Work-Study Program for students
For undergraduate and graduate students
Are you a student with financial need looking for the opportunity to participate in research-based projects on campus? If so, we encourage you to consider SFU’s Work-Study Program.
The Work-Study Program is an excellent opportunity to earn a supplemental income while gaining valuable experience connecting with various members of the SFU community. Recognizing that a student’s first commitment is to his/her studies, Work-Study hours are flexible, on-campus and supervised.
Work-Study positions are available during the Fall, Spring and Summer terms, beginning with the first day of classes and ending at the end of the Final Exam period for each term. The value of your Work-Study placement will vary depending on your assessed financial need. Successful applicants will be awarded Work-Study hours for a term.
- Search for work-study positions
(authorized students only)
Eligibility requirements
To qualify and maintain eligibility for a Work-Study placement you must:
be enrolled in at least nine units of normal graded courses in undergraduate studies or be enrolled as a full-time graduate student
have a minimum 2.00 CGPA (undergraduate studies) or minimum 3.00 CGPA (graduate studies)
have a demonstrated financial need above and beyond your primary or required funding.
If you are a new student enrolled in your first term at SFU, you are eligible to apply.
How to apply
To apply for the Work-Study Program, you must apply online through the Student Information System during the application period (see students.sfu.ca/deadlines). Work-Study applications are open three times a year.
Applications not submitted during the Work-Study application period will not be accepted for the upcoming term.
To apply, access the online work-study/bursary application during the application period:
- log on to the Student Information System
- click on Student Center
- click on Apply for Work-Study
What if I am eligible?
Approximately three weeks before the start of the upcoming term, an email will be sent to your SFU email account informing you of your eligibility to participate in the Work-Study Program.
If you are eligible, your email will contain a notification package informing you of your Work-Study award and how to apply for a Work-Study position. This package will also include the access code to view all the Work-Study positions available for the term.
Please note: the Work-Study notification package you receive will only confirm your eligibility to participate in the program and does not guarantee you will secure a Work-Study placement.
How do I find a Work-Study position?
All Work-Study positions available for the term are posted on our Work-Study Job Search System at https://at.its.sfu.ca/workstudysearch/login.aspx . To view these postings, you will need to enter the access code included in your notification email.
If you are interested in a position, contact the Project Supervisor for an interview. We recommend you bring your resume, references, a copy of your class schedule and your Work-Study Placement form (which was included in your Work-Study notification package).
Each term, eligible students are able to participate in one Work-Study project. If you are offered more than one position, make a timely decision and inform the Project Supervisor(s).
Once you are offered and have accepted a position, discuss a mutually acceptable work schedule with your Project Supervisor. Once you have carefully read the declaration section of the Work-Study Placement form, complete and sign the form and submit it to your Project Supervisor.
Please note: if you attain a Work-Study placement, the placement is only valid for the term indicated on your Award letter. In other words, you CANNOT defer this placement to another term. As well, you must maintain the eligibility requirements (ie, you must be enrolled full-time and have the required CGPA) for the duration of the placement or the remainder of the Work-Study placement will be forfeited.
What is the pay?
The hourly rate of pay is $10.25 per hour plus standard benefits.
How do I get paid?
Your Project Supervisor will have you complete a SFU Personal Data Form, a Federal Tax Credit Form (TD1) and a BC tax Credit Form (TD1BC). These forms are required by SFU’s Payroll department to enter you into the payroll system.
Once you have been entered by Payroll, you are paid biweekly for the actual number of hours you complete. You must report your hours to your Project Supervisor (or designate) who will convey the information to Payroll. If you do not complete the full number of Work-Study hours you have been awarded, you will not receive the full amount of your award.
International students
If you are an international student, you will need a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN) to be eligible for your Work-Study placement.
Once you have officially secured a Work-Study placement, please meet with a Financial Aid Advisor to obtain your Contract of Employment form if you require a SIN.
For information on applying for a SIN, download:
students.sfu.ca/internationalstudentservices/pdf/advising_handouts/sin.pdf