Navigating Student Jobs at the University of Cincinnati: A Comprehensive Guide

For University of Cincinnati (UC) students, on-campus employment presents a valuable opportunity to offset college expenses while enriching their academic experience. This guide provides a detailed overview of student job opportunities at UC, including eligibility, application processes, and the benefits of working on campus.

The Benefits of On-Campus Employment

Many UC students find that working on campus is an excellent way to earn money for college expenses. Working part-time while a student is an excellent way to reduce your debt load. Although student employees are not eligible for traditional benefits packages, on-campus employment does offer its own series of perks. Studies consistently find that students who work between 10 and 20 hours per week perform better academically than students who do not work at all. Beyond financial gains, on-campus jobs offer several advantages:

Convenience: On-campus jobs are designed to fit your busy student schedule while setting you up for future success. The proximity to classes and campus resources simplifies time management.
Skill Development: Students can gain valuable work experience, develop professional skills, and enhance their resumes.
Networking: On-campus employment provides opportunities to connect with professors, staff, and fellow students, expanding your professional network.
Campus Connection: Working on campus fosters a stronger sense of belonging and integration into the university community. While the Student Financial Aid Office is not involved with students seeking employment beyond Federal Work-Study, we know that working on-campus is a great way to become better connected to the campus community.

Of course, employment of any kind assists students in meeting their educational costs. Working while a student, particularly on-campus, can offer many advantages. Just remember that you are a student first.

Types of On-Campus Positions

Student employment opportunities exist in almost every campus office and service. On-campus positions are divided into two categories: work-study and departmental employment.

Federal Work-Study

As a need-based financial aid program, Federal Work-Study pays for 75% of the wage while the department only has to pay 25%. Work-study positions allow a campus employer to stretch their student payroll dollars. Work-study wages benefit the student as well. Earnings as a work-study student are specially reported on the following year's FAFSA. An advantage for students in work-study positions is that their work-study earnings are excluded when calculating their financial aid eligibility the following year. Unlike other aid sources, work-study earnings will not be credited to your university bill. Students will earn a bi-weekly paycheck with payday being alternating Tuesdays. Earnings are limited to a specified amount on your Financial Aid Award Offer. Your individual work schedule and hourly wage will determine if you earn the total amount awarded. Summer work-study requires a separate application process. Work-study students will be paid the same wage as non-work-study students and can have the same responsibilities.

To be eligible for work-study, students must:

Demonstrate financial need.
Be enrolled in classes or co-op. Because work-study is an aid source, enrollment in classes or co-op is required for employment. Students who completely withdraw from classes must cease working effective the date of withdrawal.
Maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Departmental Employment

Student employment other than through Federal Work-Study is often called departmental employment. Any UC student can seek departmental employment. Employment opportunities to work on campus are also available for those students who do not qualify for Work-Study.

Finding and Applying for On-Campus Jobs

Applications for student positions are available at individual on-campus departments and are listed online in Handshake or jobs.uc.edu. Here's how to navigate the job search:

Online Job Boards: Explore a wide range of opportunities at jobs.uc.edu or log in to Handshake using your UC username and password to discover student worker positions, work-study roles, and graduate assistantships. Search portals to find on-campus student positions.
Networking: Pro Tip: Leverage your network by speaking directly with professors and departmental staff.
Regularly Check for New Postings: Additional jobs will be added as employers post them so you may wish to check the site regularly. Jobs will be added as employers post them so you may wish to check the site regularly.
UC Blue Ash College Opportunities: UC Blue Ash Colleges offers great part-time options for students to work on campus. On Handshake, there are several different offices/departments that hire for on-campus student worker roles at Blue Ash. Please complete the student worker general pool application. UC Blue Ash Departments will review the applications for applicants suitable for their available position.
The Learning Commons: The Learning Commons is one of the largest student employers on UC's campus. We offer a variety of services with different staffing needs and timelines. Additionally, some of our programs are embedded in courses each semester, meaning they start early! Each semester, the Learning Commons hires a variety of undergraduate and graduate students to tutor, coach, and mentor fellow Bearcats in our wide array of services. Each program under the Learning Commons umbrella has a different mission and requires different qualifications for student employees. All Learning Commons student employees start at $12.00 per hour and have the opportunity to earn raises each semester. The Learning Commons Fall 2026 Application is now open. The priority deadline to apply is Friday, March 6th. Applications submitted by this deadline are guaranteed to be reviewed.

When applying, be prepared to:

Submit a resume and cover letter.
Complete an application form.
Participate in an interview.

Specific On-Campus Opportunities

A wide range of Federal Work-Study jobs exist at the university. Students provide valuable work in areas ranging from academic offices to research labs.

Read also: Guide to UC Davis Student Housing

UC Clermont Learning Commons STEM Academic Support Services

UC Clermont Learning Commons STEM Academic Support Services is seeking enthusiastic and dedicated individuals with a strong academic background and a passion for helping others learn. If you possess excellent communication skills, a patient and supportive demeanor, and the ability to connect with students of all ages and learning styles, we encourage you to apply to be a Clermont tutor at the link below. Group Review Sessions (GRS) Peer Leader and On-Campus Drop-In Tutors.

External Companies on Campus

These are jobs located on campus, but paid by a company other than the University of Cincinnati. Specific jobs may qualify as an on-campus position.

Bleecker St.
The 86 at CCM (CCM only; the Jefferson Ave.
The Foundation: The Foundation is on a case-by-case basis. If the job is raising funds for scholarships for students, this is OK. Anything else doesn’t qualify.
BEST Crowd Management, A GardaWorld Company: BEST Crowd Management, A GardaWorld Company, provides gameday event staff / security positions for University of Cincinnati sporting and entertainment events. These positions serve as frontline ambassadors for University events including greeting guests, giving directions and other activities that lead to a premier event experience. Please be advised: this company also provides services at other Cincinnati sporting venues for which you would not be authorized to work. During your interview, you must tell the hiring manager that you are a UC international student and can only work events that take place on UC's campus. Please be advised: this company also provides services at other Cincinnati sporting venues for which you would not be authorized to work. During your interview, you must tell the hiring manager that you are a UC international student and can only work events that take place on UC's campus.

Important Considerations for Student Employees

Work Hours: Student workers are expected to work between 5 - 20 hours per week and will assist in a large variety of tasks depending upon which department you work for. Your work scheduled is arranged with your individual employer once hired. Students may be employed in more than one position. However, a student may not work over 40 hours in a single or combination of university positions and are generally limited to a maximum of 24 hours per week due to other labor laws. International students who are Student Employees are appointed on a temporary, part-time basis and may hold multiple student appointments provided the combination of appointments do not exceed the hourly limitations below. Student Employees are limited to 24 hours of service per week for the university while school is in session. All Student Employee appointments held by a student are counted against the 24-hour maximum. International Student Employees are limited to 20 hours of service per week while school is in session and 40 hours of service per week during scheduled breaks. Graduate Assistants are limited to 20 hours of service per week while school is in session. Graduate Assistants who hold a student employee position in addition to their Graduate Assistant position are limited to 4 hours of service per week in their student position while school is in session. Departments are responsible for monitoring the hours worked by Student Employees assigned to their department. Hourly Student Employees are considered non-exempt employees for purposes of determining overtime compensation. In the event a Student Employee works more than 40 hours in a work week, the overtime rate of one-and- one-half times the regular hourly rate must be applied to the excess hours. If a Student Employee holding multiple assignments works more than 40 hours in a week, the overtime will be prorated among the multiple assignments. It is the Student Employee’s responsibility to seek prior approval to work overtime from all of the units in which they have an assignment. Co-op Student Employees are eligible to work 40 hours per week for the duration of the co-op experience.
Employee Guidelines: As employees, student workers are expected to follow employee guidelines.
Overtime: Hourly Student Employees are considered non-exempt employees for purposes of determining overtime compensation. In the event a Student Employee works more than 40 hours in a work week, the overtime rate of one-and- one-half times the regular hourly rate must be applied to the excess hours. If a Student Employee holding multiple assignments works more than 40 hours in a week, the overtime will be prorated among the multiple assignments. It is the Student Employee’s responsibility to seek prior approval to work overtime from all of the units in which they have an assignment.
Academic Calendar: Academic break periods are a function of the academic calendar, and do not relate to Student Employee work assignments. Students are not eligible for holiday pay. In University offices where services are maintained on holidays, and students are scheduled to work, their pay is at the regular hourly rate.
Re-employment: Upon completion of training, or if discharged under honorable conditions, and upon re-registration as a student, the student employee shall be returned to his or her former position in a timely manner, based on the availability of a student position.
Eligibility: The one “off” term in each academic year in which the student is not enrolled. Other than for international student employees, student employee status may be retained for one additional term following either graduation or withdrawal from enrollment.
Terms of Employment: To be employed, Student Employees must accept the agreed upon terms of employment, as outlined in the offer. Employment Authorization (I-9) and any other required employment forms should be completed and certified for all Student Employees before the first day of employment, but no later than three (3) business days of the date of employment.
Bonuses: Bonuses may be awarded to Student Employees based on the criteria outlined in Policy 14.19: Student Employee Bonus Policy. Any academic awards or scholarships that a Student Employee receives is not considered compensation for purposes of their employment with the University.
Wage Increases: Hourly wage increases for Student Employees as determined by the hiring department based on factors that may include, among other considerations, longevity and job complexity.
Multiple Positions: Yes, you are able to apply for multiple positions by submitting a separate application for each position you are intersted in. I already have an on-campus job. Yes, so long as you do not exceed your maximum hours each week and both positions work in your schedule.
International Students: During your interview, you must tell the hiring manager that you are a UC international student and can only work events that take place on UC's campus. First, you will fill out biographical information, including your name, address, and phone number. Name: Fill in your name as it appears on your passport. 1234 Bearcat Way, Apt. Are you married or single? Please show up to the UC International office on time! You can then start working and apply for a Social Security Number.