Service doors are still open
NATASHA GRANT
News Writer
Coordinators of the Paid Community Service Program say poor advertising and program stipulations may have contributed to a lack of student interest.
The program, which allows students to do service and receive work-study pay, has roughly 20 local agencies, said Cortney Swift, senior financial aid administrator.
"Many students tutor children in reading and math," Swift said, adding that the Center for the Homeless and Robinson Community Learning Center employ the greatest number of Notre Dame students through the program.
Junior Adam Senior is one of the many students who work at the Robinson Learning Center as a tutor and said he feels rewarded by helping others.
"When I do it, I don't treat it as just tutoring. It's more than just doing homework," Senior said.
According to Swift, 40 positions remain available in the service program and the program is still looking for students who want to work in the community.
"We're always looking for people to fill positions," Swift said.
The two employment programs that Notre Dame offers are Federal Work-Study and Campus Employment.
Any student who fills out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is eligible for community service positions with some exceptions.
"Students who do not apply for financial aid or do not qualify for Federal Work-Study are eligible for Campus Employment as long as their total financial aid (loans, University scholarships, private scholarships, work eligibility, etc.) does not exceed their cost of attendance Swift said.
"For students who qualify for federal work-study, we include additional inserts to promote the community service program," Swift said.
There are similar guidelines for those who qualify for campus employment, with a few exceptions: federal work-study requires students to work at an off-campus community service agency, said Swift.
"With Federal Work-Study, a portion of the students' wages are funded with federal dollars," Swift said. "The non-federal share varies by agency, however, most agencies pay a quarter of student wages and the remaining 75 percent is paid with federal dollars." Swift said.
However, Swift said that if students tutor reading or math in local elementary schools, the federal government funds 100 percent of the students' wages.
Despite the monetary benefit, Swift sees the program as a "great experience for students to work outside of the campus."
"Volunteer work is a huge component of the Notre Dame experience and paid community service is a good way for students, who can't afford to volunteer, to work in service positions," she said.
All News Stories for Monday, September 30, 2002
