It’s important that every student who comes to Grinnell has access to everything that makes our community so wonderful. That’s why we offer a multitude of resources, including work-study, to help keep a Grinnell education more affordable and within reach for you and your family. For more information about student employment at Grinnell, please review the Student Employment Tip Sheet (PDF).
Student Employment
Funded by either Grinnell or the federal government, you have the opportunity to earn money during the academic year with a campus job. The standard student employment/work-study amount is $3,000 for new students and $3,150 for returning students. New students can earn $3,000 by working less than eight hours per week during the academic year, and returning students can earn $3,150 by working about eight hours per week during the academic year.
Incoming first-year students who have student employment or federal work-study as part of their financial aid will receive an email prior to their arrival on campus that includes instructions on searching and applying for positions, required payroll forms, and other important details. Any student, regardless of financial aid status, can work on campus. Open positions are posted on the Student Employment website (login required).
All students planning to work on campus should complete payroll forms during New Student Orientation or any time at the Office of Student Accounts.
Contact Student Employment (login required) with questions about student employment policies, payroll, or how to apply for a campus job. For questions related to your financial aid, contact the Office of Financial Aid.
Student employees are paid $13.50 per hour for the 2024-25 academic year and $13.77 for the 2025-26 academic year.
The only exception is room grant-eligible positions, including community advisors (CAs). Students working in these positions choose to receive a room grant that covers the cost of basic on-campus housing or a stipend of equal value.