn more about Summer Federal Work Study.

 

Yes you can. Please review the FWSP wage range to confirm that the rate you wish to pay exceeds the range for undergraduates or graduate students. There is currently no maximum wage for FWSP.
 

Yes, it is in your best interest to ensure that your Work Study student worker does not exceed his/her ceiling. If they do then the Student Employment Office will journal the excess amount on your behalf within 45 days. Since this has budgetary implications we strongly encourage you to keep careful track of Work Study earnings.

The easiest way is to submit a job referal card for the student. You would then receive an email from the SEO specifying whether the student is eligible or not.

Undergraduates can check at my.harvard.edu by reviewing their financial aid award letter. The line item would look as so: Term Time Work Expectation (Work Study).

Graduate students should inquire with their school's financial aid office.

On a weekly basis student earnings will appear as though your department is paying 100% of the wages. At the end of each month the Mass Allocation process will automatically split the earnings so that your departmental share is 25% during the academic year or 25% + fringe rate during the summer.

Undergraduates may work up to a total of 20 hours per week during the academic school year.

Graduate students should check with their school's financial aid office for each school's policy on number of hours permitted to work per week.

Graduate and undergraduate students may work up to 40 hours per week during breaks (Spring Break, Reading Period, Winter Recess, etc.). There is no compensation for lunch or break times, vacation days, or holidays.

International students are subject to visa restrictions and should check with their HIO advisor if they have questions about how many hours they can work and what time of year. 

Report the time as REG so that there is no disruption in pay then contact the Harvard Student Employment Office to report the missing Time Reporting Code.

Absolutely. Send us an email to seoweb@fas.harvard.edu with (1) the name of the department and (2) the names of people who need such access and we’d be glad to activate that feature.

Yes, students utilizing their Federal Work Study awards may also work during the summer, winter recess, or spring break. You will need to rehire them in the summer due to the fringe benefit attached to Summer FWS.

Summer FWSP Note: Especially for summer, because Federal Work Study is a form of financial aid, make sure the student FAFSA is completed as soon as possible, and apply for financial aid through Harvard. Undergrads will also have to complete a short form indicating their  interest in Summer Federal Work Study. Learn more about Summer Federal Work Study

Your Federal Work Study award is for the full academic year so plan accordingly.

The Referral Card registers a work study job with the Student Employment Office. The SEO will then activate the WST time reporting code in PeopleSoft thereby allowing students to accurately report their time and administrators to take advantage of the significant cost savings associated with Federal Work Study. The Referral Card requests basic information about the position and also the department's TUB/ORG. It may be completed by either the student or the supervisor.

Both parties will receive an email confirming the student's Federal Work Study eligibility. If eligible, the supervisor or payroll administrator should reply to the email with the student worker's PeopleSoft Employee Record Number.