Join the Work Study Program

Government agencies, private corporations, small businesses, and non-profit organizations, who are not involved in political or religious activity can apply to participate in the State Work Study (SWS) program in partnership with PLU.

Employers who sign up to participate are able to hire educated, motivated students at a lower cost. Once an employer is approved, they can post positions on our Opportunities Board and hire students according to their normal hiring practices.

Any student hired becomes an employee of the company, agency, or organization and is paid according to the employer’s standard employment practices. At the end of each pay period, the employer requests reimbursement for gross wages that have been paid to the student.

The reimbursement rate for non-profits is 70% of gross wages paid, 60% for government agencies, and 40% for private companies.

A detailed description of the process is available here. Find links to the forms required to sign up, hire a student, and get reimbursed below. Completed sign-up forms may be submitted by email to stuemp@plu.edu. Once we have reviewed your forms, we will ask you to send original, signed documents by mail. Time Sheets must be submitted by mail.

Please contact us at 253-535-7415 if you have questions.

Sign Up

Read more about the program on the WA Student Achievement Council Website. Sign up by filling out the Employer Contract and Profile, Statewide Vendor Number, and Job Description forms found at the bottom of the site. Submit your forms to stuemp@plu.edu. It can take 3-6 weeks to receive your approval.

Learn More
Hire a Student

Hire a student according to your standard recruiting practices. Work with the student to fill out and submit the Referral Agreement to confirm how much SWS funding the student has. Make sure the student doesn't begin working until you have received confirmation that your participation in the work study program has been approved.

Referral Agreement
Get Reimbursed

You pay the student according to your standard payroll practices. Submit a time sheet each month to get reimbursed for the wages you've paid. Reimbursement rates are 70% for non-profits, 60% for government agencies, and 40% for private companies. Submit your time sheets to the PLU Student Employment Office by mail.

Timesheets