Admissions
Financial Aid
Federal Work-Study
Student Employment Handbook
Mission
The Federal Work-Study program at Mars Hill College exists to provide qualified students with part-time job opportunities. The wages from said part-time job can be used to help pay for college expenses. FWS gives students the opportunity to work in preparation for entering the job market while meeting critical needs of the college.
Job Acquisition
The financial aid office awards FWS to eligible students as CWSP as part of their financial aid package. At the beginning of the fall semester a list of available jobs is posted in the financial aid office as well as e-mailed to all eligible student workers. It is the responsibility of the student to contact the supervisor listed, set a time for an interview, and complete all forms required by both federal and state governments and the institution. Required paperwork includes:
| W-4 | Federal tax form |
| NC-4 | North Carolina tax form |
| I-9 | Federal employment eligibility form: to be completed with supervisor |
| Waiver | Form providing option to assign wages to their student account* |
| Employment Agreement | Supervisor/student employment agreement: to be completed with supervisor |
* Note: Federal Work-Study is packaged as part of the student’s financial aid which is shown as anticipated aid in the student’s initial billing statement. Unearned or unassigned work-study checks will result in a balance due to the institution unless the student’s bill is paid in full.
All forms must be completed and submitted to the Financial Aid Office by August 31, 2011, to secure employment through the Federal Work-Study program at Mars Hill College.
Timesheets
It is the student and supervisor’s responsibility for keeping accurate records of the exact time the worker begins and ends their job. Students are to record their time online through Time Tracker. At the end of the payment period (typically at the end of the month) the student is to print out and sign the timesheet with their supervisor. Supervisor and student signatures are verification the data presented is a true and accurate reflection of time worked. The student’s signed timesheet is due to the Financial Aid Office the next business day after the last working day of each payment period. Exceptions are holiday periods and semester’s end; at these times students and supervisors will be notified of exact due dates. No payment is made without the completed official timesheet.
Work Hours
FWS employees must be committed to working the entire semester. The supervisor may schedule the work time based on departmental requirements or the supervisor and student employee may schedule the work time to meet the needs of the department and the worker. Annual earnings cannot exceed the FWS award amount. Work time cannot exceed 40 hours per week. Students cannot work during their regularly scheduled class times even if the class is canceled.
Attendance
College Work-Study Program student employees are expected to adhere to their work schedules in order to earn the total amount of their award. Workers are expected to be at work on time and attired as directed by the supervisor. The supervisor must be informed of any absence prior to the beginning of the scheduled work time. An excused absence is any absence authorized by the supervisor. A supervisor may allow time missed to be rescheduled if it is conducive to the job. Any absence that is not approved will be an unexcused absence. Student employees will be subject to the Disciplinary Action Policy for unexcused absences. Consecutive absences of three scheduled work days will be considered voluntary quit, if – prior to the end of the third scheduled workday – the worker does not contact the supervisor. An absence due to personal illness must be documented by a doctor’s signature in order to qualify as an excused absence. Participation in events designated by the college will be excused absences. Student employees will not receive pay for hours not worked.
Vacation Breaks
Students will not be required to work on those days that are school holidays, as listed in the student calendar.
Pay Scale
First time FWS student workers in the 2011-2012 academic year will be paid at the rate of $7.25 per hour. Students who received FWS in 2010-2011 will continue to be paid at their prior year pay rate until the student graduates, loses FWS eligibility, or voluntarily/involuntarily ends participation in the FWS program. Semester earnings cannot exceed the Federal Work-Study amount as indicated on the student’s financial aid package.
Evaluation
The supervisor has the right to evaluate student workers in the FWS program. Evaluations may include assessment of worker’s progress and include guidance to improve job performance and motivation to improve job satisfaction.
Disciplinary Action Policy
Student workers are expected to maintain standards of conduct suitable for the workplace. Student worker behavior should be based upon the Mars Hill College Code of Student Conduct as outlined in the Mars Hill College Catalog/Student Handbook. Violation of these rules, whether specifically addressed or implied, can result in a warning or a removal from the position.
Job Assignment Changes
Any participant in the College Work-Study Program may request a change in job assignment. However, the program does not guarantee that another position will be available.
Worker Safety
It is the student’s responsibility to wear any safety equipment required for the performance of their job. If an accident occurs, it should be reported immediately to the supervisor or to the Wellness Center.
Children in the Workplace
FWS student workers are not to bring children to the area where they are performing their job duties. The presence of children during work hours is not allowed because of the potential for interruption of work, health and safety issues, and liability to the organization. Also, it is not acceptable to request that College employees take responsibility for supervising a student worker’s child during their scheduled work time. Nothing in this policy prevents children being on campus for approved College activities or brief visits.
ADA/EEO
No employee or applicant will be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender or age (Except when gender or age is an occupational requirement or qualification). The Mars Hill College Student Employment program affirms its intent to comply with federal regulations regarding persons with disabilities. The program does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the hiring or placement of applicants. Student Employment is in compliance with the ADA and makes every effort possible to provide equal working opportunities to all students. Any manager or supervisor involved in the FWS program who fails to fully adhere to this policy will be disciplined accordingly.
Supervisor Responsibilities
The following activities are the responsibility of the supervisor of student employees:
- Interview job applicants
- Select the exact number of applicants for the number of positions available
- Provide a meaningful work experience for the student employee
- Train students in order to motivate said student to develop their fullest work potential
- Maintain accurate records for time worked
- Conduct evaluation to provide appropriate feedback to student
Grievance Procedure
The FWS program recognizes that in any relationship there is a chance that problems will develop. If a participant in the program has a complaint, he or she is encouraged to speak to their supervisor. If the complaint is not resolved after a discussion with the supervisor, or if the complaint is related to an action taken by the supervisor, the student may contact the Director of Financial Aid. If the problem remains unresolved, it may be referred to a person of higher authority.