Work Study FAQ
Q. How is the 2013 Summer Work Study program different than the program in previous years?
A. In the Spring 2012 Budget, the Government of Ontario announced that it would be eliminating funding of the Work Study program starting in Fall 2012. The loss of provincial funding creates an opportunity for the U of T to ensure that Work Study positions are more in line with our objectives for experiential learning opportunities for more of our students.
2013 Summer Work Study Program
- Students do NOT have to be OSAP eligible
- Positions are open to all undergraduates (i.e., domestic and international students, students studying on a part-time basis - at least 1.0 credits during the months of May to August) AND graduate students*
- Employers cover 20% of student wages, the remainder will be funded centrally
- PERA funds can be used to cover the employer's 20% contribution
Q. How is a Work Study employer's eligibility determined?
A. An employer must be a member of the U of T faculty or staff. Note: PhD Candidates, post-doctoral fellows and casual staff members cannot hire Work Study students.
Work Study employers must be on-campus for the duration of the program; employers who take a leave or change their position during the program period must contact Enrolment Services to inform them of the change in circumstances.
Q. What are the responsibilities of a Work Study employer?
A. Work Study employers must:
- Provide appropriate training and supervision to hired students;
- Ensure students understand their duties, hours of work and job performance expectations;
- Introduce the payroll officer and the alternate contact to the students;
- Ensure students are paid promptly every month for hours worked through the hiring department's payroll officer; and,
- Ensure students do not work more than a maximum of 12 hours per week and no more than 90 total hours for the summer session.
Q. If I listed a Work Study opportunity last year, do I need to reapply this year?
A. Yes, returning employers must resubmit their Work Study proposal each year and for each program.
Q. What information do I need to include in my Work Study proposal?
A. You must include an alternate contact who is also a U of T faculty or staff member (post-doctoral fellows, PhD candidates and casual staff members are NOT eligible); the contact information of your business officer and payroll officer; funding information; a job title; the number of vacancies (cannot exceed 2); a complete position description and a method of application.
Q. How detailed does my position description have to be?
A. You must include job duties and job performance expectations in your position description. It is highly advisable to outline for the students the experience they will gain, the expectations for their availability and what you are seeking in a candidate. Keep in mind that these opportunities must supplement the student's current field of study with relevant experience and/or provide duties (non-clerical in nature) that are useful for exploring future academic programs or career areas.
Q. What is the deadline to submit Work Study proposals?
A. You must submit your proposals on or before Thursday, March 28.
Q. When will I receive notification that my Work Study proposal has been approved?
A. Approval e-mails will be sent from Enrolment Services in late April for the Summer Work Study Program.
Q. My position has been approved, is there a guarantee that my position will be filled by a Work Study student?
A. No. Students apply to positions that interest them.
Q. How do students view and apply to Work Study positions?
A. In order to view and apply to Work Study positions, students must login to their Career Centre accounts at www.careers.utoronto.ca and select 'Job Search' from the left-hand menu. From there they can select 'Work Study' and they will be able to browse through all available Work Study opportunities. Students apply to positions of interest through the method of application indicated within the job posting.
Q. Can students from all campuses view and apply to Work Study positions?
A. Yes
Q. I have not received many applications for my Work Study position, what can I do to increase the number of applicants?
A. Once your position has been approved by Enrolment Services, you are welcome to advertise your Work Study positions outside of the Career Centre website. You can post details on your department's website, send an e-mail out through a departmental listserv, make class announcements, post details within your office, etc.
Q. How will I know if a student is eligible for the Work Study program?
A. To accept a Work Study position, a student must be registered in at least 40% of a full course load as an Undergraduate (1.0 credit continuously from May to August during the summer session) or a Graduate student at U of T. No course load averaging is permitted. Potential candidates do NOT have to be OSAP eligible.
Q. Can a Work Study student accept more than one position?
A. No. Eligible Work Study students can only accept one Work Study position per program.
Q. How many students may I hire?
A. When you submit your Work Study Proposal, you can request up to 2 vacancies per proposal. You may hire the number of students you initially request in your proposal.
Q. When can I start hiring? What is the deadline to hire a Work Study student?
A. You can start hiring as of Monday, May 6, 2013. The hiring deadline is Friday, May 31, 2013.
Q. What is the start and end dates of the 2013 Summer Program?
A. The Summer program runs from Monday, May 6, 2013 to Friday, August 2, 2013.
Q. How much of the eligible student's salary is covered through the Work Study Program?
A. The employer's contribution to the Work Study total salary costs will be 20%. The remaining 80% will be funded centrally. However, if a student works over the number of maximum allotted hours, the department and/or the student must repay the Work Study program for all excess hours.
Q. Am I able to top-up an eligible student's Work Study salary so they earn more than $10.25 per hour?
A. Yes. If your department chooses to pay the eligible Work Study student a 'top-up' in addition to the hourly rate of $10.25, the 'top-up' amount must be entered on Additional Payments using wage type:
0222 - T4 Flat Amt - No Dues Gen 4% Vac;
OR
0223 - T4 Flat Amt - No Dues No Vac
For example, if the employee worked 48 hours in the month with a $2.00 top-up, then the amount on Additional Payments would be $96.00 (48 hours x $2.00). When using wage type 0222 or 0223, the departmental CC/CFC must be entered in the cost assignment as the 'top-up' is funded by the department.
In the assignment number field, a text description may be entered to identify the payment; for example, "Work Study Top Up". If you have further questions about topping up Work Study salary, contact AMS HELP at:
http://www.ams.utoronto.ca/training/hris/UTWKSDTY.htm
Q. How are employers notified about future Work Study Programs?
A. U of T Faculty and Staff who are registered with the Career Centre are sent reminder e-mails with program details.
Q. How can I be included in the Work Study mailing list?
A. Visit www.employers.careers.utoronto.ca and select 'Register/Login' and complete the registration form as a U of T employer.
Q. Who do I contact if I have questions about Work Study?
A. For questions about student eligibility and payment procedures:
Anita Chiu
Admissions and Awards
Tel: (416) 946-0443
ay.chiu@utoronto.ca
For questions about registering with the Career Centre and submitting your WorkStudy proposals:
Michelle Atkinson
UTM Career Centre
Tel: (905) 828-5477
michelle.atkinson@utoronto.ca