Syracuse University did not feel any significant effects of a 20 percent cut in federal work study funding that occurred five years ago this month, officials say.

A $600,000 cut five years ago from a stimulus package, which was allocated for the work-study program, caused the university to deny the money to some students who had previously received the award.

While SU did experience cuts at that time, Ryan Williams, associate vice president for enrollment management and director of scholarship in student aid, said the university found other ways to fund the program.

“Our FWS allocation has been fairly flat since 2011-12,” Williams said in an email. “It is true we have lost some funding over the last several years, however, we have invested university funds in FWS to leverage the federal funding to be sure we can employ as many students as possible and accommodate those who really want to work.”

This semester, SU has offered nearly 5,500 students federal work study, but only 1,200 students are currently working and using FWS, Williams said.

“We expect several hundred more students to become employed throughout the year. There are also several hundred additional students working, however they are not using FWS,” he added.

While some on-campus jobs require FWS and others do not, there is a high demand for on-campus jobs this year, Williams said.

Students are allowed to choose where they work and what time they work in accordance with their academic schedule and need for the position. Some positions on campus are more attractive to students than others, but if a student is really interested in working, there is usually a job available, Williams said.

One of the largest student employers on campus is SU’s Food Services. About 2,000 students are employed by Food Services during the course of the academic year and approximately 30 percent are college work study, said Lynne Mowers, secretary to the director of SU Food Services, in an email.

Even with the number of students employed by SUFS, the 20 percent cut in funding did not have an effect on the number of jobs Food Services has available for students.

“There were no lost positions as SUFS did not cut back student shifts five years ago,” Mowers said.

The university has actually increased the number of student shifts the past several years.

SU has added student jobs in new locations such as the iCafe in Hinds Hall in 2011, the Campus West Express in the Campus West Building in 2013 and the Neporent Café in Dineen Hall in 2014, Mowers said. She added that SU expanded hours of operation in Sadler Dining Hall in 2013 and Graham Dining Hall in 2015.

“We think it is important for students to work if and when they can,” Williams said. “The experience can be valuable regardless of the job. It can add so much to your college experience and of course provide additional financial support.”

Published on September 16, 2015 at 9:55 pm

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