Supervisors of students

Federal Work-Study is granted to students based on need determined by their completed FAFSA forms. These opportunities allow students to build skills for their resume and enjoy being part of an expanded, supportive community within their assigned departments.

Federal Work-Study can provide qualified students with income and financial security through work experience. These opportunities allow students to build skills for their resume and an expanded, supportive community within their assigned departments.

Departments hiring Federal Work-Study students can engage directly in student success and alignment with the university's mission. Federal Work-Study can also provide departments with staffing solutions and potential budget savings.

Through the Federal Work-Study Program, departments are responsible for 17% of student wages. If your department is interested in learning more about how to utilize Federal Work-Study in your department, please email FWS@uky.edu.

First, consider when you need the student employee to start. Be sure to give yourself ample time to conduct interviews and properly commit to the process.  

The beginning of the fall and spring semesters typically yield more applicants searching for jobs. Over the summer and holiday breaks, the number of applicants tends to be lower.

In addition to posting your position on the UK Jobs website, you can use additional methods to advertise your opportunity to students.

• Sign up to participate in the Part-Time Jobs Fair! HR Student Employment and Stuckert Career Center co-host this event each fall and spring.
• Use your department’s social media accounts or listservs.
• Ask other departments or professors to share the position if their area relates to the position.
• Post your position on Handshake through the Stuckert Career Center. Any UK position posted on Handshake must refer students to the UK Jobs website to apply.

If you are hiring a large number of students:

• Run an ad in the Kentucky Kernel or Wildcat Rundown.
• Submit digital signage to advertise your position in residence halls and other campus buildings.
• Host tabling events around campus to promote your opportunities.
• Place yard signs around campus.

Student position pay rates do not follow a formal approval process through HR Compensation. We encourage you to evaluate the appropriate pay based on job duties, department budget and pay of similar positions. All pay rates must meet Kentucky’s minimum wage requirement.

Student employee hours depend on a department’s budget and departmental policies. When setting a schedule for student positions, we recommend having students work about 20 hours per week. This allows students time to concentrate on their academic needs. Each student employee’s needs are different, and students may want to work additional hours. While UK does not have a formal policy on the number of hours student employees may work, some regulations limit the number of hours in specific situations:

• Federal Work-Study students can work up to 29 hours per week and are not eligible for overtime. The amount of funding allocated per student also impacts the total number of hours Federal Work-Study students can work per semester.  
• International students must follow visa requirements. F-1 and J-1 visa regulations state students can work up to 20 hours per week during academic periods and up to 40 hours per week during academic breaks.
• Official assistantship or fellowship positions, such as graduate assistants, teaching assistants, etc., are not expected to exceed 20 hours per week unless an official work overload form is submitted and approved through the Graduate School. With approval, students can work up to 28 hours per week.  
• Students in a student/non-work study position that do not fall into one of the above categories are able to work more than 20 hours per week but should not exceed 40 hours per week unless the department is able to pay overtime.
• Students who work more than one position should ensure they do not work more than 40 combined hours per week.

When managing students, it is important to understand they are a student first and an employee second. This means you will want to provide additional support and flexibility, especially around their academic commitments.

There are no grade requirements to be employed as a student employee for most students. However, students must remain in good academic standing and enrolled at the university. If a student is suspended for reasons including academics, they are no longer enrolled in classes and therefore cannot be employed as a student employee.

Teaching assistants and resident assistants must maintain satisfactory progress. That includes maintaining a minimum 3.0 grade point average as well as other measures which may be established by departmental policy with approval from the Graduate Council.  

If your student employee decides to leave a position, they are recommended to provide at least a two-week notice before resigning from a position. Student employees should contact their immediate supervisor for any department-required notice. STEPS employees are required to give at least five days notice.  

Failure to provide required notice can result in being ineligible for any future position at UK. With students, we want to provide them the resources to be successful, so please communicate this requirement with your student employees.

If a student is not enrolling in a graduate program after graduation, they are not able to continue to work in a student position. However, they can continue to work if your department switches them to a STEPS temporary position. This switch should take place prior to the start of the pay period after graduation.

Student employment opportunities provide the chance to gain real-world professional experience while contributing to the success of our university.

Supervisors of students should have a plan for professional development as with other staff positions. We want to equip our students for the next step in their careers.

The National Association of Colleges and Employers offers information on the importance of career readiness. This includes competencies you can read more about and how you can help prepare your student employees for success.

UK also offers additional resources:

Wildcat Works
UK Grow
 
Another important part of student employee development is regular evaluation. Use these guides in your discussions with your student employee:

Sample student performance evaluation
Sample interview guide
Sample exit interview guide