Student Employment

Working is a great way to get on-the-job experience and earn money for college at the same time. Employment, just like in the "real world," is not guaranteed. Students need to apply and be interviewed. This is a great way to learn skills that will help in your future career.

Oakland Community College offers two types of on-campus student employment: Federal Work Study (FWS) and Regular Student Employment/Student Assistants.  Understanding the difference will help you find the opportunities that match your eligibility. 

Types of Student Employment

Regular Student Employment/Student Assistants

Regular Student Employment is open to eligible OCC students regardless of financial need. These positions are funded directly by OCC departments.

Student workers looking to work on-campus must be enrolled in 6 Title IV academic credits, be in good academic standing and then will be eligible to apply for part-time jobs, work up to 20 hours per week depending on department needs (except for International Students/F-1).  F-1 students must be enrolled in at least 12 academic credits during the fall and winter semester and maintain good academic standing. 

These students can also look for job opportunities off-campus, but those positions are not funded by the college and have no requirements. 

Important note about Regular Student Employment:

• On-campus jobs are competitive.
• The current hourly wage for student workers on-campus is: $17 per hour. 

Federal Work-Study (FWS)

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a financial-aid program that provides part-time jobs for students with demonstrated financial need. FWS is not available to all students.  Students must qualify for FWS through a FAFSA application. FWS students must be enrolled in 6 Title IV academic credits, maintain good academic standing and are eligible to work either on-or-off campus. 

Important notes about FWS:

• Being awarded FWS does not guarantee you a job — you must still apply, interview and be selected.
• FWS jobs may be on-or-off campus.
• Your FWS award amount determines how long you may work.
• FWS jobs are often flexible and related to academic or career interests.

To confirm your FWS eligibility, contact Financial Aid.

How to work on-or-off campus

 

More FWS Resources

Explore more helpful resources below. 

 

For External Employers and OCC Supervisors

On-campus OCC Supervisors/Hiring Manager and off-campus Employers including FWS Employer Partners looking to hire OCC students should adhere to the following guidelines:

• Provide detailed job title and job description 
• Ensure job duties support student learning and development
• Provide clear schedules and expectations
• Approve electronic timesheets in a timely manner
• Adhere to Federal Work-Study regulations (if applicable)

To post for a position, create an account and get started with Handshake.

For OCC staff and faculty looking for information on hiring part-time student workers on-campus and posting positions, you can learn more on InsideOCC.

 

Need More Help?

Use the quick guide below to understand the department that can best support you based on your needs: