Procedure 4.5.1 - Student Employees

Part 1: Sources of Funding

Funding sources for student workers at Lake Superior College can include: Federal Work Study, State Work Study, grants, and college budget funds. The funding source is determined by the Financial Aid and Business Offices on a case-by-case basis.

All student workers are required to submit a FAFSA to determine eligibility for federal or state work study programs as part of the standard financial aid process. To receive need-based work study, students must demonstrate financial need, maintain satisfactory academic progress, be enrolled at least half-time (usually six credits or more) in a degree seeking program, and, for state work study, meet residency requirements. Eligibility may vary from year to year depending upon the financial information of the student’s family and the resources available to the student from other sources. A student who is eligible for need-based work study is notified on their financial aid award letter. A student may earn up to the amount printed on the award letter and may not exceed the amount unless approved by a Financial Aid Specialist.

Part 2: Student Worker Allocation

Student worker budgets and department hours allocated are performed annually as part of the college budgeting process. Departments interested in having student workers for the year should communicate the need to their administrator for review with the budget process.

Part 3: Hours

A student worker cannot work more than 20 hours per week without prior approval from the student worker coordinator. The student worker coordinator works with the Financial Aid Office and Business Office on requests for approvals over the allowed amount.

Student workers are not allowed to be scheduled or work overtime hours and are not entitled to holiday pay. Student workers are entitled to Minnesota Earned Safe and Sick Time (ESST) and Minnesota Paid Leave, where applicable by law.

If the supervisor approves time sheets listing more than 20 hours per week without prior approval, a warning notice will go out to both the supervisor and the student worker. If a student worker exceeds 20 work hours more than twice under the same supervisor, they may receive written notice that they are no longer eligible to continue as a student worker. Additionally, the supervisor may be notified that they are no longer permitted to supervise student workers.

Some student worker positions can be made available for up to 40 hours a week during the summer months.

Exceptions to these rules will be at the discretion of the President of Lake Superior College or designee.

Part 4: Pay

The rate of pay for all student workers is subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act as Amended. The rate of pay is set annually and approved by the President’s Cabinet for all student workers.

Student workers submit time sheets electronically which are approved by their supervisor. Student workers are paid bi-weekly.

Part 5: Student Work Study Allocation

The student’s work study allocation, as shown on the award letter, is valid during the academic year. This is the maximum eligibility and may not be exceeded, under any circumstances, without prior approval by the Financial Aid Office. Amount of loans and other financial aid will affect the work study award, which will impact the number of hours the student can work.

Part 6: Summer Employment

Students interested in summer student worker positions will need to work with the Business and Financial Aid offices to determine eligibility.

Part 7: Hiring Requirements

To promote equitable hiring practices, all student worker positions must be hired using the college specified method. Supervisors are highly encouraged to screen and interview candidates before hiring the position.

Prior to starting work, the Business Office must have;

  • the student worker contract,
  • a copy of the student’s financial aid award letter,
  • a signed confidentiality form,
  • student’s W-4,
  • and student’s I-9.

Supervisors are notified by email when the student paperwork is completed, and the student can begin work. Allowing students to work prior to notification is grounds for removal of ability to supervise student workers.

Part 8: Resignation

The student worker may resign or change employment with notice to the supervisor at least one week in advance. If supervisor and student worker agree, resignation may be immediate. The student must complete a new student employment contract when changing jobs within the college.

Part 9: Termination and Termination Appeals

A supervisor may reduce work hours or end a student’s employment if the workload within the department decreases such that the student worker is no longer needed.

The supervisor may terminate a student worker’s employment after sufficient warning and due written notice. Sufficient warning means at least one meeting or written notice in which the student is notified that termination of employment is probable if no improvement is shown. Due notice refers to at least one week. It is expected and desired that an effort be made to provide opportunity for continuation.

Immediate dismissal may occur when, in the judgment of the supervisor or departmental administrator, continuation of employment would be damaging to the nature of operation for the individual department or the college at large. Such dismissal requires written notice to the student. All student employment termination requires notification to the Business Office and to the Financial Aid Office.

The following are grounds for disciplinary action and/or termination of the student worker position:

  1. Tardiness
  2. Unexcused absences
  3. Under the influence of alcohol or other drugs while on duty
  4. Violation of LSC and department or agency regulations, policies, and rules
  5. Violation of LSC Student Code of Conduct or LSC employee conduct standards.
  6. Violation of local, state or federal laws
  7. Unacceptable job performance

If the student wishes to contest the termination, they may choose to contact the supervisor of their immediate supervisor for the department under which the student is employed.

Part 10: Satisfactory Academic Progress

To continue employment, the student worker must maintain satisfactory academic progress. The student worker may not work if they have been suspended for unsatisfactory academic performance.

If the student worker withdraws from all classes or drops below half-time enrollment (6 credits) during the semester, the student is immediately ineligible for a student worker position. If a student re-enrolls at 6 credits or above during the same semester, the student is allowed to apply for a student worker position or return to the previous position, if available and the supervisor approves. Students who return to school following a break in attendance of a semester or more, must re-apply for employment on campus.

Each student worker will be supervised by a college employee. Student workers may not supervise other student workers. A supervisor need not be present at all times the student is working.

Related Documents

History

Date Implemented: October 30, 2012

Date Updated: June 30, 2014; November, 2025

President's Signature Date: December 4, 2025

President's Signature