UGS & GPS

Rice University is committed to providing students with meaningful employment opportunities that support academic success while fostering professional growth. Through student employment, students gain valuable hands-on experience, develop transferable skills, and apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings. These opportunities promote career readiness, responsibility, and engagement, while also supporting university operations and strengthening the Rice community.

Federal Work Study: Student Worker

Federal Work Study is a part-time employment program for students who have demonstrated financial need according to eligibility criteria set forth by the federal government. Students are limited to earning the dollar amount shown on their award letter.

Through the Federal Work Study, 75% of the students' wages are paid with a federal grant, and 25% are paid by the department that employs them. The Office of Financial Aid does not pay any fringe.
To determine Federal Work Study eligibility, the student may provide you with a copy of their financial aid offer; please look for the exact wording "federal work study." You may also reach out to the Office of Financial Aid at fina@rice.edu to confirm a student's Federal Work Study eligibility.
Work-study awards are awarded to students, not departments, based on financial eligibility. Each year, Rice University receives a fixed amount of work-study funds for its students.
Work-study awards are need-based awards. If a student has no unmet financial need (as defined by Rice), the student will not qualify for a work-study award. Students must have a work-study award offer from the Office of Financial Aid to be employed with work-study funds.
There is a limit to the amount of work-study funds students can earn. This amount is listed on their financial aid award letters.
The Office of Financial Aid will receive a monthly update from the accounting office listing the amount of work-study funds earned by students. If the report shows that a student has less than $300 in work-study eligibility left, our office will notify the sponsoring department.
If a student earns more than his or her work-study award, the sponsoring department will be charged the overage.

Rice Work: Student Worker

Rice Work, unlike Federal Work Study, is open to all Rice students regardless of need. Departments pay 100% of a student's wages under Rice Work.

How to Hire a Student Worker:

Students may use the 12Twenty Job Board to view and apply for jobs, whether the jobs are funded through Rice Work or Federal Work Study. Registered supervisors may view and hire applicants for posted positions.

Students being hired for the first time must also complete the Form I-9 and Form W-4. Students may not begin work, nor be paid until the Form I-9 is completed. The student's employment eligibility and I-9 status may be reviewed online through iO. Please contact the HR Service Center at 713-348-2232 or email people@rice.edu for assistance.