Student Employment

(Please note, student employment awards may not be counted as aid awarded when calculating monthly payment plans.)

Joe R. Smith Student Service Program
(Minimum wage per hour, average award is $1,540)

John Brown University Student Employment
Student employment programs include:

• Federal Student Employment
• Federal Community Service

The JBU Financial Aid Office may award student employment as part of the student's financial aid package. Service/work schedules will be made in accordance with student class schedules. NEW STUDENTS can expect to provide service in one of the following areas: food service, custodial, or grounds maintenance. Hours are usually limited to 9 hours per week. Checks are issued to students once each month for actual hours worked. These earnings can be applied directly to tuition and room/board expenses, or can be used for other indirect educational expenses.

• File Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Service assignment based on positions available.
• Amount earned based on hours worked per week.
• Federal programs are based on financial need.
• JBU's program is not limited to financial need, but preference is given to students demonstrating need.

What is the Joe R. Smith Student Service Program?

The Joe R. Smith Student Service Program represents JBU's student employment programs. Since the Service Program has been included in your award offer, on-campus employment MAY be available to you.
The awarded amount is the maximum amount you could earn.
Placement is not guaranteed, although every effort is made to schedule hours
for each student who accepts the Student Service award offer.

Who was Joe R. Smith?

Joe R. Smith graduated from John Brown University in 1927. After Graduation, he devoted nearly fifty years as the director of JBU’s work programs. It has been said that he was “the personification of the JBU spirit.” He carefully upheld the ideals of the work ethic, as he faithfully lent encouragement to students who worked around him. He was a wonderful example for the students as he effectively labored to serve God and man.

Student Employment at JBU

In the early years of JBU, every student worked as a part of his or her education. Students made dresses, furniture, baked goods, and many other products to pay for the costs of the instruction they received here. Today, we employ nearly 600 students each year. Most work 8 hours per week.

Freshmen accept service positions in one of three areas that are essential to the daily operation of the campus: food service, custodial, or grounds maintenance.

Upperclassmen participate in an interview process each April to fill open positions for the fall semester. These positions are varied and cover most areas on campus: Walton Lifetime Health Complex workers, admissions interns, professor and office assistants, librarians, computer center monitors, and many other areas.

Off-campus programs include reading and math tutors, worker at our local Boys and Girls Club, the public library, and many more.

In our view, the end of all work is to please God. We stand against the view, prevalent in the world today, that a job or career is chosen to please the self alone. In the world’s value system, the gods of money and status become the measures of success. A penniless missionary in some distant field of Christian service simply does not fit very well into this career plan. We believe that every occupation holds within it the potential for Christian service.
--John E. Brown

Program Emphasis

Christian Work Ethic
Honoring authority – Romans 13:1
Doing the best job possible – Colossians 3:23
Putting energy into one’s work – 1 Peter 4:11

Character Development
Integrity
Accountability
Trustworthiness

Service While Learning
Service to God and, the JBU community
Gain work experience while being involved in daily operation of the University
Celebration of JBU’s heritage

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I have work experience in a certain field. Can I do that even though I’m a freshman?
A: No. All freshmen are assigned to an essential services position for one full year. Freshmen can choose to work for Aramark Corporation (food service), grounds maintenance, or facilty services. These areas provide vital services for the daily operation of the University and require a large number of student workers in order to run effectively.

Q: When do workstudy assignments start?
A: Workstudy begins the first day of classes each semester.

Q: When do I get paid?
A: Student employees get paid on the tenth of each month beginning in October and ending in June.

Q: Are workstudy wages taxable? Should I include it on my tax return?
A: Yes! All wages paid to students (including workstudy) are subject to federal and state income taxes, and must be reported on the appropriate tax forms. Retirement contributions, such as social security, are not withheld. Each employee will receive an earnings statement, Form W-2, from the Business office at the end of the calendar year.

More Questions?
phone: 479.524.7124
e-mail: workstudy@jbu.edu
visit the Workstudy web site.