Work-Study Opportunities
For most of our students, having a job on campus is part of the Luther experience. Whether you are tutoring other students, working in the library, doing research for a professor, lifeguarding at the pool, planting flowers with our groundskeepers, editing the school paper or working in the cafeteria, we hope you are finding your position to be a valuable way to serve the Luther community, gain important work experience and earn money toward tuition and other expenses.
Studies show that students who work while in college actually do better. It makes perfect sense to us—working alongside each other and our faculty and staff provides the opportunity to build unique relationships and gain confidence and ownership as you learn more about the Luther campus community by investing your time and energy in making it run smoothly.
Eligibility
All full-time, degree-seeking students who have not completed their bachelor’s degrees are eligible to be considered for work-study. Students who apply for need-based financial aid will be considered for work-study funded through the Federal College Work-Study Program. Those who do not qualify for need-based financial aid or those who do not apply for financial aid will be funded through the Luther College Work-Study Program.
Work-Study Award Notification
Financial Aid will automatically renew work-study awards as part of your annual financial aid notification if you previously earned work-study. You are typically limited to work a maximum of 10 hours a week ($2000 a year), to allow time for studies and involvement in other campus activities.
Finding Your Position
Student Employment will remind you to find your position during the spring semester for the following fall. We encourage you to start with the supervisor at your current job, supervisors in the department of your major or in departments that might be able to provide you with work experience that is unique to a special skill you have, such as lifeguarding. If you need assistance in finding a job for the following year,check the job postings on this web-site, or come to the Student Employment Office and we will be happy to help. Once a job has been secured for the following academic year, your supervisor will confirm your employment through the Student Employment Office.
Payment
At the beginning of each month, your supervisor must submit your signed timecard to the Student Employment Office. Payroll will be processed the second week of each month. Work-study wages can be paid directly to you by check, or by direct deposit, or toward your student account through participation in the work credit plan. For payroll purposes, Luther is required to collect a Federal I-9 form before you can begin working in any position. Students must also complete a Federal W4 and Iowa W4 form.
Off-Campus Community Service
Federal regulations allow Luther to fund a limited number of community-service position within the surrounding Decorah community. These positions include reading and math tutors in the elementary schools, reading to children in the Decorah Library, and community service positions in various non-profit agencies and government offices. Only students who are awarded Federal College Work-Study are eligible to work in a community service position. If you are interested in working in one of these positions, contact the Student Employment Office.