Does a Part-Time Job Affect Financial Aid?

A responsible student will typically look at the costs of college, consider their need for work experience to enhance their resume, and begin the search for a part-time job. After all, a part-time job means money; and as every college student can attest, it’s kind of important when paying for school and maintaining the student life. However, in some cases, a part-time job can hurt rather than help – financially speaking, that is. When it's time to find a part-time job, students should consider what kind and how often to work to make the job beneficial. Get the why and how to make a part-time job work best for you and your financial circumstances below.

Can a Part-Time Job Reduce My Financial Aid?

As it turns out, a part-time job – or the earnings from a part-time job – can impact financial aid. When the FAFSA is filed, it not only takes into account parental finances and contributions but students' as well. When a student includes their income on the FAFSA, it makes them appear less in need of financial aid. Though a college student may not be using their part-time job income to pay for college, the federal government will view the income as a means to pay for school – even though most students use their income to pay for the supplemental costs of college, like transportation, food, and entertainment.

Protecting Your Financial Aid Eligibility While Working Part-Time

Fortunately, there are limitations to what the federal government can consider student income. This helps to protect students, allowing them to work while protecting their chances to receive financial aid. BestColleges reports that the amount of income a student can earn without being penalized on the FAFSA is $7,040. To make that much, a student would have to work at least 18 hours a week for each week of the year and make the federal minimum wage of $7.25. With that in mind, do the math during the job search and not after getting a part-time job. Ask about salary before accepting an offer to ensure that the expected income does not exceed what a student should make to qualify for financial aid. Don’t let a part-time job get in the way of grants, work study, and other financial aid benefits.

How to Shield Part-Time Income on Your FAFSA

If students do hold a part-time job that enables them to make more than the federal government’s student income limits, there are two options for students to help shield their income for purposes of maximizing financial aid eligibility. The first is to simply spend the money before it’s time to file the FAFSA. For instance, if the student wants to buy a car for college, it’s best to do so earlier than October 1 of the year before they plan to file. Another option for students is to invest the money in a 529 college savings account, which should be taken out in the parents’ name. Student income is assessed more harshly than parent income, and 529 accounts are considered a parent asset when determining financial aid eligibility. However, the funds can still be used for college expenses. Taking a part-time job is a responsible, worthy pursuit for students who want to somehow finance their education – whether that’s by paying some of the tuition bill or funding midnight pizza delivery orders. Whatever the case, students should be smart about how much they earn as well as how they present their income so that the result helps them and doesn’t harm.

Still Have Questions about the Financial Impact of a Part-Time Job?

Each student has their unique financial circumstances, and questions on the FAFSA can be very general. With that, you may have concerns about the type of part-time job you have and how much money is too much money to qualify for financial aid. Whatever questions you have are relevant and worth asking. When in doubt about your situation, reach out to a financial aid officer at your top choice college. They will be able to provide more insight into the situation at a general level but also from a vantage point that is pertinent to that particular institution. In some cases, they can also bypass the Student Aid Index (SAI) designated on your FAFSA Submission Summary to provide a financial aid package that better fits your financial circumstances. Consider financial aid officers at colleges another resource in helping you to secure the financial aid you need to attend college with as little debt as possible. Don’t be afraid to seek them out and ask for help. In sum, don’t let the financial aid logistics keep you from getting a part-time job OR from filing the FAFSA. Just do some math beforehand to ensure you’re not making too much money at your part-time job. Or spend it all (responsibly) before you file the FAFSA. When in doubt about your circumstances, reach out to a financial aid officer. Being smart about your part-time job, the FAFSA, and asking for help will enable you to land the optimal financial aid package.

Search for Part-Time Jobs

Monster allows for students to search part-time jobs near in their hometown or college town. Keep in mind that these days, a part-time job is so much more than a paycheck. In a previous survey, 85% of Fastweb members stated that tuition reimbursement from employers is somewhat to extremely important when searching for a part-time job. With that, here are a few employers that offer employer tuition assistance: • Amazon • FedEx • Target • UPS • Walmart