Student Employment

The objective of the Student Employment

Program of Saint Elizabeth University is to offer diverse employment opportunities which provide financial assistance to enrolled students. The program is also devoted to cultivating each student’s personal and career development especially in the areas of responsibility, leadership, and professionalism.

Students must meet and maintain certain requirements in order to be considered for on campus employment. To be eligible to participate in the Student Employment Program, a student must be enrolled in an academic program and working towards degree completion.

Once a student is enrolled as a participant in the Student Employment Program, they are required to comply with all provisions and regulations of the Student Employment Program as defined by the Experiential Learning Center. Many of these regulations are defined below; however, more information about the program can be obtained online at www.steu.edu/studentemployment or by visiting the Experiential Learning Center.

The Student Employment Program for Saint Elizabeth University is divided into three employment categories: Federal Work Study (FWS), Community-Based Work Study (CBWS) and Institutional Work Study (IWS). Provided next is a brief description of each program:

Federal Work Study (FWS)

This program is a federally sponsored program for financially qualified students, as defined by federal guidelines. Federal Work Study funds are paid, in part or totally, by the federal government.

As a result, students receiving these funds must demonstrate financial need according to government standards. Students who apply for financial aid using the FAFSA are automatically evaluated to determine eligibility for the FWS Program if they check off they want FWS consideration.

If the student is eligible, FWS funds are included in the student’s financial aid offer. The offer letter will state the maximum amount a student may earn under the FWS for the academic year. The Office of Career Services, in partnership with the Financial Aid Office, notifies eligible students of the availability of these funds, and of the process of applying for a job. No student may receive FWS funds without a valid FWS award from the Financial Aid Office.

Eligibility is determined on an annual basis. FWS students may work in any approved on-campus site and are subject to all provisions and regulations of the Student Employment Program. All FWS student earnings are monitored in accordance with federal regulations.

Community-Based Work Study (CBWS)

Through this federally sponsored program, students are able to work off-campus in precontracted organizations. Participating organizations provide service to the local community and are committed to improving the quality of life for residents. CBWS is limited to FWS eligible students only and all participants must meet the same criteria as on-campus federal work study employees as defined above. Eligible students are notified about CBWS opportunities by the Experiential Learning Center in collaboration with the Financial Aid Office.

Institutional Work Study (IWS)

All students who do not qualify for FWS are considered institutional work study students. Students may work in any approved on-campus site, are subject to all provisions and regulations of the Student Employment Program, and are compensated by the University through institutional funds dedicated to that purpose.

Paperwork

Students are required to complete and submit hiring paperwork to the Experiential Learning Center prior to the start of their employment. Student Employment hiring paperwork includes an agreement, a human resources form, a financial aid form, a W4, and an I9 form with the proper identification. 

Hours Worked

Students are allowed to only work 20 hours a week during the semester while classes are in session. If a student has more than one job through the Student Employment Program, the combined hours of all jobs should not exceed 20 hours a week. During scheduled school breaks, such as winter, spring and summer recess, a student may work up to 25 hours per work week, exclusive of any lunch and dinner period. If a student has more than one job through the Student Employment Program during a recess period, the combined hours of all jobs must not exceed 25 hours a week.

A student employee may work in an approved on or off campus position during a winter, spring, or summer recess.  However, there are a limited number of positions available. If a student would like to work during a recess, they must be enrolled for courses in the subsequent term. If a student would like to work during the summer, they must be enrolled in summer courses and/or for the following fall semester. Campus housing is NOT provided for students working on campus when school is not in session.

University Time

Students must record their hours online through University Time. Students are responsible for updating their account online each day that they work. Students are required to record their hours worked on a daily basis with the appropriate adjustments for meals and breaks. It is illegal to falsify any information on a timesheet. This includes falsifying a time document, estimating hours worked, forging a signature, or claiming hours that were not worked. Timesheet information is monitored and audited by the university, independent auditors, and the US Department of Education.

Saint Elizabeth University Financial Aid Office and the Experiential Learning Center will report any suspected fraud or falsified information (on the part of the student, the parent, preparer of financial aid applications, or related parties) to the US Department of Education and all other related parties for immediate action. This information may also be forwarded to federal authorities other than the US Department of Education for investigation.

Paychecks

Paychecks are generated by the Business Office and distributed to student employees through the Experiential Learning Center. Paychecks are distributed twice a month. If the payday occurs on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, employees will be paid on the last workday before the payday. Issuance dates are established by the Business Office for the academic year at the beginning of the fall semester. Copies of these dates are available in the Experiential Learning Center. Students who would like their paychecks directly deposited into their checking or savings account should complete the necessary paperwork in the Business Office. 

Student employees are subject to the withholding of taxes from their earnings. A percentage of the student’s gross earnings will be withheld for Federal Income Tax in accordance with the student’s W4 form. If the student meets certain conditions, they may be eligible to claim full exemption from federal withholding tax. If the student is enrolled less than full-time (12 credit hours) or if the student is working 20 hours per week or more, they might be subject to additional federal taxes that will be deducted from their paycheck. Since the University is a New Jersey employer, they are required to withhold New Jersey state income tax from wages paid to all New Jersey residents as well.

Professional Development

Student Employment provides a valuable opportunity for students to develop professional skills. Through working closely with their supervisors, students develop skills in areas such as effective communication, organization, research and investigation techniques, teamwork, accountability, responsibility, and time management. The Experiential Learning Center provides individualized training/counseling for students who request it, as well as group training for supervisors each year. Throughout the year, student employees are encouraged to attend campus workshops on various professional development topics.

At the end of each year, supervisors are asked to evaluate their student employee in their office. This process helps the student discover their strengths while identifying areas where development is still needed.

Getting Started

If a student is interested in participating in the Student Employment Program, they should visit the Office of Career Services both for assistance with the process, and to receive appropriate paperwork BEFORE beginning to work. A representative from the office will help the student identify possible job opportunities and guide the student through the paperwork process.