Pay a Student

Type of Pay

There are two types of pay for student employment:

• Federal Work Study: Federal Work Study is a need-based aid program that is awarded to students who have demonstrated financial need. This program is available to citizens or permanent residents of the United States. Students who receive a Federal Work Study allocation as part of the financial aid package are eligible to apply for Work Study jobs on campus. Students can earn up to the amount listed on their award letter. Questions about work study should be directed to the Financial Aid Office at (262) 472-1130.
• Regular Pay: The majority of student employees on campus fall into this category. Regular Pay means that the student does not receive Federal Work Study, therefore 100% of the earnings are charged directly to the hiring department.

Classification Levels and Wage Guidelines

The hourly wage for student employees ranges from $7.25 per hour to $15.00 per hour. It is the responsibility of the hiring department to ensure that students are paid equitably for the same level of work. In order to ensure that this is the case, departments should:

• Develop and utilize job titles and description of duties for all student employees. The following General, Intermediate, and Specialized Classification Levels will serve as guidance to hiring managers when establishing the level.
• Determine a starting wage for all student positions. The department has the authority to establish the starting hourly wage within the range of pay for each of the Classification Levels. However, it is important that the starting hourly wage be consistent for all students hired by the department within each Classification Level.
• Develop a fair and consistent departmental policy on raises/pay increases.
• Maintain records and be able to justify that starting wages and raises are done in a manner that is fair and equitable for all student employees.
• When requested by Human Resources, provide documentation demonstrating that the department maintains fair and equitable practices in their payment of all student employees.

General

Starting Hourly Wage Range: $7.25 to $10.00 per hour

General Position Characteristics:

• Minimum or no skills
• Close supervision with assistance readily available
• Limited independent decision making
• Work is routine and not complex
• Duties are performed independently after training
• Responsibility is limited to task performance

Examples of General Positions:

• Accounting Assistant/Clerk
• Receptionist/Desk Attendant
• Cashier/Clerk
• Clerical Assistant
• Library or Lab Assistant

Intermediate

Starting Hourly Wage Range: $10.00 to $12.00 per hour

Intermediate Position Characteristics:

• Relevant job-related skills or training and/or prior experience necessary
• Some independent judgment and initiative within limits
• Supervisory responsibilities for limited activities
• Work of moderate difficulty and complexity requiring the exercise of discretion
• Less procedural in nature of the total operation and application of specialized knowledge

Examples of Intermediate Work:

• Graphic Artist/Illustrator
• Research Assistant
• Administrative Assistant
• IT User Support Assistant
• Web Development Assistant
• Groundskeeper/Gardening

Specialized

Starting Hourly Wage Range: $12.00 to $15.00 per hour

General Specialized Characteristics:

• Advanced level of skills, training, and/or job-related experience
• Receives only general supervision
• Involves supervisory responsibilities for large or complex activities
• Considerable problem solving and decision-making
• Significant consequence for error
• Responsible for specialized activity or whole operation
• May develop or recommend operating policy procedures

Examples of Specialized Work:

• Computer Specialist
• Network Administration Assistant
• Program Manager
• Lead Student Administrative Assistant
• Faculty Assistant
• Figure Model
• Information Coordinator

Changes in Student Appointments

Pay Increases (All pay increases must be effective at the beginning of the pay period)

Departments may, but are not required to, give a pay increase (raise) to student employees for length of service or quality of work performed. It is the responsibility of the department to establish clear and consistent guidelines on how pay increases will be determined. The campus maintains the following policy regarding student employment pay increases:

• The minimum pay increase per term is approximately $.25 per hour.
• Pay increases are for permanent change in hourly wage only. However, in order to offer competitive wages during the summer months, departments are allowed to pay students up to $1.00 per hour more than their hourly wage during the academic year.  It is the responsibility of the department to enter both the start and end date of the summer incentive on the Student Employment Tool change form. If indefinite is marked for an end date, it will be condsidered a permanent wage change.
• Pay increase requests are for future dates only. There will be no retroactive or backdated changes in hourly wages.
• Departments should maintain records to be able to verify that starting pay and pay increases are consistent with the department's guidelines, thereby ensuring that hourly pay is fair and equitable for all student employees.
• Departments may request an exception to the amount and timing of raises by submitting a written plan to the Director of Human Resources & Diversity.

Funding Change

Departments may request a change in funding source for student employees at any time during the year. All changes will be made for future pay periods and are not retroactive.