What’s the difference between Federal Work-Study and a Barnard College Job Award?
Federal Work-Study (FWS) is funding awarded by the federal government for students to have a job. With FWS, you can work at Barnard, Columbia, or at a variety of off-campus non-profits.
Barnard College Job Award (BCJ) are funds awarded by Barnard College. BCJ can only be used for jobs at Barnard, not Columbia or off-campus. If you have a BCJ, you can still work at Columbia as a “casual worker”, meaning that your pay isn’t coming from your work-study award, or at an off-campus job.
Is there a cap for my work-study award? What happens when I reach the cap?
Barnard College Job Award (BCJ) are funds awarded by Barnard College. BCJ can only be used for jobs at Barnard, not Columbia or off-campus. If you have a BCJ, you can still work at Columbia as a “casual worker”, meaning that your pay isn’t coming from your work-study award, or at an off-campus job.
Is there a cap for my work-study award? What happens when I reach the cap?
Each FWS student receives a fixed amount for the academic year. You have a couple of options if you reach the limit. You can receive an increase in your FWS award from Financial Aid to continue working, switch to Barnard funding instead of FWS funding for your position to continue working, or stop working in your FWS position. Beyond Barnard will work with you to add more funds if you run low.
Beyond Barnard will help connect you with Financial Aid if your FWS funds get low, but they cannot guarantee an increase in your award since increases are determined solely by Financial Aid.
Switching from FWS to Barnard funding is pretty seamless if you have an on-campus position, as long as the department you work for is ok with taking on the full cost of your position.
You have to end your off-campus FWS position if you don't get an increase in your FWS funds since it's not possible to switch these roles to Barnard funding.
How soon can first years apply for a job on campus?
You can apply for jobs now if you want, but don't stress too much about finding a job right now. It is ok to wait until the start of the school year. On-campus jobs are open for application on Workday. There aren’t a ton of jobs up yet, but many will be added in the next few weeks and into the start of the school year.
You can apply for jobs now if you want, but don't stress too much about finding a job right now. It is ok to wait until the start of the school year. On-campus jobs are open for application on Workday. There aren’t a ton of jobs up yet, but many will be added in the next few weeks and into the start of the school year.
What are the options for work for international students?
If you’re looking for a job on campus at Barnard or Columbia, international students can work fairly easily. International Student Services will help you get a social security number and fill out paperwork.
If you’re looking for a job on campus at Barnard or Columbia, international students can work fairly easily. International Student Services will help you get a social security number and fill out paperwork.
To work off-campus as an international student, that is a bit more complicated but doable! If you’re interested in working off-campus you should contact the International Student Services Office to learn more.
What kinds of on-campus jobs can we get?
You can get a job as an office assistant, a communications assistant, graphic designer, researcher, a desk clerk and more. There’s a ton of opportunities from different offices and departments on campus.
How are your working hours decided?
Decided between you and your supervisor - most on-campus jobs are between 2-10 hours a week depending on what you’re doing. Many supervisors do their best to work around your schedule.
Decided between you and your supervisor - most on-campus jobs are between 2-10 hours a week depending on what you’re doing. Many supervisors do their best to work around your schedule.
How do you get funding for unpaid internships?
You can apply for a grant at Beyond Barnard! Funding is available for internships during the summer and the school year. Keep an eye out for emails and announcements about this at the beginning of the semester.
You can apply for a grant at Beyond Barnard! Funding is available for internships during the summer and the school year. Keep an eye out for emails and announcements about this at the beginning of the semester.
If I didn't get a work-study award, would it be harder for me to get an on-campus job?
Not really. Everyone applies to jobs at the same time and in the same way, regardless of financial aid package or not.
Not really. Everyone applies to jobs at the same time and in the same way, regardless of financial aid package or not.
Do we have some preference when picking jobs or are we matched?
What job you have is completely up to you! Beyond Barnard does not match you for jobs, you apply for them.
Do tour guides count towards a BCJ?
Yes, tour guides, or BSARs are they’re called here, can count towards a job award. Please note that applications for BSARs won’t open until late fall and you wouldn’t be hired and start working as a BSAR until Spring.
Yes, tour guides, or BSARs are they’re called here, can count towards a job award. Please note that applications for BSARs won’t open until late fall and you wouldn’t be hired and start working as a BSAR until Spring.
Can Barnard College Job awards be used at Columbia?
No, but you can still apply for Columbia jobs. If hired, you wouldn’t be paid out of your BCJ funds.
No, but you can still apply for Columbia jobs. If hired, you wouldn’t be paid out of your BCJ funds.
Is it okay if I don't end up getting a work-study job even though I accepted it in financial aid?
Yes! Work-study is an opportunity to make money, it is not an obligation. If you don’t use a job award you are not penalized and that money is not taken away from your financial aid.
Yes! Work-study is an opportunity to make money, it is not an obligation. If you don’t use a job award you are not penalized and that money is not taken away from your financial aid.
Does Barnard Bartending/Barnard Babysitting count as a work-study job?
Nope! You can do a BCJ/FWS job and still do Barnard Babysitting/Bartending with no impact on your work-study award.
Nope! You can do a BCJ/FWS job and still do Barnard Babysitting/Bartending with no impact on your work-study award.
How can I get involved with Barnard Babysitting and/or Barnard Bartending?
Babysitting opportunities can be found on Handshake. A training is required to be completed for Barnard Bartending, and only after you complete the training, you'll be able to start looking for jobs. Keep in mind that there is a fee for bartending training. There should be info sessions about this after the semester begins.
How do you get paid for an on-campus job? If I have work-study, does it automatically go to my tuition?
Barnard has a minimum wage of $15 an hour for a job and pays students bi-weekly (every other week). When a paycheck is used it will be delivered to your mailbox on campus or you can set up a direct deposit so the check goes straight to your bank account. If you have a work-study award, you’ll be paid the same way, it does not automatically go to your tuition bill. It’s up to you how you spend your paycheck from a work-study job - you can use that money towards your tuition bill or you can keep it as spending money.
If you're planning on working ANY job during the semester, either off-campus or on-campus, you'll need ID documents to fill out employment forms and tax documents. You'll need either a passport/permanent resident card or a combination of a social security card, driver's license/state ID card, or other documents. You will not be able to start working until you provide documentation and forms are submitted. For a full list of accepted documents, click here.
Barnard has a minimum wage of $15 an hour for a job and pays students bi-weekly (every other week). When a paycheck is used it will be delivered to your mailbox on campus or you can set up a direct deposit so the check goes straight to your bank account. If you have a work-study award, you’ll be paid the same way, it does not automatically go to your tuition bill. It’s up to you how you spend your paycheck from a work-study job - you can use that money towards your tuition bill or you can keep it as spending money.
If you're planning on working ANY job during the semester, either off-campus or on-campus, you'll need ID documents to fill out employment forms and tax documents. You'll need either a passport/permanent resident card or a combination of a social security card, driver's license/state ID card, or other documents. You will not be able to start working until you provide documentation and forms are submitted. For a full list of accepted documents, click here.
