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Work study not used to potential

By Suzanne Whitaker

On October 21, 2009

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According to several Norwich University students, not everyone who is eligible for work-study takes advantage of this moneymaking opportunity.

"I know of a few friends that are eligible for work study but they don't make the effort to go find a job," said Jill Balasco, a 19-year-old sophomore criminal justice major from Barrington, R.I. "I just think that people don't really look for them."

Joan Olivero, a 20-year-old junior architecture major from Providence, R.I., put off finding a work-study job since first semester last year. He said he "was lazy" and missed out on "300-something dollars a semester."

"I put off finding it," Olivero said. This semester Olivero spoke to residence life and now is manager of the fitness center in South Hall.

Many students find work-study to be helpful in paying tuition or for spending money.

"I can make payments on my loans or have cash to spend," said Meghan Kennedy, a 19-year-old sophomore political science major from Lowell, Mass.

"Students can earn it to help with costs. It does not count as income on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) when you file the next year. It is tax exempt," said Pamela Goodwin, from the financial aid department at Norwich.

Ally Manousos, an 18-year-old sophomore political science major from Lowell, Mass., said that her work-study job helps "pay for tuition."

Manousos did not put off finding a work-study job. "I found my job from the freshman day of service," Manousos said. The freshman day of service was during freshmen orientation last year. Manousos has been working for the Senate for Civic Engagement, the volunteer office, since her first semester at Norwich.

Despite the hiring of a new coach, Kennedy still has the same job. "I work in the soccer coach's office and run errands for her and staple papers."

"I've never had a problem [finding a job] and I've never heard of anyone not being able to find one, so I don't think there's a shortage," Kennedy said.

"You can find them anywhere, whether it be with a coach or anyone," Olivero said.

"I think a lot of students get work study but not a lot of people use it because they don't find jobs. And they don't look for jobs," Manousos said. "There are jobs everywhere".

There are numerous available work-study positions on the Norwich Web site, and it is easy to find out if you are eligible to get one, according to Kennedy. "When you get your financial aid package at the end of each semester, it says right on there that you are eligible for work study, and how much you're eligible for."

"A student has to have financial aid as determined by FAFSA," Goodwin said. Even if you are not eligible for work-study, you can still find a job, Goodwin said.

Goodwin's advice for students who are looking for work-study is to check with supervisors in the different departments at Norwich University as well as the Internet.