Community Service Work Study Program

You're just a college student - what can you do about poverty, homelessness, hunger, inequality, violence, pollution and ignorance?

BELIEVE it or Not: You can make a difference.

Use your federal work-study allotment to work for a local nonprofit and earn $8 an hour doing something you believe in.

Here's How:

Administered by the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, the Community Work-Study Program is a federally funded initiative providing 50 paid student employment positions to qualified students who wish to work off campus. Vassar has many community partners, including schools, community centers, and not-for-profit agencies. These positions include varied responsibilities depending on site placement, ranging from ESL (English as Second Language) tutoring to youth development through media, to coordinating activities for senior citizens. Students are invited to reflect on their experiences at related events each semester, as well as through a written evaluation at the end of the academic year.

How To Apply:

First, visit the Student Employment Office to verify that you are eligible. If so, make an appointment with the Religious and Spiritual Life Fellow (luangle@vassar.edu) who will work with you to find your preferred off-campus site and make the placement.

Transportation:

CSWS students are encouraged to use the free Poughkeepsie shuttle service to get to their site placements. When necessary, students can make use of the contract between the college and local taxi companies to provide transportation to site placements for CSWS students. Other possible modes of transportation include walking, biking, carpooling or taking the Poughkeepsie City bus.

Hours:

Students are permitted to work 8-10 hours per week (depending on class year). Once placed with an organization, students are encouraged to continue working there each year they return to Vassar, as continuity fosters sustainable relationships.

Religious and Spiritual Life

Vassar College