Frequently Asked Questions

Student employment offers part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in UTD courses. These positions are designed to be flexible around class schedules, providing students the opportunity to earn money and gain valuable work experience while studying. Working on campus or with approved off-campus partners allows students to develop professional skills in a supportive environment.

The Student Employment team and the University Career Center are dedicated to helping students find meaningful work opportunities during their academic journey. We provide resources and guidance to navigate job postings, polish your resume, apply for positions, prepare for interviews, and succeed in your role. Our goal is to enhance your educational experience and prepare you for your future career.

Student employment positions are posted on Handshake.

If you are an incoming student, a Handshake account will be created for you after you have enrolled in UTD courses and a few weeks before your first semester begins. Please do not create a Handshake account on your own.  

Student employees must be paid at least the state minimum wage, which is currently $7.25 per hour. The average pay rate for UT Dallas student employees is about $13 per hour.  

Student workers are paid twice a month, typically on the 1st and 15th of the month. 

No. When assigning work hours, your employer will consider your class schedule and your academic standing when scheduling work hours. Students may work no more than 20 hours per work week (Sunday – Saturday).

Employers will work with you to determine the work schedule, based upon your availability. Students may not work during times that they are scheduled to be in class.

Earnings from an hourly student employee position are subject to applicable state and federal taxes, but not all students will fall under the same designations for tax collection. Some students may qualify for certain exemptions or FICA, but the Student Employment team is not able to provide individual tax filing advice. Students may submit tax-specific questions to the Office of Tax Compliance (taxcompliance@utdallas.edu).

Additionally, the International Center (ISSO) provides more specific information and resources for international students who have earned U.S. sourced income and need to file a tax return with the IRS.

There are many on-campus jobs available for international students! Student employment positions are posted in Handshake. 

For general on campus student employment questions, please contact the Student Employment team at studentemployment@utdallas.edu. 

Federal Work-Study (FWS) gives students an opportunity to work for on-campus or off-campus employers who have signed partnership agreements with UT Dallas. This program allows students to earn money, explore potential career fields, and gain skills while earning their degree. 

Students who are U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens should complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. If they have a demonstrated financial need, which is the difference between the cost of attendance (COA) at UT Dallas and the Student Aid Index (SAI) as determined by the FAFSA, they may be eligible for FWS funding.  Specific eligibility requirements can be found here: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/eligibility/requirements.  

If you meet FWS eligibility requirements, the Office of Financial Aid will include a FWS award in your financial aid package. To start using FWS funds, you must accept your award in Galaxy. If you have a question regarding your eligibility, please contact The Office of Financial Aid at financial-aid@utdallas.edu. 

You’ll earn at least the current federal minimum wage. However, you may earn more depending on the type of work you do, and the skills required for the position.  

Your total work-study award depends on when you apply, your level of financial need, and the university’s funding level. 

All FWS jobs, on-campus and off-campus, are posted in Handshake. These jobs may be for positions at UT Dallas; another federal, state, or local public agency; a private nonprofit organization; or a private for-profit organization.  

If you are an incoming student, a Handshake account will be created for you after you have enrolled in UTD courses and a few weeks before your first semester begins. Please do not create a Handshake account on your own.  

The dollars earned in a work-study job will not be counted as income for your financial aid eligibility determination in the next year. Also, since wages are partially subsidized by the federal government, it gives employers incentive for them to post and hire through work-study.  

Working on-campus provides convenience and flexibility for busy students as they pursue their education. You’ll also have access to exclusive FWS-only positions in Handshake. 

No, your Federal Work-Study award is an amount you can earn by working a FWS job; it is not a grant, scholarship, or tuition credit. Federal Work-Study is an employment program – like other part-time student jobs, you will earn a paycheck every two weeks and may choose how best to spend your money. 

Yes. When assigning work hours, your employer will consider your class schedule and your academic standing when scheduling work hours. Federal Work-Study students may work no more than 20 hours per work week (Sunday – Saturday).

Employers will work with you to determine the work schedule, based upon your availability. Students may not work during times that they are scheduled to be in class. Additionally, the amount you earn can’t exceed your total Federal Work-Study award. 

You can contact the Office of Financial Aid to request a work-study award increase. If you have earned the entire award before the end date of your work assignment, the work-study job must end.

If you work on-campus, your department may continue to employ you as a part-time on-campus student employee. This is at the discretion of the employer.

If you do not end up working on campus through Student Employment team and do not use your FWS award, your funds will simply fall off at the end of the fiscal year at no cost to you. When you apply for FAFSA the following year, the Office of Financial Aid will re-calculate your FWS eligibility at that time. 

While Federal Work-Study jobs are only available to eligible students as determined by the U.S. Department of Education, there are also many on-campus jobs available for international students. Student employment positions are posted in Handshake. 

For work-study specific questions, please contact workstudy@utdallas.edu.

For general on campus student employment questions, please contact the Student Employment Team at studentemployment@utdallas.edu.