#  Frequently Asked Questions 

 



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Employer &amp; Faculty FAQs

 

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###    Can a student have more than one job on Work Study?  expand\_more  

 Yes but the student will be asked to split their award between the multiple jobs. Be sure that they [register ](/fwsp-students-registration)all jobs with the Student Employment Office. 



 

 

 



###    Can a student work during winter recess, spring break, etc.?  expand\_more  

 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](/summer-fwsp).

 



 

 

 



###    Can I pay a student worker more than the minimum wage range?  expand\_more  

 Yes you can. Please review the [FWSP wage range](/wage-ranges) 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.  
 



 

 

 



###    Do I have to keep track of my Work Study student's earnings?  expand\_more  

 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. 



 

 

 



###    How do I find out if a student is Federal Work Study Eligible?  expand\_more  

 The easiest way is to submit a job[ referal card](/fwsp-students-registration) 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](https://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.

 



 

 

 



###    How is my department billed for Work Study earnings?  expand\_more  

 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. 



 

 

 



###    How many hours per week are student employees permitted to work?  expand\_more  

 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 ](https://www.hio.harvard.edu/campus-employment)and should check with their HIO advisor if they have questions about how many hours they can work and what time of year.

 



 

 

 



###    I don't see WST as a Time Reporting Code anymore. What now?  expand\_more  

 Report the time as REG so that there is no disruption in pay then contact the [Harvard Student Employment Office](mailto:seofwsp@fas.harvard.edu) to report the missing Time Reporting Code. 



 

 

 



###    I work in a department that has multiple people posting jobs. Is it possible for people to see/edit each other’s postings?  expand\_more  

 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. 



 

 

 



###    Is Federal Work Study available in summer and during the breaks?  expand\_more  

 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](/summer-fwsp)

 



 

 

 



###    Is Work Study award for the semester or whole academic year?  expand\_more  

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



 

 

 



###    What is a Referral Card and who needs to complete it?  expand\_more  

 The [Referral Card ](/fwsp-students-registration)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.