Student AffairsBased on financial need, Queen's Work Study program provides eligible students the opportunity to receive priority for certain part-time positions during a specified period of study.
- The Work Study entitlement value is not a monetary award, you will earn an hourly wage if you are hired for a Work Study employment position; an hourly wage is paid as employment income directly to you by your Work Study employer
- If at any time, you wish to request a cancellation of a Work Study entitlement you may email Financial Aid and Awards at financialaid@queensu.ca.
- Information for Potential Employers – Detailed information for employers wishing to post a Work Study job is available on the Career Services website
- As a Queen's student, you have lots of options for financial aid
Eligibility and Applying
- Eligibility is determined on the basis of demonstrated financial need for students in any year of study in any faculty or school at Queen's University
- Canadian citizens and permanent residents must be accessing government student assistance to be considered for Work Study
- Students will be expected to have qualified for a minimum amount of government student assistance before being considered for a Work Study entitlement
If you are a newly admitted student, or if you have not previously applied for or received a Work Study entitlement, you must apply (fall/winter or summer) for your initial approval into the Work Study Program.
Fall and Winter Term Eligibility Criteria
- Undergraduate degree programs: You must be registered in a full-time academic load for both the fall and winter term (9.0 credit units or higher per term) or 40% of a full course load (6.0 credit units per term) for students with disabilities
- Graduate degree/professional programs: You must be registered in a full-time academic load in both fall and winter terms
- Canadian/permanent residents and U.S. students: You must be receiving a minimum of $5,000 in government student assistance for the fall and winter terms
Summer Term Eligibility Criteria
- Undergraduate degree programs: You must be registered in a minimum of 9 credit units over any combination of summer sessions or 6.0 credit units for students with disabilities. Credits must be earned through Queen’s University, transfer credits and courses taken on a letter of permission are not eligible for consideration of Summer Work Study.
- Graduate degree/professional programs: You must be registered in a full-time academic load in summer term
- Canadian/permanent residents and U.S. students: You must be receiving a minimum of $2,000 in government student assistance for summer term
(Graduate students must be accessing a minimum of $5,000 in government student assistance for the current academic year)
Fall and Winter Term Eligibility Criteria
On an annual basis, students will be approved automatically for a Work Study entitlement for the current fall/winter academic year on the basis of:
- Receipt of Work Study entitlement in the prior academic year (e.g. 2020-21), and
- Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or U.S. student: Prior government assistance of $5,000 or higher received in the last academic year (e.g. 2023-24)
- International Students are not eligible to automatically renew, submit a new Work Study application at the beginning of each academic year.
- Students must be registered in a full-time academic load for both the fall and winter term (9.0 credit units or higher per term) or 40% of a full course load (6.0 credit units per term) for students with disabilities
- Students who reduce their academic course load below these thresholds will not remain eligible to retain their Work Study entitlement
Summer Term Eligibility Criteria
Undergraduate students are not eligible for automatic approval of a summer Work Study application, and must apply if they wish to be assessed
Graduate students previously enrolled in a full-time academic course load for fall and winter, enrolled in a full-time course load for summer term, and meet the following conditions:
- Graduate Canadian Citizens/Permanent Residents: Received government student aid for the current academic year greater than $2,000 and received a Work Study entitlement for fall and/or winter terms
- Graduate International: Received a Work Study entitlement in fall and/or winter term and/or received a Queen’s bursary for the current academic year
- Graduate students who meet these criteria will be emailed confirmation of their eligibility and entitlement for summer term Work Study early March)
Financial Aid and Awards will inform students of their Work Study entitlement via email from financialaid@queensu.ca.
Fall and Winter Term
By mid-July, if you are automatically approved for the current fall/winter Work Study entitlement you will receive an email communication and will be able to view your Work Study entitlement in the ‘View Financial Aid’ section in your SOLUS Student Centre.
Summer Term
Graduate students who were enrolled in the Work Study program in the previous fall/winter term will be automatically approved for a summer term work study entitlement. Students who have been approved will be notified in mid-March. You will receive an email communication and will be able to view your Work Study entitlement in the ‘View Financial Aid’ section in your SOLUS Student Centre.
Effect on Government and Queen’s Financial Aid
Earnings through the Work Study Program are considered taxable income and must be reported on your application for government financial aid (e.g. OSAP) and your Queen's General Bursary application.
If you submitted a government student aid application or a Queen's General Bursary application before you were awarded a Work Study entitlement, you can update your application by providing the information, in writing, Financial Aid and Awards, financialaid@queensu.ca.
Work Study Entitlement and Wages
- If you are hired for a Work Study employment position, an hourly wage is paid as employment income directly to you by your Work Study employer
- Wage is $17.20/hr including vacation pay, effective September 1, 2024
- The amount of Work Study money you’re entitled to is not transferable, if you do not use the full amount of your entitlement for the academic year, you will lose your entitlement. For example, if you have not used all of your entitlement in the fall/winter terms you cannot transfer the entitlement to summer term
Fall and Winter Term Entitlement
- Canadian citizens/permanent residents: $2,000 ($1,000 per term)
- International students: $3,000 ($1,500 per term)
Summer Term Entitlement
- Canadian citizens/permanent residents: $1,000
- International students: $1,500
You will receive biweekly, direct deposit for your pay. You will need to submit time sheets biweekly to your employer.
Additional Employment Resources
Other Employment Options
In addition to Work Study and SWEP, there are many opportunities for you to obtain part-time employment during the academic year. More information on employment opportunities is available on the Career Services website and the Alma Mater Society (AMS) website.