Community Service for Students

If serving members of the community is your goal, WMU offers a community service Federal Work-study program. Past opportunities have included work for public safety departments, ethnic community support agencies, senior centers and housing agencies. Previous employers include: The American Red Cross, Borgess Hospital, Bronson Methodist Hospital, Girl Scouts, Kalamazoo Chamber of Commerce, Kalamazoo Child Abuse and Neglect Council, Western Michigan Legal Services and West Michigan Cancer Center. There are also on-campus community service options such as: Miller Auditorium, University Library, WMU Reading Clinic, Sports Medicine Clinic and Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology.

Obtain a work-study offer

• Complete the FAFSA indicating interest in Federal Work-study. Monitor your progress using the financial aid checklist.
• Regularly check your WMU email. That is where you will receive important communication about the status of your financial aid file and offers.
• Review your financial aid offer letter on goWMU. Verify receipt of Federal Work-study offer.
• If you would like to receive Federal Work-study during Summer I or Summer II, you must complete a separate application - available each Spring semester on our Forms page. 

Find employment

• For assistance please visit Handshake. Many student find unique opportunities by talking with campus staff, instructors and other students. For personal assistance with your  job search, please contact Career and Student Employment Services at (269) 387-2745.
• Off-campus sites must sign an agreement with WMU before they employ students using WMU Federal Work-study programs. Please contact Career and Student Employment Services for more information.
• Notify your employer that you have a Federal Work-study offer. In order to confirm the type and amount of your Federal Work-study offer, your interviewer may ask for a copy of your offer letter. You may always view and print your financial aid offer letter using goWMU.
• Plan your work schedule with your supervisor. Please note, the calculations assume you are working all pay periods assigned to the semester/session.

Fall or Spring

Your offer amount / Hourly pay rate / 18 weeks = hours per week.

Summer l or Summer ll

Your offer amount / Hourly pay rate / 8 weeks = hours per week.