Skip to main content

Student Employment

The student employment component of a financial aid award represents the opportunity to have a job on campus or through one of our off-campus employment partners. You are responsible for finding a position that aligns with your preferences and schedule, and are encouraged to apply early for the best selection of jobs.

First-year students on work-study may work all over campus and off campus in a wide variety of jobs, including but not limited to jobs in Dining Services, academic offices, groundskeeping, the library systems, and America Reads tutoring program.  Incoming first year students may find it convenient to obtain their desired hours in the many shifts Dining Services has available as the largest employer on campus. They will offer incoming students the opportunity to sign up for shifts upon arrival on campus which will free first years up to concentrate on the many aspects of settling in on campus and beginning their academic schedule.

You may work to earn money for books and supplies, to put towards your tuition accounts, or for personal spending money. There is no obligation to work all or any of the hours awarded, though income not earned is not replaced with other aid.

For information about work-study at Smith College, see Student Employment.

Earnings

Refer to your financial aid award on to verify the type and amount of work-study you are eligible for, which in turn determines where you can work and how much you can earn. Your other aid will not be increased if you choose not to work. Your earnings are paid directly to you.

Holding a position with the residence life office will impact your financial aid award. The aid adjustment will depend on the position. Please contact us to determine how your award would be affected by a residence life position.

Beginning the academic year 21-22, students working as part of the Residential Life Student Staff will receive a stipend for the work performed.  This stipend will be paid in equal amounts throughout the semester(s).  The actual stipend will be determined by Residential Life and will be based upon longevity within that department. 

Financial Aid Impact – For those students who currently have work study in their financial aid award, a revision will be made to replace the work study allocation with the Res Life Stipend.  The award revision will only show a dollar for dollar replacement of work study amount with a Res Life Stipend in order to reduce any confusion related to the award revision.  The full amount of the stipend will be paid through the Payroll Office.  In other words, a work study award of $3,460 will be replaced with a Res Life Stipend of $3,460 when in reality, the full amount of the Res Life Stipend paid will be no less than $4,140 (with the actual amount depending on the hiring contract). 

Contact Student Employment

College Hall 103

Smith College

Northampton, MA 01063