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About CWSP CWSP Current Job Postings For Students
Student Eligibility Finding a Job Interview Tips If You Receive a Job Offer Hiring Instructions End of Employment
For Community Partners
Employer Eligibility Requirements How to Hire a Student Job Descriptions
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opportunities for Students     /    Community Work Study Program
Community Work Study Program
Enabling Federal Work-Study students to work at community nonprofit organizations and schools.
Enabling Federal Work-Study students to work at community nonprofit organizations and schools.
This Opportunity At a Glance
Available to

Undergraduates eligible for Federal Work Study funding

Positions available

Academic year and summer term

The Community Work-Study Program, sponsored by the Einhorn Center, enables Cornell Federal Work-Study (FWS) students to work for nonprofit organizations, schools, and municipalities mainly in Ithaca and Tompkins County.

Opportunities exists in a variety of areas, including the arts, K-12 education, environmental programs, health services, legal services, programs for older people, public works and engineering, women’s organizations, and youth programs. The work must be designed to improve the quality of life for community residents, particularly low-income individuals, or to solve particular problems related to their needs. Learn more by reading What qualifies as Community Service?

Each year we place an average of 250 students in work-study positions in the local community during the academic year, and another 70 students in the summer. Jobs affiliated with Cornell departments or organizations may qualify for CWSP funding if the student’s work benefits local residents or US residents.

For questions and additional program information, reach out to cwsp@cornell.edu.

About CWSP

The Community Work-Study Program (CWSP), sponsored by the Einhorn Center, enables Cornell Federal Work-Study (FWS) students to work for nonprofit organizations, schools, and municipalities mainly in Ithaca and Tompkins County.

Our Funding: How It Works
Our Funding: How It Works

The US Department of Education allows students to use federal work study funds for off campus community service employment. Each fiscal year Federal Work Study regulations require that Cornell use at least 7% of its FWS allocation to employ students in community service eligible positions. At least 75% of CWSP student wages for community-service positions are covered by the federal government. This gives CWSP the opportunity for students to have unique work experiences that may not have been available without the funding allowance. The Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment determines student eligibility for Federal Work Study, and CWSP determines student and employer eligibility for CWSP funding.

What Qualifies as Community Service?
What Qualifies as Community Service?
  • A student does not have to provide a “direct” service.
  • Work done must benefit communities within the United States.
  • A university or college is not considered a community for the purposes of the FWS community-service requirements.
  • On-campus jobs can meet the definition of community services, provided the work is designed to improve the quality of life for off campus community residents, or to solve problems related to their needs.
  • Off-campus wages can be subsidized with 75-100% work study depending upon employer and position. Employers must pay the unsubsidized portion.
  • On-campus positions require that the department pay the remaining 25% from departmental funding once the position is determined to be a community work-study placement.
Tutoring: America Reads and America Counts
Tutoring: America Reads and America Counts

Interested in working with pre-kindergarten through 9th-grade students in area schools and agencies? Through the national America Reads Challenge and America Counts Challenge (ARC/C) programs, FWS will fund 100% of student wages for eligible positions tutoring children in reading and mathematics or coordinating such tutoring programs.

Share your education with someone in the community!

CWSP Current Job Postings
Spring Position Openings
Spring Position Openings

Swim Instructor
YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County

School Age Child Care Counselor
YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County

Welcome Center Representative
YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County

Lifeguard
YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County

Youth Sports Leader
YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County

Youth & Family Program Leader
YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County

ReUse Center Assistant
Finger Lakes ReUse – Elmira Rd.

ReUse Center Assistant
Finger Lakes ReUse – Triphammer Rd.

Waterfront Trail and Park Horticulturist
Friends of Stewart Park

Program Assistant
Ithaca Children’s Garden

Food Equity Marketing & Event Coordinator
Center for Transformative Action – Healthy Food For All

Visitor Services Assistant
Paleontological Research Institution – Museum of the Earth

Museum Education Assistant
Paleontological Research Institution

General Office & Special Projects
City of Ithaca

Administrative Assistant
Center for Transformative Action – Open Doors English

Theatrical Production Associate
Civic Ensemble

Production & Gallery Associate
The Cherry Arts

Book Room Co-Coordinator
Center for Transformative Action – Prisoner’s Express Program

Community Engagement Associate
Community Foundation of Tompkins County

Summer Position Openings
Summer Position Openings

Waterfront Trail and Park Horticulturist
Friends of Stewart Park

Ithaca Murals Program Assistant
Center for Transformative Action – Ithaca Murals

Technology Assistant
Human Services Coalition

Animal Care Assistant
Paleontological Research Institution – Cayuga Nature Center

Upward Bound Summer Youth Mentor
David M. Einhorn Center for Community Engagement – Upward Bound Program

Swim Instructor
YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County

Lifeguard
YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County

Youth Sports Leader
YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County

Youth & Family Program Leader
YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County

Records Clerk
City of Ithaca Fire Department

Youth Worker Assistant
The Learning Web

Program Assistant
Center for Transformative Action – Lyson Center

Editorial Assistant
Center for Transformative Action – Lyson Center

For Students

We appreciate your interest in the Community Work Study Program! Working public interest positions in local communities has proven to be a valuable experience to the students within our program. In addition to earning work study funds, the benefits to students could include opportunities to explore the innerworking of the nonprofit sector, getting to know and serve the community in which we live, a chance to provide support for those in need, gaining real world work experience and skills to carry into future careers, and an excuse to explore our local area outside of campus life. Whether you are a new student learning about our program, or a returning student looking for information, please see the resources listed to the left. For questions and additional program information, reach out to cwsp@cornell.edu.

CWSP New Employee Trainings
CWSP New Employee Trainings

There is a 30 minute orientation session required for students hired into the Community Work Study Program. Click on the date that fits your availability and make sure to complete the registration. These will be conducted via zoom and you only need to attend one session. If there is not a time that fits your schedule, please email your availability to the CWSP coordinator at cwsp@cornell.edu.

*no scheduled orientations at this time.

Student Eligibility
Finding a Job
Interview Tips
If You Receive a Job Offer
Hiring Instructions
End of Employment
For Community Partners

On behalf of the Einhorn Center and Cornell University, we appreciate your interest and/or continued participation in the Community Work-Study Program (CWSP). Our students look forward to the opportunity to work alongside you to improve the lives of community residents.

We look forward to working with you and thank you for your dedication and commitment to the students you employ!

Program Highlight

If you would like your agency highlighted or have a Cornell student employee who should be highlighted please email us at cwsp@cornell.edu.

Employer Eligibility Requirements
How to Hire a Student
Job Descriptions
Campus Partners

Cornell Unit/Department Eligibility Requirements

To participate in the Community Work-Study Program (CWSP), in which Federal Work Study (FWS) pays for 75% of a student’s wages and the department pays 25%, Cornell departments must submit a FWS Job Description that will then need to be reviewed. And before the student can be paid, CWSP will require access in WorkDay to the supervisor’s student JM Org.

How is “community service” defined?

  1. The student’s work must be designed to improve the quality of life for community residents, particularly low-income individuals, or to solve particular problems related to those residents’ needs. The student does not have to provide a “direct” service.
  2. A university or college is not considered a community for the purposes of the FWS community-service requirements. On-campus jobs can meet the definition of community services, provided the work is designed to improve the quality of life for off-campus community residents, or to solve problems related to their needs.
  3. Work done must benefit communities within the United States.
  4. Fields can be related to health, literacy training, education, welfare, social services, transportation, housing and neighborhood improvement, public safety, rural development, and community improvement.

Student Eligibility

The student must

  • have an I9 form on file, which proves eligibility to work in the United States,
  • be federal-work-study eligible (confirm in WorkDay), and
  • be registered as full-time with no university holds.

It is important to confirm that the student is federal work-study eligible.  The Financial Aid Office can award students what is known as “Employee Earnings Expectation” (EEE), but this is not the same as federal work study. An EEE will not subsidize wages.

For more information about student eligibility in FWS, read FWS Eligibility.

Job Descriptions
How to Hire a Student
Summer Work Study

Summer Federal Work Study (FWS) awards are separate from academic year awards. Unused academic-year awards will expire at the end of the academic term and will not carry into summer.

I’m a student and Want to Apply for Summer Work Study
I’m a student and Want to Apply for Summer Work Study

In order to qualify for summer Federal Work Study, you must meet the following criteria:

  • You have secured a paid position for summer 2023;
  • You have submitted a FAFSA application for the 2023-2024 academic year demonstrating federal financial need;
  • You intend to have pre-enrolled full time for Fall 2023;
  • You were registered full time for spring 2023; and
  • You are not enrolled in 6 or more Summer Session Course credits at the time of employment.
I’m a student and Want to Apply for Summer Work Study

In order to qualify for summer Federal Work Study, you must meet the following criteria:

  • You have secured a paid position for summer 2023;
  • You have submitted a FAFSA application for the 2023-2024 academic year demonstrating federal financial need;
  • You intend to have pre-enrolled full time for Fall 2023;
  • You were registered full time for spring 2023; and
  • You are not enrolled in 6 or more Summer Session Course credits at the time of employment.
To Apply for Summer Work Study Funding
To Apply for Summer Work Study Funding

Summer federal work study students must apply through the Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment via the Summer FWS Application. Visit Summer Session Financial Aid for more information.

To view summer jobs available visit our Community Work-Study job openings for Community Work Study positions or visit our Finding a Job page for more information.

To Apply for Summer Work Study Funding

Summer federal work study students must apply through the Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment via the Summer FWS Application. Visit Summer Session Financial Aid for more information.

To view summer jobs available visit our Community Work-Study job openings for Community Work Study positions or visit our Finding a Job page for more information.

How Do I Get Paid?
How Do I Get Paid?

Contact the Community Work Study Program Coordinator at cwsp@cornell.edu to complete any required pre-work and be added to the summer payroll so you can record time in WorkDay to be paid.

You will be notified via email when your hiring is complete, and you may begin working.

Important: You cannot start work until you have completed an I-9.

How Do I Get Paid?

Contact the Community Work Study Program Coordinator at cwsp@cornell.edu to complete any required pre-work and be added to the summer payroll so you can record time in WorkDay to be paid.

You will be notified via email when your hiring is complete, and you may begin working.

Important: You cannot start work until you have completed an I-9.

How many hours can a student employee work in the summer?
How many hours can a student employee work in the summer?

Students may work full-time over the summer. The Federal Work Study program does not allow students to receive holiday pay on federal holidays (see Important CWSP Program Dates).

Important: FWS students are not eligible for FWS on federal holidays, or for vacation or sick pay. If a student does work on a federal holiday, including remotely, they cannot be paid with work study; the employer would need to pay 100% of the student’s wages for that day.

How many hours can a student employee work in the summer?

Students may work full-time over the summer. The Federal Work Study program does not allow students to receive holiday pay on federal holidays (see Important CWSP Program Dates).

Important: FWS students are not eligible for FWS on federal holidays, or for vacation or sick pay. If a student does work on a federal holiday, including remotely, they cannot be paid with work study; the employer would need to pay 100% of the student’s wages for that day.

I’m an Employer/Supervisor who Wants to Hire a Student for the Summer.
I’m an Employer/Supervisor who Wants to Hire a Student for the Summer.

The student will need to be appointed for the summer work study term, review How to Hire a Student and Payroll Resources and Policies.

Watch for email notification from CWSP when the student is appointed or re-appointed to payroll, with the date they may begin work. Wages earned prior to the designated payroll start date will be billed 100% to the employer.

I’m an Employer/Supervisor who Wants to Hire a Student for the Summer.

The student will need to be appointed for the summer work study term, review How to Hire a Student and Payroll Resources and Policies.

Watch for email notification from CWSP when the student is appointed or re-appointed to payroll, with the date they may begin work. Wages earned prior to the designated payroll start date will be billed 100% to the employer.

Payroll Instructions and Policies

How to Record Hours

  • Check out these 2 short presentations on your WorkDay home page. Click on “Getting to Know WorkDay” and watch:
    • Navigation Basics for Employees
    • Enter and Submit Time
  • Ensure your hours are recorded on the exact day and time that work was performed.

Submitting and Approving Hours

  • Students must submit their WorkDay timesheets by noon every other Wednesday, with supervisors approving the timesheet by the end of that Wednesday. (If the student plans to work that Wednesday between noon and 11:59 p.m., the student may enter the hours, and the supervisor can change or approve them.) Note: Students need to click “submit” on their timesheets only once per pay period; if they click “submit” more often, their supervisors will receive unnecessary email alerts.
  • Once a supervisor approves a timesheet in WorkDay, they are certifying that the hours entered are correct and were worked. It is the agency’s responsibility to contact CWSP if the student does not record their hours or if the student is no longer working.
  • Students cannot add hours from a previous pay period to a current pay period.
  • If a student forgets to enter hours worked into a previous pay period, they may submit ‘retro hours’ by going back and entering the time blocks into the corresponding pay period. These hours must be submitted immediately and must be approved by the supervisor in WorkDay. The student will be able to access past pay periods until payroll processing is complete (usually the Monday or Tuesday following the end of the pay period).
  • FWS regulations forbid students from recording work hours when they are registered to be in class or lab.

Overtime

  • Although there is no prohibition on paying overtime in the FWS program, FWS is designed to provide part-time employment, and students should not often work in excess of 40 hours in a single week.
  • FWS student employees are paid overtime at a rate of one and a half times the regular rate of pay for work in excess of 40 hours in a standard work week. The standard work week begins Thursday at midnight and ends the following Wednesday at 11:59 p.m.
  • If your student employee works overtime, your agency will be billed for those overtime hours at the usual 10-25%, but the overtime rate of time-and-a-half will increase the billing.
  • Many students have more than one appointment to the Cornell payroll, and combined hours from other departments can add up quickly. Be sure to ask any student you hire about any additional work study jobs they may have through Cornell that may be pulling from their FWS award. Overtime is always billed to the off campus employer.

Meal Periods

The following guidelines exist for student employee meal periods. Under New York State law the department must provide and the student employee must take a meal period as outlined under these guidelines:

  • Lunch Periods – Students are allowed at least 30 minutes for the noonday meal. The noonday meal period is recognized as extending from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. An employee who works a shift of more than six hours which extends over the noonday meal period is entitled to at least 30 minutes off within that period for the meal.
  • Other Meal Periods – Students employed for a period or shift starting before 11:00 a.m. and continuing later than 7:00 p.m. shall be allowed an additional meal period of at least 20 minutes between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

If a particular work schedule is not covered in the above examples, then whenever a student works a shift of more than six hours, a minimum 30 minute meal period must be taken approximately mid-way between that start and end of that shift.

Direct Deposit

We encourage students to sign up for direct deposit to ensure timely delivery of paychecks. If students do not sign up for direct deposit, their paycheck will be mailed to their local address on file for them in Student Essentials.

W4 Tax Withholding – Taxes will be taken out

Student income is subject to tax withholding. You are responsible for completing required federal or state tax withholding forms through WorkDay. For instructions, read the PDF, How to Update Your Federal and State Withholding Allowances. If you need further information, read Tax Withholdings and Forms or contact the Payroll Office at 607-255-5194 or uco-payroll@cornell.edu.

Payroll Schedule

Student employees are paid biweekly. To view pay periods, visit Pay Calendars and scroll down to Nonexempt Biweekly Calendar.

How many hours may I work?

During the academic year employment term, Cornell strongly suggest that you work no more than 15-20 hours per week. You may work full time over breaks and the summer. Your supervisor must approve your request to work during a school break.

Viewing a Paycheck Online

In WorkDay, click “Pay,” under “View,” click “Pay Slips”

Access to the W2

In WorkDay, click “Pay, under my documents, select “Tax Documents,” in the Lin “Tax Year” select “View/Print”

For additional resources, please refer to Cornell University Payroll.

Program Resources & Policies for Students & Employers

Remote Work

Any remote working positions must have a completed Remote Work Arrangement form submitted to the CWSP.

What to consider for remote work:

  • Start and end dates for remote work.
  • Best contact number for students and supervisors during anticipated work hours.
  • Number of hours planned per week.
  • What form and frequency of interaction will occur between the supervisor and the student employee.
  • What work is to be completed.
  • How will the productivity and quality of work be measured.

How many hours may a student work?

During the academic-year employment term, Cornell strongly suggests that students work no more than 15–20 hours per week. Students may work full-time over breaks, and over the summer if they are not taking classes. A student must secure her supervisor’s approval to work during a school break.

University Breaks

Students are allowed to work full-time, as long as they are not taking classes during fall, winter and spring breaks, however, many students may choose to go out of town.

If there are many hours worked over break, it could quickly deplete FWS funds.

Winter break will require an eligibility check before work is authorized.

Mental Health Awareness

Contact us when:

  • You and/or others are concerned about a student
  • Significant change in job performance
  • Sudden failure of communication
  • Academic, behavioral, physical, emotional, or other factors seem to be causing a student significant stress

For emergencies, call 911. For other immediate concerns, call Cornell Health’s Counseling and Psychological Services at 607-255-5155 to speak to a 24 hours on-call health care provider. Contact the CWSP Coordinator with non-urgent communication or performance concerns.

Reunion

If a student wants to work for Cornell Reunion, which is in June, they are not allowed to work at their FWS job during that week.

Holiday, vacation and sick pay

FWS does not allow fringe benefits, including holiday and vacation pay. Students may work on holidays, however, the wages will be paid as if it were a normal day.

New York State Paid Sick Leave

Student appointments are covered under New York State paid sick leave policy and will accrue 1 hour for every 30 hours worked. The maximum usage is up to 56 hours or 7 days of paid sick leave each calendar year, and only paid sick leave accrued may be used. Full details of the policy are available within the Sick Leave section of University Policy 6.9.

Jury Duty

If a student serves on a jury, FWS will not pay for any portion of the student’s wage or jury fee. The off-campus employer is the employer of record, and the jury fee is paid by New York State or by the employer, depending on the day of service and size of employer. To learn more about jury-duty regulations, read Jury Information for Employers or contact the CWSP Coordinator.

Workers’ Compensation and Liability

As stipulated in the Work Study Agreement (contract), a FWS student’s off-campus employer is the employer of record and responsible for filing any workers’ compensation and liability claims.

Email lists

Supervisors and students will be added to CWSP email lists during their participation with CWSP.  These e-lists are used to communicate important payroll and employment information, as well as awards and funding that may be of interest to employers or students.

Employer Sponsored Net ID notifications

If an employer receives a notification from idmgmt@cornell.edu that says my Cornell sponsored Net ID will expire soon, forward this message to CWSP immediately so they can renew your Net ID so you can maintain your access to approve timecards in WorkDay. You need to be an active/eligible supervisor to maintain your Net ID. Net IDs can only be renewed for a year period.

Student Employee Terminations

A student may choose to resign from their FWS position. We request that student’s provide adequate notice (2 weeks) and must notify the CWSP of intentions. Ensure student’s time is submitted in WorkDay by the last day of work.

Off-campus employers/supervisors have the right to dismiss a student for unsatisfactory job performance. This may include, but is not limited to:

  • Repeated failure to comply with the agreed work schedule;
  • Unwillingness to accomplish assigned tasks;
  • Insubordination or lack of cooperation which results in disturbing the workers or work progress;
  • Illicit behavior, such as falsifying timecards, stealing, or misuse of computers, phones, or other equipment, etc.

A student may also be dismissed due to changes in the employer’s available funding and/or because you have run out of federal work study eligibility. The employer will follow their agency policies in regards to terminations.

Evaluations

Employers in the Community Work-Study Program are required to complete an evaluation form for each student they employ. Student employees are also required to complete an evaluation of their work-study job, expectations, and experiences. Both are confidential.

Evaluation forms are emailed to the supervisor of record at the end of each employment term (academic year and/or summer) or upon end of employment.

CWSP uses these forms to assess how its students are assisting community agencies and the opportunities being offered to students, as well as to assess and monitor off-campus positions.

Important CWSP Program Dates

Cornell Pay Calendar

To view the Cornell Pay Calendar for student employees, go to Pay Calendars and scroll down to the current year’s “nonexempt biweekly calendar.”

CWSP Calendar for Students and Supervisors

April 1st Spring break begins
April 10th Instruction resumes
May 9th Last day of classes
May 13th-20th  Scheduled exams
May 20th Last day graduating students can work
May 26th-28th University Commencement Weekend
May 31st Last day of academic year FWS
June 1st First day of summer FWS
August 9th Last day of summer FWS
August 10th First day of academic year FWS for continuing students
August 21st First day incoming new students can work

 

*Although students should work no more than 15-20 hours per week when classes are in session, on breaks and over the summer they may work full-time. Employers should note, however, that students often go away for breaks.

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