Work-Study Earnings
For the most part, earning work-study is the same as earning an hourly wage at any other job.
- Work-study must be earned by the student - it is NOT applied directly to the tuition and fee bill.
- We strongly recommend that students monitor their earnings compared to their total work-study offer. If a work-study amount is revised for any reason, the student will receive an email from the Office of Financial Aid.
- Employers can monitor a student's earnings using the Employer View Page in CU-SIS Campus Solutions. View instructions for requesting access to the page, and view a tutorial on reading the page. Student Employment also has a worksheet that can be used to monitor students' earnings.
- Work-study earnings are taxable, though they are excluded from financial need determination on the FAFSA for the following year.
- Student employees should keep their employee address information current in the Resources tab of so they receive their W-2 in a timely manner. This address information is separate from what they have on file as a student. If you are not a current CU employee, contact Employee Services at 303-860-4200 for help with changing employee address.
- Students are limited to working a maximum of 25 hours per week (or 50 hours per bi-weekly pay period) during the fall and spring semesters and to 40 hours per week (or 80 hours per bi-weekly pay period) during the summer. View the Student Hourly Employee Work Hours Policy.
- View important work-study dates and deadlines.