Community Engagement Work Study and Internship Program
The Community Work Study and Internship (CEWSI) Program is a branch of the Federal College Work-Study Program operated by CCESL. The program is dual-purposed—provides temporary, part-time employment for UHD students with a financial need and meets the needs of the community through designated ‘partner’ organizations in Houston.
Partner organizations that employ Community Work-Study students are not paid wages by the organization. Students are compensated through their financial aid award and work 10 - 19.5 hours per week. These organizations train, assign tasks, supervise, and monitor the hours of the student by completing weekly timesheets.
The employment period for the spring 2024 semester begins January 16, 2024 and will run until May 31, 2024.
Community Engagement Work Study & Internship Program: Students
Student Eligibility Requirements:
- Qualify for financial aid and accept work-study funds.
- Be enrolled at least half-time (6 hours) and meet academic progress.
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- Submit to background screening.
- Provide verifiable I-9 documents.
- Complete UHD employment onboarding.
- Attend semester workstudy orientation.
How to Apply:
- Review a current list of available off-campus internships or tutoring sites by visiting the Community Engagement Job Board.
- Apply through the UHD employment website. (Completion of this one application will apply to all available positions.)
- Use the keyword "community engagement" in the top left-hand corner.
- Complete the application for "Federal Workstudy II, Off Campus Community Engagement" attaching the following items:
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Class schedule
- Screenshot of work study award
- Failure to attach all necessary items may cause a delay in possible employment.
CCESL staff will meet with potential student applicants to discuss program requirements and interview process to ensure their fitness for a position. You will also be required to interview with your potential work site.
Once all paperwork, initial orientation, and interviews have been completed, students will be notified by CCESL when they are eligible to begin working.
Community Engagement Work Study & Internship Program: Organizations
Organizations should hold 501(c)3 status, or be educationally related in order to participate in the CEWSI program.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Work Study Agreement due?
Agencies interested in students for Spring work study should submit the Work Study Agreements to CCESL in late October. For Fall work study, agencies should submit Agreements during June.
No student may be placed with an organization before a fully executed agreement is on file with UHD.
Is there any support for organizations to create appropriate position descriptions?
Yes. Many organizations find this document, Tips on Effective Internship Descriptions, helpful in structuring your description to fit an internship position.
When can organizations expect to begin receiving information about potential students?
Students apply year-round for the CEWSI program. Organizations should expect to hear about candidates for Spring Semesters beginning mid-December/January and for Fall semesters beginning in mid-August/September.
When will students know if they are eligible for work study?
Students are notified during the summertime that they are eligible for work study. If a student has not already been awarded work study funds, they must apply for a work study position first. The Office of Financial Aid will review the student's eligibility and award them work study funds if appropriate.
Can organizations pre-select student interns for the Community Work Study & Internship program?
Organizations can certainly recommend students to apply for the program. However, all potential interns and tutors will be evaluated by CCESL and top candidates will be determined from the pool.
What if I have more questions?
You may contact CCESL Program Coordinator, Natasha Nowlin at nowlinn@uhd.edu.