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Work Study Program Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Work Study Program information

See California salary details

$24.7K

$51.7K

$89.3K

How much do work study program jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for work study program in California is $51,674.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $39,500.00 and $58,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Work Study Program?

A Work Study Program is a federally or institutionally funded program that provides part-time jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay for educational expenses. These jobs are often located on campus or with approved off-campus employers, and are designed to be flexible with students' class schedules. Participating in work study can help students gain valuable work experience while also assisting with college costs. Not all students qualify, as eligibility is determined through the financial aid application process.

How does participating in a Work Study Program help students develop professional skills while balancing academic responsibilities?

Participating in a Work Study Program allows students to gain valuable work experience directly related to their field of study, often in a flexible environment that accommodates their class schedules. Students typically work part-time on campus or with approved off-campus employers, developing skills such as time management, communication, and teamwork. Balancing work and academics can be challenging, but supervisors in these programs are usually understanding of academic commitments and may offer additional support during exam periods. This practical experience not only enhances a resume but also helps students build professional networks that can be beneficial after graduation.

What is a work-study job?

A work-study job is a part-time position offered to eligible students as part of a work-study program, which provides financial aid through employment. These jobs typically involve on-campus or community work and help students earn money to support their education while gaining work experience. The positions often require students to balance work hours with their academic schedules and may involve specific skills or tasks related to the job.

What is the difference between Work Study Program vs Teaching Assistant?

AspectWork Study ProgramTeaching Assistant
Required CredentialsVaries; often enrolled students, sometimes with specific GPA requirementsUsually enrolled students, sometimes with coursework or experience prerequisites
Work EnvironmentOn-campus, flexible hours, administrative or support rolesClassroom or lab settings, assisting professors or instructors
Employer & Industry UsageEducational institutions, government, non-profitsEducational institutions, primarily colleges and universities

The Work Study Program provides students with part-time on-campus jobs to help finance their education, often with flexible hours. Teaching Assistants support faculty by grading, leading discussions, or assisting in labs, typically requiring some coursework or experience. While both roles are on-campus and aimed at students, Work Study offers broader job types, whereas Teaching Assistants focus specifically on academic support.

What jobs make $3,000 a day?

High-earning jobs such as specialized surgeons, anesthesiologists, or senior corporate executives can earn around $3,000 or more per day, often due to extensive experience, advanced skills, and demanding schedules. Freelance consultants or successful entrepreneurs in certain industries may also reach this level of daily income, typically through high-value contracts or business profits.

What are examples of work-study jobs?

Work-study jobs include positions such as library assistants, administrative aides, research assistants, tutoring roles, and campus service workers. These jobs typically involve on-campus tasks and may require skills like customer service, organization, or basic computer proficiency. They are designed to provide students with work experience while accommodating their academic schedules.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a Work Study Program, and why are they important?

To thrive in a Work Study Program, you generally need strong time management, organizational skills, and be enrolled as a student meeting eligibility requirements. Familiarity with basic office software, data entry systems, or specific campus platforms is often necessary depending on the assigned role. Dependability, adaptability, and effective communication help you balance academic and work responsibilities while building professional relationships. These skills and qualities ensure you can successfully contribute to your workplace, manage your workload, and gain valuable experience for future employment.

What can you do with work-study money?

Work-study money is used to pay for part-time jobs that are often on-campus or related to a student's field of study. It can be used to cover expenses such as tuition, books, and personal costs, and typically requires earning through approved work hours. The program helps students gain work experience while earning money to support their education.
What are the most commonly searched types of Program jobs in California? The most popular types of Program jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Work Study Program jobs? Cities in California with the most Work Study Program job openings:
Infographic showing various Work Study Program job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,674 per year, or $24.8 per hour.
Assistant Director, Financial Aid (FWS)

Assistant Director, Financial Aid (FWS)

ArtCenter College of Design

Pasadena, CA • On-site

$30 - $37/hr

Full-time

Posted 23 days ago


Job description

ArtCenter College of Design is searching for an experienced Assistant Director, Financial Aid (FWS) to join our team.
The salary range for this position: $30.00 - 37.00 per hour (35-hour workweek)
Finalsalary is based on education, experience, skills relevant to therole, and internal equity.
About ArtCenter
Foundedin 1930 and located in Pasadena, California, ArtCenter College of Design is a globalleader in art and design education and has had an international reputation forits rigorous, transdisciplinary curriculum, faculty of professionals, strongties to industry, and commitment to socially responsible design. ArtCenter is aprivate nonprofit fully accredited by the WASC Senior College and UniversityCommission (WSCUC).
Every position atArtCenter plays an important part in carrying out the cultural values, goals,strategic vision, and mission of the College. This includes upholding andcultivating an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment where everyonefeels a sense of belonging.
Job Summary
Every position at ArtCenter plays an important part in carrying out the cultural values, goals, strategic vision, and mission of the College. This includes upholding and cultivating an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging.
Reporting to the Director of Operations this position will counsel students and families on the financial aid process, determining eligibility, and awarding federal, state, and institutional aid. The incumbent will be responsible for managing the Federal Work Study Program and may assist with awarding and other programs as assigned.
This is a full-time position with a schedule of Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. The position is eligible for flexible scheduling and can be performed, remotely, hybrid with a minimum of 3 days on site or required as a condition of employment, subject to change depending on the staffing needs of the office.
Essential Functions
Financial Aid Advising and Compliance - 50%
  • Counsel students and parents regarding federal, state, institutional and privately funded programs; explain student financial aid policies, procedures and processes; evaluate student situations and requests regarding financial aid awards; advise students on the timely completion of financial aid applications
  • Manage assigned financial programs as distributed among office staff
  • Assist in scholarship and award process including adjustments and revisions; advise students regarding standards of satisfactory academic progress, address problems and other matters pertaining to continued eligibility; respond to telephone calls, correspondence and email messages
  • Assist at special on-campus admissions and financial aid activities
  • Provide counseling on budgeting, aggregate loan limits, debt management, bankruptcy and default resolution as it applies to financial aid; offer assistance and provide initial admission, accounting and registration information
  • Ensure compliance on federal and state regulations
  • Process all forms in accordance with State and Federal regulations and Institutional policies and procedures; complete and maintain required documentation in the student financial aid file

Operations - 30%
  • Manage assigned financial programs as distributed among office staff
  • Process all forms in accordance with State and Federal regulations and Institutional policies and procedures; complete and maintain required documentation in the student financial aid file
  • Primary administrator for Federal Work study program:
    1. Monitor and verify eligibility requirements for Federal Work study per Department of Education regulations
    2. Maintain position descriptions and authorize students to work in Federal Work-Study positions
    3. Develop, communicate, and cross train staff on student employment guidelines and process
    4. Collaborate with Payroll regarding student eligibility and monitor student biweekly earnings
    5. Interface with Human Resources Office to process required paperwork to add students to the payroll system
    6. Set and adjust pay rates and end dates

Reporting and Compliance - 15%
  • Ensure compliance on federal and state regulations
  • Generate reports and meaningful data as needed

Other Duties - 5%
  • Serve on educational or institutional committees as appropriate
  • Maintain memberships and active involvement in applicable professional organizations
  • Assist at special on-campus admissions and financial aid activities including Orientation
  • Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in related field from an accredited college or university or equivalent work experience
  • 4 years of current experience in financial aid, higher education, or similar work
  • Experience with the Federal Work Study Program
  • Adaptability to and knowledge of ever-changing regulations
  • Commitment to the role of financial aid in providing educational access
  • Knowledge of all federal and state regulations regarding financial aid
  • Prior experience in counseling, information integration
  • Proficiency in MS Office Suite including Excel, Word, PowerPoint
  • Experience with student software, COD, NSLDS, Web Grants
  • Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills to work effectively with staff, students, parents, and other external contacts
  • Organizational skills to prioritize, manage multiple assignments, and be a team player
  • Ability to maintain detailed information with transparency and integrity
  • Self-motivated, with ability for independent and detailed thinking
  • Demonstrated experience in cultivating an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment into workplace practices within ArtCenter's diverse communities

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with administration of Federal Work Study or other programs desirable
  • Knowledge of art and design education
  • Experience with Ellucian Colleague
  • Prior experience in higher education
  • Proficiency in a second language (other than English)

Diversity Statement
ArtCenter is fully committed to fostering a culture that values diversity, equity, inclusion, access and belonging not only in vision but in practice. Our path forward is predicated on our belief that multiple points of view, life experiences, ethnicities, cultures and belief systems are essential to academic and creative excellence. We strive to learn more about difference while respecting the rich diversity in our world, attending to important questions about racial injustice and decolonizing our curriculum. Our campus environment must be vigilant in supporting the full participation of students, faculty, and staff of every race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, socioeconomic status and political viewpoint.
Equal Opportunity EmployerArtCenter is committed to a policy of equalemployment opportunity and does not discriminate against its employees orapplicants on the basis of race (including hair texture and protectivehairstyle), color, religion (includes religious dress and grooming practices),sex/gender (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and/or relatedmedical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, maritalstatus, medical condition (genetic characteristics, cancer, or a record orhistory of cancer), military or veteran status, national origin, ancestry,disability (mental and physical, including HIV/AIDS, cancer, and geneticcharacteristics), genetic information, request for family care or medicalleave, age (over 40), criminal background (Fair Chance Act), reproductivehealth decision-making, off-duty and off-premisescannabis use, or any other actual or perceived characteristic protected byapplicable state or federal law. Equal employment opportunity is extended toall persons in all aspects of the employer-employee relationship, includingwithout limitation, recruitment, hiring, upgrading, learning and professionaldevelopment, promotion, compensation, benefits, leave of absence, transfer,discipline, layoff, recall and termination. This commitment applies to allpersons involved in the operations of ArtCenter and prohibits unlawfuldiscrimination by any employee of ArtCenter. Applicants who wish to request an accommodation for a disability may contact the Office of Employee Experience and Engagement at (626) 396-2470.
Applicant Rights (Prior Cannabis Use)
ArtCenterwill not request information from an applicant relating to the applicant'sprior use of cannabis. ArtCenter will not use information obtained from acriminal history about an applicant or employee's prior cannabis use, unlessArtCenter is permitted to consider that information under applicable law.
Employment At-Will
All employment with ArtCenter is for anunspecified term and is "at-will." Employees are free to resign at any time,with or without reason, and with or without prior notice. Similarly, ArtCenterhas the right to terminate the employment relationship at any time, with orwithout cause, and with or without prior notice. This "at-will" employment,which includes the College's right to transfer, discipline, demote, or changethe conditions of employment with or without cause and with or without priornotice, cannot be modified, amended orwaived by any oral or implied agreement, and may be modified or altered only byan express individualized written employment agreement signed by both theemployee and the College president
ArtCenter Employees have a Mandatory Duty to Report
All employees who know or have reason to know of allegations or acts that violate ArtCenter's Title IX Policy prohibiting discrimination, harassment, retaliation, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual violence, dating violence, and stalking shall promptly inform the , Title IX Coordinator or designee, or the Associate Dean of Students or designee. Faculty, who have a mandatory duty to report, are required to disclose all information including the names of the parties, even where the person has requested their name remain confidential.
Pursuant to the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), all employees who know of or have reason to suspect child abuse or neglect involving alleged victims under age 18 shall promptly inform local law enforcement or the county welfare department.