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Student Employment

What is Student Employment?

Student employment refers to part-time or temporary work opportunities that students take on while pursuing their education. These jobs, often offered on or off campus, provide students with the chance to earn income, develop valuable workplace skills, and gain professional experience. Employment can range from internships and work-study positions to retail, service industry roles, or administrative jobs. Through student employment, students balance academic commitments with work, enhancing their time management abilities and preparing for future careers by gaining hands-on experience in real-world environments.

What are the Types of Student Employment Programs?

  • Federal Work-Study (FWS)
  • Student Employment Program (SEP)
  • Off-Campus Federal Work-Study

Work Hours

  • Maximum 20 hours per week while classes are in session
  • Maximum 28 hours per week while classes are not in sessions (i.e. Fall Break, Winter Break, Spring Break)

Pay Rate

  • $14.00/hour

Where to Apply

  • Open positions are listed on College Central Network (HACC's Career Services Platform) (CCN) https://www.collegecentral.com/hacc/
  • Search for Student Employment to view open opportunities


If you have questions about student employment, please contact the Student Employment Team at studentemployment@hacc.edu.

Federal Work-Study (FWS)

  • Demonstrate financial need by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  • Be enrolled in a minimum of six credits at HACC each term.
  • Meet Satisfactory Academic Program (SAP) standards as determined by the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress policy.
  • Have a high school diploma/GED.
  • Have a valid Social Security number.
  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
  • Not be in default on a Federal Student Loan.
  • Not owe on a Federal Student Grant

Student Employment Program (SEP)

  • Have a valid Social Security number.
  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Be enrolled at HACC and actively taking a minimum of one credit.
  • Be a U.S. citizen, eligible noncitizen, or be an international student with a valid
    F-1, J-1, or J-2 VISA.

International Students

  • International students with a valid F-1, J-1, or J-2 VISA may be eligible to work on campus through Student Employment. As of the date of this guidebook, all international students with a valid F-1, J-1, or J-2 VISA must be approved by International Student Services.

Q: When does a student need to be enrolled? 
A: Students must be enrolled in the semester they are working. Please see the chart for additional scenarios and clarification. 
  • Summer - End of spring semester– 6/30/XX 
  • Fall - 7/1/XX- End of fall semester 
  • Spring - 1/1/XX- End of spring semester 
Q: What is the summer enrollment requirement for FWS/PHWS? 
A: Students must be enrolled in at least 6 credits in between the final day of the spring semester through 6/30/XX. 
Q: What is the summer enrollment requirement for Budget? 
A: Students must be enrolled in at least 1 credit in between the final day of the spring semester through 6/30/XX. 
Q: What is the pay rate for all student employees?
A: $14 per hour. 
Q: How many hours can a Student Employee work? 
A: Student Employees can work up to 20 hours per week 
Q: How many credits does a Student Employee need to be enrolled in? 
A: For FWS/ PHWS - A student must be enrolled at HACC in at least 6 credits ▪ For Budget - A student must be enrolled at HACC in at least 1 credit. 
Q: Who is eligible for FWS? 
A: Students must have a current year FAFSA on file ▪ All Financial Aid requirements must be satisfied ▪ Students must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) ▪ Enrolled in at least 6 credits at HACC while they are employed ▪ Students must have Financial Aid approval for FWS before working. 
Q: Who is eligible for PHWS? 
A: Students must have a current year FAFSA on file ▪ All Financial Aid requirements must be satisfied ▪ Students must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) ▪ Enrolled in at least 6 credits at HACC while they are employed ▪ Students must have Financial Aid approval for PHWS before working ▪ Students must be eligible for the PHEAA Grant. 
Q: What is the difference between FWS (Federal Work-Study), Student Employment Program, and PHWS (PHEAA Work-Study)? 
A: The difference between the three is the fund source that their pay will be coming from. The amount paid is not affected. 

Q: We have very strict rules for who we can hire. Who will perform drug screening and/or background checks?

A: HACC facilitates an extensive onboarding process, which includes criminal background checks and PA Act 15 (when applicable) prior to the student employee’s start date, but any drug screening needed for employment contingencies would need to be performed at the expense of the partner. PA Act 15 Clearances provided by HACC include the following:

  • Mandated Reporter Training (three-hour online course)

  • Child Abuse History Certification (DHS)

  • Federal Criminal History Background Check (FBI)

  • PA State Police (PSP) check

 

Q: Will HACC reimburse student employees for travel related expenses?

A: HACC will not reimburse for mileage.

 

Q: Will we be able to train new hires before they start working for us?

A: New hires can log training hours for compensation from HACC up to their maximum of 20 hours per week and in place of hours worked. This includes virtual training.

 

Q: We offer/require remote work for some job tasks/work days. Can student employees work remotely for us?

A: Students may work remotely for your company. We recommend you provide deliverable projects or monitoring to make sure they are utilizing their time effectively.

 

Q: When are students available to work? Can they work during the summer?

A: Students work semester to semester, including the summer session if and only if they register for 6 credits worth of summer classes. They will also need to register for fall classes to work from July on because HACC’s fall semester technically begins in July.

 

Q: Does HACC prohibit supplemental pay to raise student employees’ wage?

A: No. HACC does not prohibit supplemental pay; however, it is the employer’s responsibility to track the student employee’s hours and calculate the additional funds to supplement the $14.00 an hour for 20 hours maximum that HACC will pay to the student. They may not exceed 20 hours of work per week, no matter the circumstances.

 

Q: Our positions require highly trained, degree holding employees, or recent graduates. Can we fill these positions with student employees?

A: New and entry level positions would best suit students hired for Community Work-Study, and these positions must either serve the community directly, or involve making your company’s services accessible to the community. In order to work for our community work-study partners, student employees must be enrolled in classes at HACC during the semester in which they will work. Additionally, you may offer regular employment opportunities and post these on College Central Network for HACC students who have not been awarded Federal Work-Study, but want additional income. If you are interested in posting and recruiting for positions, please email careerservices@hacc.edu to connect with our employer partnership team.

 

Q: We also offer internships and/or have provided internship opportunities in the past. Can a student employee’s work hours count towards completion of an internship?

A: No. Hours worked for CWS partners may not count towards internship credit hours.

 

Q: What majors would be applying to work for our company?

A: All majors are welcome to apply to any job posted on CCN. Students may select jobs that align with their interests or career, but applications will not be restricted by major.