Student Employee Information

What is a Student Worker?

A student worker is a part-time employee who is currently enrolled in at least a half-time credit load at the University of North Georgia with the primary goal of achieving a degree.

A student worker is considered a temporary employee and is not eligible for benefits and also not eligible to work during official University closings.

Definitions of Student Employment

Student Assistants

Federal Work Study Students - Federal Work-Study (FWS) is available through the Financial Aid Department; and this employment program is based on established financial need. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in six or more credit hours each semester. FWS positions and wages are funded through the student's FWS award as part of their financial aid package. Federal Work-Study students work a maximum of 25 hours per week cumulative (in all jobs) for fall and spring semester.
Institutional Students - UNG departments have the ability to hire students using departmental funds. Financial Aid and a current FAFSA are not required. These positions are open to any student enrolled in six or more credit hours each semester, regardless of financial aid status. Institutionally funded student workers have no earning limit for the academic year.

International Students

International students on an F-1 or J-1 visa are limited to 20 hours per week.

Allowable Work Hours

The maximum hours students are allowed to work is 25 hours per week cumulative (in all jobs) for fall and spring semester. Student assistants are exempt from Social Security and Medicare taxes. If at any time it is determined that a student employee's work hours need to exceed the 25 hours/week, the department will need to contact human resources to change the students status to part-time/temporary staff.

Tax Withholding on Wages

If a student is enrolled for 6 credit hours they will be exempt from FICA. The student FICA exception will not apply to students who are not enrolled in classes during school breaks of more than 5 weeks (including summer breaks of more than 5 weeks).

Georgia Defined Contribution Plan

If a student employee does not meet the enrollment hours requirement, they will automatically be enrolled in the Georgia Defined Contribution Plan (GDCP) for temporary employees and subject to a 7.5% deduction and the 1.45% Medicare portion of FICA. There is no employer matching contribution for GDCP; however, there is a matching 1.45% employer Medicare contribution.