Work-Study Programs

Work-study gives you the chance to earn money for your education while building valuable job skills.

Occidental offers two need-based work-study programs that provide students with the opportunity to work on campus and gain professional experience. While jobs are not automatically assigned, students are encouraged to begin their search for on-campus employment early.

Occidental Work Award

Funded by Occidental College, this program is available to students who demonstrate financial need, including international students. Recipients are responsible for securing their own on-campus jobs. On-campus jobs are not guaranteed, therefore we recommend you start seeking employment early.

Federal Work-Study

Partially funded by the federal government, this program is open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents with financial need. Like the Occidental Work Award, students must independently seek out on-campus positions.

Finding an On-Campus Job

Finding a campus job at Occidental starts with checking the listings. Human Resources posts open positions online and on the bulletin board in the AGC Administrative Center. These listings change frequently, so it’s smart to check often and apply early.

When you find a job that interests you, submit an application directly to the hiring department—some may ask for extra materials. Students can hold more than one job at a time, as long as the combined hours don’t exceed the 10-hour weekly maximum.

If you’re new to on-campus employment, you’ll also need to complete an I-9 form and a W-4 tax form before you can begin. Human Resources must review and approve your paperwork before you start working, so don’t clock in until you’ve received confirmation.

Getting Paid

Once you’re hired, it’s your responsibility to track and submit your hours. Most students use the timekeeping system in the myOxy portal, where you’ll enter your hours daily and route them for supervisor approval. A few departments, like Campus Dining or Facilities, use their own process—your supervisor will explain if that applies to you.

Paychecks are issued every other week. If you enroll in direct deposit, funds go straight to your bank account and you can view payroll details in your portal. Otherwise, paper checks are delivered to your on-campus P.O. Box.

International students have an extra step: you’ll need to complete the I-9 form and submit proof of your Social Security application within your first two weeks of employment. For more information, please visit the International Programs Office website.

Things to Know About On-Campus Employment

Your work award is set for the academic year, so you’ll want to pace your earnings across both semesters. For example, if your award is $4,300, that’s the maximum you can earn in on-campus jobs combined. Once you hit that amount, you’ll need to stop working.

Students can work up to 10 hours per week across all jobs during the academic year. If you’re juggling multiple positions, coordinate with your supervisors to stay within both your earnings and hour limits.

A few additional points to keep in mind:

Study abroad: Your award is adjusted if you spend a semester away.

Responsibilities: Being punctual, communicating schedule changes early, and treating your job professionally are expected.

Balance: Work should never come at the expense of your coursework—classes always come first.