The two main programs at Farmington are the Federal Work-Study program and the UMF Student Work Initiative program. Some departments on campus are also able to hire students using their own budgeted funding.
Federal Work-Study Program
Funded by the federal government and administered by UMF, Federal Work-Study Program is based on financial need as determined by information submitted on the FAFSA. Student eligibility is determined by the UMF Financial Aid Office. Funds are awarded to students with high financial need and who filed the FAFSA by the March 1 priority deadline.
Once approved for Federal Work-Study funds, you apply for these campus jobs through the UMF Financial Aid Office. Federal Work-Study recipients are not placed in a job by the Financial Aid Office, instead you must apply for jobs and competitively interview for positions — just like applying and interviewing for a job in the real world.
Once hired, you work at your job on a schedule agreed upon with your work supervisor. You enter your hours online daily via MainStreet, and every two weeks you’re paid for the hours you worked. Federal Work-study earnings are not applied directly to your bill — you receive a direct deposited paycheck for the hours you worked..
UMF Student Work Initiative Program — earn up to $2,500 per year
In 1998, UMF President Theo Kalikow created the UMF Student Work Initiative Program to bolster the interaction between students and faculty at UMF and to provide even more students with meaningful employment on campus. This campus-based work & learn program is not based on financial need (no FAFSA required). You may apply for Work Initiative positions each year you’re enrolled at UMF — in fact, many departments prefer to rehire the students who worked for them the previous year.
Student Work Initiative jobs pay up to $2,500 per year. As a rule, you’re limited to one Work Initiative job at a time and you must be enrolled at least Half-time (6 credits or more). Priority consideration is given to Full-time students (12 credits or more). Returning students are required to have and maintain a G.P.A. of 2.75 to participate in this program.
Many of the Work Initiative positions are integrated with academic majors and student life, allowing you to engage in research and special projects relating to personal interests and / or fields of study. Employment opportunities may be in any area of campus: research, service projects, lab assistants, learning to repair and rebuild laptop computers, working in the university’s marketing office, working for the Athletics Department and the Fitness & Recreation Center and more. All the offerings in the Student Work Initiative program provide specific learning skills, helping to build your resume and your after-graduation skills toolbox
Work Initiative Program students are not placed in a job by the Financial Aid Office, instead you must apply for jobs and competitively interview for positions — just like applying and interviewing for a job in the real world.
Once hired, you work at your job on a schedule agreed upon with your work supervisor. You enter your hours online daily via MainStreet, and every two weeks you’re paid for the hours you worked. Federal Work-study earnings are not applied directly to your bill — you receive a direct deposited paycheck for the hours you worked.
Contact Us
If you have questions any time during the financial aid process, please contact us. We look forward to helping you.
Financial Aid Office / Merrill Center Student Services
University of Maine at Farmington
224 Main Street
Merrill Hall
Farmington, Maine 04938
tel 207-778-7100
fax 207-778-7555
TYY (via Maine Relay Service) dial 711
umfaid@maine.edu