Earn While You Learn: Work-Study & Community Service Jobs
The Federal Work-Study (FWS) program provides eligible undergraduate students with part-time jobs to help cover educational expenses. Unlike other types of aid, your FWS funds will not disburse at the beginning fo the semester, you must work to earn your award—gaining valuable experience while earning money for college.
Work-study is a need-based program, meaning eligibility is determined by your FAFSA, your Student Aid Index (SAI), and other factors like your Cost of Attendance (COA). Funds are limited.
- Awards are not guaranteed. Any changes to your enrollment and other types of financial aid could impact your eligibility. Funding is limited, and not all eligible students will receive work-study.
- Work-study earnings are not applied to your bill. You receive a paycheck based on the hours you work.
| WORK-STUDY VERSUS COMMUNITY SERVICE | |
|---|---|
| Federal Work-Study (FWS): | Jobs may be on-campus or off-campus in various roles, such as administrative work, research, or general student employment. |
| Federal Community Service Work-Study: | A subset of FWS where students work off-campus at nonprofit organizations or public agencies in roles that give back to the community. Examples include tutoring, literacy programs, and other service-oriented positions. |
How it works:
✔️ Accept your award to participate
✔️ Find a work-study placement through available on-campus or community service job listings
✔️ Earn up to the amount awarded, paid biweekly
✔️ Wages are based on hours worked—not applied directly to your bill
Have you been offered work-study? Explore opportunities below to help you find a job or community service opportunity!
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HOW TO APPLY
ACCESS MILLERSVILLE'S WORK-STUDY APPLICATION
Completing these steps ensures your work-study placement is official, so you can start earning!
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HOW WILL I BE PAID?
Remember—work-study earnings are not applied to your tuition bill—instead, you receive a paycheck to use for expenses like books, supplies, or personal costs.
Most students earn $9.00 per hour (Millersville’s minimum wage) and are paid every two weeks based on the hours they work.
Sign Up for Direct Deposit
To be paid, students must sign up for direct deposit to have their paycheck directly deposited into their bank account.
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WORK STUDY FORMS
Click on the link provided below to download the appropriate form(s).
2025-2026 STUDENT PAYROLL CALENDAR -
LIST OF CURRENT APPROVED ORGANIZATIONS
Looking for a meaningful way to gain experience while making a difference? Explore the opportunities below and find a role that matches your skills and passions!
Acorn Acres Wildlife Rehabilitation
Passionate about wildlife and animal care? Join Acorn Acres as an Animal Care/Rehabilitation Assistant and make a real impact! In this hands-on role, you'll:
- Clean enclosures, prepare diets & formulas, and hand-feed infant & juvenile patients
- Assist with patient intakes, medical treatments, and transporting animals to vet appointments & releases
- Engage with the public and assist with educational programming to raise awareness
Be a part of their mission to care for and rehabilitate animals in need!
Placement Address: 2100 Stone Mill Road, Lancaster, PA 17603 Contact Person: Betsy Shank Contact Email: info@AcornAcresWR.com Telephone: (717) 327-4811 Website: https://www.acornacreswr.com/
Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster (BGCL)
Are you looking for an opportunity to mentor, inspire, and empower youth while gaining real-world experience? The Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster is looking for passionate, energetic students for a variety of positions!
Available Positions:
- Activities Specialist – Lead STEM, arts, sports, and public health programs designed to engage and educate youth
- Mentor – Build one-on-one relationships with students and provide guidance & support
- Reading Tutor – Assist students in improving literacy skills and boosting confidence
- Sports Manager – Train, motivate, and track progress for youth athletes in a fun, supportive environment
Placement Address: Various Locations throughout Lancaster Contact Person: Karen Schloer Contact Email: kschloer@bgclanc.org Telephone: (717) 295-3474 Ex 4704 Website: https://bgclanc.org/
Bench Mark Program
Make a real difference and gain valuable experience as a mentor with the Bench Mark Program. In this role, you’ll:
- Provide homework help and tutoring
- Assist with job searching and resume writing
- Guide students through fitness training and goal setting
This is a great way to enrich your college experience while helping others.
Placement Address: 102 S Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 Contact Person: Witt Welch Contact Email: wittwelch@benchmarkprogram.org Telephone: (717) 339-9766 Website: https://www.benchmarkprogram.org/
Campus Cupboard/The HUB
Passionate about fighting food insecurity and gaining hands-on experience? The HUB is looking for dedicated interns to:
- Oversee the food pantry and help manage operations
- Communicate updates through news and social media
- Plan and execute impactful events on campus
This role offers a chance to make a tangible impact while boosting your professional skills and experience!
Placement Address: 121 North George Street, Millersville, PA 17551 Contact Person: Vicki Weber Contact Email: weber.vicki@gmail.com Telephone: (774) 313-7812 Website: https://www.hubmu.org/
Millersville University - McNairy Library & Learning Forum
Join the Francine G. McNairy Library as a student worker and be part of a vibrant, learner-centered community! Responsibilities include:
- Enjoy hands-on training and collaborate with fellow students while connecting people with ideas and information
- Acquire materials and manage library resources
- Digitize documents and support online research
- Provide customer service to students & faculty
Whether you're looking to enhance your skills or make a meaningful impact, this is your opportunity to grow and inspire. Apply now and be a vital part of the library family!
Placement Address: 9 North George Street, Millersville, PA, 17551 Contact Person: Ramie Millar, Ash Sherman, Gemma Bryant, and Kim Auger Contact Email: Ramie.Millar@millersville.edu, Ashley.Sherman@millersville.edu, Gemma.Bryant@millersville.edu, or Kimberly.Auger@millersville.edu Telephone: (717) 871-7110 Website: http://library.millersville.edu/home
The Mix—afterschool program
Placement Address: 520 North St., Lancaster, PA 17602 Contact Person: Marisol Santos Contact Email: msantos@themixlancaster.org Telephone: (774) 393-1523 Website: https://themixlancaster.org/ -
LIST OF PAST APPROVED ORGANIZATIONS
Any past Organization who wishes to participate again, should contact the Office of Financial Aid via email at Fa.Mail@millersville.edu to discuss participation options.
Aaron’s Acres
Placement Address: 1861 Charter Lane Suite 114, Lancaster, PA 17601 Website: https://aaronsacres.org/
All Football Club Lancaster Lions corporation
Looking to make a real impact while gaining valuable experience? Join the Lancaster Lions as a tutor and work directly with high school students to support their academic performance and personal growth. Responsibilities include:
- Providing academic support and tutoring in various subjects
- Helping students overcome language barriers
- Encouraging educational growth and confidence
They're looking for enthusiastic individuals to fill these positions at McCaskey High School and Lincoln Middle School. Get involved, make a difference, and build your resume!
Placement Address: 81 Longfellow Drive, Lancaster, PA 17602 Contact Person: Brian Ombiji Contact Email: B.ombiji@afcll.com Telephone: (717) 925-7401 Website: https://all-football-club-lancaster-lions-corporation.square.site/
Center for civic responsibility and leadership (CCRL)
Are you eager to make a difference in civic engagement? As a student worker at CCRL, you’ll develop vital skills while:
- Support voter registration drives and civic awareness campaigns
- Help fellow students navigate the voting process and engage in other outreach
- Network with government officials & media professionals
- Be part of a dynamic team shaping your community—apply today and empower your peers to make their voices heard!
Placement Address: 8 South George Street, Millersville, PA 17551 Contact Person: Dr. Laura Granruth Contact Email: Laura.Granruth@millersville .edu Telephone: (717) 871-7627 Website: https://www.millersville.edu/collegecenters/ccrl/
The edible classroom
Placement Address: 54 Penn Street, Washington Boro, PA 17557 Website: https://www.theedibleclassroom.org/
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING & cAREER MANAGEMENT (ELCM)
Placement Address: 12 South George Street, Millersville, PA 17551 Website: https://www.millersville.edu/elcm/
Lancaster Science Factory
Placement Address: 454 New Holland Ave, Lancaster, PA 17602 Website: https://www.lancastersciencefactory.org/
Lone Oak Animal-Assisted Therapeutic & Educational Services
Do you love working with animals and kids? Lone Oak is looking for enthusiastic:
- Animal Care Specialists – Feed, groom, and care for therapy animals
- Client Support Specialists – Assist licensed therapists in engaging with clients
If you're resourceful, eager to learn, and excited to be part of a community-focused environment, this is a perfect opportunity for you!
Placement Address: 230 Holtzman Road, Reinholds, PA 17569 Contact Person: Abigail Wilson and Heather Girvin Contact Email: Abigail.Wilson@millersville.edu and Heather.Girvin@millersville.edu Telephone: (717) 917-6110 Website: https://www.loneoaktherapeutic.org/
The school district of Lancaster
Placement Address: 251 S Prince St., Lancaster PA 17603 Website: https://sdlancaster.org/ -
Step-by-Step Guide: Landing Your Work-Study Job
Make sure you’re fully prepared! Download the Community Service & Work-Study Checklist for a complete guide on securing your position, completing HR background clearances, and finalizing your work-study placement. Some clearances take time, so get started on them ahead of time!