Ask: Financial aid officeThe FAFSA, start to finish
Course 1 · 6 lessons · 18 min to read
FreeStart lesson 1
Working while you study
Find work that fits your classes, understand your first paycheck and tax return, and see how earnings touch next year's aid.
- 6 lessons, about 18 minutesRead them in order, or jump to the one you need
- Steps to try after every lessonShort actions for the week ahead
- Who to ask: Career centerHelps with campus jobs, internships and resumes.
- Free, with no sign-inNothing to buy and no account to make
About this course
Many students work while they study, and the job itself is only part of the picture. This course explains Federal Work-Study, how to land a campus job and how to weigh an internship, paid or unpaid.
It then follows the money: the W-4 you fill in when you start, your first paycheck, your first tax return, and how this year's pay shows up on a FAFSA you file later.
Syllabus
- 6 lessons3 to 3 min each
- 25 steps to trySpread across the lessons
- About 18 min in allAt an easy reading pace
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- What the line on your offer means
- Finding a job that uses the award
- Pay, hours and limits
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- Where campus jobs are listed
- Applying and interviewing
- Your first week of paperwork
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- How paid internships work
- When an unpaid internship is allowed
- Counting the full cost
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- What the W-4 does
- Filling it in step by step
- Reading your first pay stub
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- Deciding whether to file
- Gathering your papers
- Dependents and education credits
- Filing for free and keeping a copy
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- Which year the FAFSA looks at
- How student earnings are counted
- When this year looks different
- Getting ready now
What the course covers
By the end you can
- Use a work-study award, or find a job without one
- Fill in a W-4 and read a pay stub
- File a first tax return with free tools
- Know how your earnings reach next year's FAFSA
Not part of it
- Job listings or placements
- Preparing your tax return
- Advice about a particular employer
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