Higher pay leads students off-campus
By ERIN LaRUFFA
News Writer
While many of their peers are working at places like the Huddle Mart or Hesburgh Library, some Notre Dame and Saint Mary's students choose to venture out into the South Bend job market.
For some, income from off-campus jobs is an important supplement to financial aid.
Notre Dame sophomore Shana Blair — who receives about $15,000 in scholarships, while the rest of her tuition comes in the form of loans — works at Colorado Steakhouse to cover additional expenses. Blair used to have an on-campus job at the library, but actually makes more money as a waitress.
"I need to use that money for every day expenses," said Blair. "I couldn't work enough hours at the library."
However, money students earn at off-campus jobs can hurt them when they apply for financial aid, a process they must go through yearly.
Cortney Swift, who works in the Office of Financial Aid as coordinator of the Student Employment Office, explained that there are two types of financial aid. With one form, money comes from Notre Dame, while the other form is work-study aid that is partially federally funded.
No matter what type of aid a student receives, total financial aid — including loans, scholarships, grants and work-study — cannot exceed a certain amount per student, Swift said. That amount is based on tuition, room and board, books and supplies, expenses and transportation costs. Although the actual amount differs somewhat among students, the average maximum amount this year for a Notre Dame student is $31,600, according to Swift.
Money earned at an off-campus job is not counted as part of a student's financial aid, and therefore is not included when figuring out the maximum aid a student receives. However, that income does show up on the student's FAFSA application for the following year, Swift said.
"It doesn't go against their financial aid, but we would count their earnings against next year's financial aid eligibility," she said.
Therefore, for some students, working off-campus could actually hurt them.
For someone like Blair, however, that is not the case. She explained that a combination of her hourly wages and tips at Colorado Steakhouse make it worthwhile for her work there.
Financial aid is not always a consideration for students with off-campus jobs.
Notre Dame senior Yasemin Gadelhak, who works at Lula's, decided to get a job to help cover living expenses when she moved off-campus.
"Living off campus gets expensive," she said.
Because her father is a faculty member, Gadelhak receives free tuition. Therefore, when she worked on campus at the Rockne Memorial and Rolf's, she was not paid.
But working at Lula's has other benefits for Gadelhak as well. She also said that working there is fun, and similar to working on campus because the majority of customers are Notre Dame students or faculty due to Lula's close proximity to campus.
"It's great. You get to see everybody," she said.
For Saint Mary's senior Ruth Geis, her job at The Limited in University Park Mall is perfect for the opposite reason.
"It was nice to be able to get away from the whole school environment … It's something to do to get off campus," Geis said.
Blair finds a similar benefit working at Colorado Steakhouse.
"It's nice getting out of Notre Dame and meeting people," said Blair.
"Extra spending money" is another benefit her job offers, according to Geis, who is not a financial aid recipient and has never had an on campus job.
But working off campus does have some drawbacks, according to Blair.
One problem she has faced is that unlike her former on-campus bosses, the ones at the restaurant are not always understanding about her homework and tests.
"On campus, they're really cool if you have an exam the next day," Blair said.
Geis works primarily on weekends to try to avoid that problem.
"My classes are my priority, and then I work," she said.
Students not receiving financial aid can still work on campus, according to Swift. She said her office posts positions on its job board web site. Salaries of students not on financial aid are not considered work-study, and so their salaries must be fully funded by the University.
All News Stories for Wednesday, March 7, 2001
