NEW PROGRAM UPDATES 2026-2027
Pay rates for Work Study students: New Student Assistant pay rates will apply to new Work Study students hired in the coming terms.
Subsidy: For the Academic Year 2026-2027, the subsidies per position remain $3,000 per semester. The Work Study positions may be allocated across the Fall 2026, Spring 2027, and Summer 2027 terms. If the quota is not filled in Fall, another posting phase will occur in Spring. Any unfilled positions remaining in Spring may be allocated to Summer extensions.
*Due to limited funding, we can only allow a KPU Faculty or Department to hire a maximum of 3 Work Study positions per semester.
Work Study
The Work Study program offers part-time job opportunities for full-time KPU students. The program provides financial assistance and career-related employment experience to students with demonstrated financial needs. In recognizing that students' first commitment is to their studies, these positions are flexible and offer professional experience for students with faculty or staff in academic or administrative units. Work Study awards are adjudicated by the Student Awards and Financial Assistance (SAFA) while work study placements are arranged through the Career Development Centre.
KPU faculty and staff can hire students who are eligible for the program as per the specific student criteria and receive subsidies from SAFA.
Guidelines to Post and Hire
Guidelines on how to post and hire students, including links to the hiring forms
Position Duration
| Contract Lenght | Fall Hiring – Contract Duration | Spring Hiring – Contract Duration | Summer Extension – Contract Duration |
| 1-semester contract | September 2026 to December 23, 2026 | January 2027 to *March 31, 2027 | **May 2027 to August 31, 2027 |
| 2-semester contract | September 2026 to *March 31, 2027 |
*Spring: contract ends on March 31 due to the fiscal year end.
**Summer Extension: No new hiring will take place for the Summer work term. Summer extension is not guaranteed, and is subject to quota availability.
Deadline for Hiring or Contract Extension
Fall 2026: September 18, 2026 (All hiring paperwork must be submitted by October 2, 2026)
Spring 2027: January 29, 2027 (All hiring paperwork must be submitted by February 12, 2027)
*Summer 2027: Submit extension form by March 19, 2027
*Summer extension is not guaranteed, and is subject to quota availability.
Summer Extension
For contracts ending on March 31, 2027, hiring managers who wish to extend their current Work Study student for the Summer term must submit a Summer Extension Form by March 19, 2027. Please note that no new hiring will take place for the summer work term. Summer extension is not guaranteed, and is subject to quota availability.
Funding for Work Study Positions
- 1-semester contract (maximum subsidy of 1x $3000)
- 2-semester contract (maximum subsidy of 2x $3000)
- 2-semester contract + Summer (1-semester) extension (maximum subsidy of 3x $3000)
Subsidy per work term remains $3000 per semester. Any funds not used will be clawed back at the end of the semester, while any overages from the $3000 subsidy will be paid for by the department employing the Work Study student.
Criteria for Students to Apply
Student must …
- Be a domestic student
- Be enrolled in full-time studies during Fall and Spring semesters (9 credits or more) during the work term (Students extended through summer are required to be enrolled in a minimum of 3 credits only)*
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0
- Demonstrate financial need
*Students with a documented permanent disability through StudentAid BC (as assessed through their grant/loan application) are eligible to participate in Work-Study at a reduced course load (minimum 6.0 credit hours, i.e. 40%).
Pay Rates
Rate of pay effective on June 1st, 2026 B.C. minimum wage rate $18.25. Students with one (1) year of post-secondary education will receive a base rate plus 8% ($19.71); students with a post-secondary degree or diploma will receive a base rate plus 21% ($22.08) (per LOU1).
Maximum Student Work Hours Per Week
A maximum of 15 hours per week.
Important Dates and Deadlines
Timeline | Dates and Deadlines | Notes |
| Work Study Opens for Fall 2026 | August 4, 2026 | Employers can post Work Study positions in Career Connection and begin the hiring process. |
| Last day to hire for Fall 2026 | September 18, 2026 | Employers must send the name and student number of the student being hired. |
| Last day to submit hiring paperwork for Fall 2026 | October 2, 2026 | All hiring paperwork must be completed and emailed to the Career Development Centre at careers@kpu.ca |
| Work Study hiring for Spring 2027 | November 6, 2026 | Hiring will only open if the quota has not been met for the Fall semester. |
| Last day to hire for Spring 2027 | January 29, 2027 | Employers must send the name and student number of the student being hired. |
| Last day to submit hiring paperwork for Spring 2027 | February 12, 2027 | All hiring paperwork must be completed and emailed to the Career Development Centre at careers@kpu.ca |
| Work Study extension for Summer 2027 | February 23, 2027 | Extension will only open if the quota has not been met for the Spring semester. No new hires will be made for the Summer semester. However, for contracts ending on March 31, 2027, hiring managers may extend their current Work Study student for the Summer semester. |
| Last day to submit extension for Summer 2027 | March 19, 2027 | The Summer Extension form must be completed and emailed to the Career Development Centre at careers@kpu.ca |
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I request a Work Study student assistant?
Using the dates listed above, once the Work Study program opens, interested departments and faculty can request a Work Study student from the Career Development Centre.
How do I post a Work Study student assistant position in Career Connection?
Register:
- Go to the Career Connection login page.
- Select Sign Up, fill out the form, and click Submit.
- Allow up to 1–2 business days for approval of your registration. Check your inbox for an email from Career Connection with login instructions. Follow the prompts to activate your account and Set Your Password.
- If you have forgotten your password, select Forgot Password on the login page. You can also email careers@kpu.ca to request a new password.
Post the Job:
- Log in to Career Connection.
- To post your job, select the Job Posting tab and click the Add New button.
- When completing the form, under Position Type, be sure to select Work Study.
- Under Resume Receipt (how students apply), select Accumulate Online.
- Within the posting description, please indicate the contract length of 1-semester, 2-semester or 2-semester with a possibility of extension for Summer.
Please note that positions are pending until the Career Development Centre receives the approved BCGEU Student Assistant Job Description. After approval, positions are posted for 30 days or until the position is filled.
How many Work Study student assistants can each KPU Faculty or department hire per semester?
Due to limited funding, each KPU Faculty or department can hire a maximum of 3 Work Study student assistants per term.
How long does it take for a student to start working after the hiring forms are submitted?
Please allow up to two weeks for the hiring paperwork to be processed before the student can start working.
How do I calculate the maximum number of hours a Work Study student assistant can work without exceeding the available funding?
Are background and reference checks required for the Work Study Program?
Yes, background and reference checks are mandatory for the Work Study Program. Learn more about it on HR SharePoint.
What is the earliest date a Work Study student assistant can start working each semester?
- Fall 2026: September 1, 2026
- Spring 2027: January 4, 2027
- Summer 2027: May 3, 2027
Can a Work Study student assistant continue working after March 31?
For contracts ending on March 31, 2027, hiring managers who wish to extend their current Work Study student for the Summer must submit a Summer Extension Form by March 19, 2027. Please note that no new hiring will take place for the Summer work term. Summer extension is not guaranteed, and it’s subject to quota availability.
Can a Work Study student assistant work during academic breaks?
Yes. A Work Study student assistant can work during academic breaks until the end date specified in their contract. However, they cannot work during holiday closures or designated holiday breaks.
Does a student need to be enrolled full-time in the summer semester to be eligible to work during the summer?
Students extended through Summer are required to be enrolled in a minimum of 3 credits only.
Can I extend a Work Study student assistant’s contract into the next academic year?
No. Work Study contracts cannot be extended into the next academic year. The student must submit a new Work Study Student Eligibility Form to Student Awards and Financial Assistance (SAFA) for the upcoming academic year. If the student is eligible, the hiring manager should contact the Career Development Centre at careers@kpu.ca when the program opens to inquire about available positions.
For program timelines, please refer to Important Dates and Deadlines.
When is Work Study funding transferred to my budget code?
SAFA will transfer the $3,000 into the specified budget code account during each semester at the end of the term. For the Spring term, with the fiscal year ending March 31, funds will be distributed prior to the end of the fiscal year. Any funds not used will be clawed back at the end of the semester, while any overages from the $3,000 subsidy will be paid for by the department employing the Work Study student.
Contact Us
For general inquiries about the program and the hiring process:
Career Development Centre
604-599-2465
careers@kpu.ca
For inquiries about funding for the Work Study program and student eligibility:
Student Awards & Financial Assistance
604-599-2700
finaid@kpu.ca