Work Study Program

ELIGIBILITY

The Work Study Allowance Program is a benefit available to Veterans and Dependent Students who are receiving a VA educational benefit (your eligibility for a VA education benefit must be established first).

You are paid the greater of the federal or state minimum wage in exchange for assistance to VA employees at a VA approved work site.

You are not considered an employee of the VA by the Office of Personnel Management’s standards.

This benefit has a maximum entitlement equal to 25 times the number of weeks in your school enrollment period. (Ex. 6 wk. Enrollment period = 150 hours.)

HOW TO APPLY

STEP 1

Request pre-approval. The work study desk will provide you with a signed Pre-approved Form. This verifies your eligibility for the program and provides a place for your potential supervisor to verify that he/she has accepted you. It will also be necessary to complete and sign the following forms:

1. Application for the Work Study Allowance Program.

2. VA Form 20-8692 Work Study Agreement

3. Reporting Requirements for the Work Study Allowance Program

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STEP 2

Go on an interview at a VA approved work site. Work sites exist in various locations. The following is a partial list of sites. Select the appropriate area of consideration and choose a site that appears desirable. There are always openings at the VA Regional Office, Outpatient Clinics, and Medical Centers. Your school may also use work study students in their VA offices and can offer other suggestions for work within your area.

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South: 

• Family Service Center - NAVSTA

• Employment Development Department - Chula Vista

• Navy Campus - North Island

Central

• Vietnam Veterans of San Diego

• Navy Campus - ASW Base

• Navy Campus - Balboa

North

• Family Service Center - Miramar

• Career Resources Management Center - Pendleton

• VA Medical Center - La Jolla

• Employment Development Department - Escondido

• Vet Center - Vista

Riverside County

• County Vet’s Services Office

• Employment Development Department

Imperial County

• College of the Desert

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STEP 3

Return all of the above forms to the Work Study Coordinator or Designee. At this point, an advance payment equal to 50 hours at minimum wage (no taxes) will be authorized for you unless stated otherwise in your contract. This and all future payments, should be received 8-10 days from the authorization date. As you are paid in 50 hour increments, you will not be due another payment again until you have completed 100 hours.

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YOUR CONTRACT

Within 5 working days after your application is received, (under normal circumstances) you will receive a copy of your contract and an award letter. A time record will also be forwarded to your supervisor to be filled out, copied, signed, and submitted for payment (see the reporting requirements for specific explanation as to the submission of time records for payment).

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PAYMENTS

You are paid in increments of 50 hours. The first of these payments will be paid in advance unless otherwise stated on your completed contract ( "Advance" means before there is verification of hours worked. It does not mean "today". Please allow for processing time for all payments).

When you have completed at least 100 hours, you are due another payment. At this point you will make a copy of your time record (VA Form 8690 and have your supervisor sign the copy. Submit this copy to the VA Regional Office that processed your contract for payment processing).

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