NEW ORLEANS (Nov. 30, 2018) – Dillard University students often complain about the scarcity of work-study jobs on campus without realizing the role each student must play to seek and get one of the 240 slots available each year.

Those actions include filling out your FAFSA early, requesting work-study on the FAFSA, and meeting the criteria of having a remaining balance to pay, according to Denise Spellman, director of financial aid and scholarships.

Kyndra Tillman, a sophomore public health major at Dillard University, is in the work-study program here for the second year.

 “I got my work-study by requesting it on my FAFSA application,” said Tillman. “I kept my work-study by requesting it again on my FAFSA application. And I called Ms. [Hortense] Lockett (student employment coordinator) over the summer to make sure my spot was secured.”

Priority is given for work-study applicants who have a remaining balance. If you are selected, you may work a maximum of 20 hours per week at a rate of $8.50 per hour.

Lockett said 240 slots are available for work-study each year, and they are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Spellman said 63 of the slots, about one-fourth, typically are filled by new students.

Spellman said many students who get work-study don’t continue with it because funds aren’t always guaranteed, the supervisor has to recertify the student and each student has to file his or her FAFSA early. Spellman said seniors usually cancel their work-study because senior year is very busy, often with internships required.

(De’Jah Linson contributed to this report.)