In recent years, NIU students in need of financial aid have taken out loans rather than participating in NIU’s work-study program, said Melody Amundsen, coordinator of NIU student employment.

Amundsen said that this year “only 30 percent of students are doing work-study rather than taking a loan.” She said that “at least 50 work-study jobs that are not filled.”

Jerry Augsburger, NIU student financial aid director, said, “for the past few years we have been having a problem finding enough students to employ.”

Amundsen said work-study is a federally funded program that provides employment for students by paying a large percentage of a student’s wages, and in turn enables an employer to hire more people. The federal government pays 80 percent of a student’s wages, while the employer only pays 20 percent, she said.

“Every job on campus could be work-study,” Augsburger said. He said that most work-study jobs on campus are in department offices, University Food Services, libraries, the Holmes Student Center, the Student Recreation Center and administrative offices.

Students who qualify for financial aid are eligible for a work-study program, said Amundsen. When students are sent their financial aid forms, they are asked if they want a guaranteed student loan—also called a Stafford loan—or work-study.

If the loan is chosen, students are sent the forms and a loan is worked out. When work-study is chosen, students contact the student employment office and then are interviewed for prospective jobs, she said.

“More students are taking loans rather than doing work-study. It is very easy to get a guaranteed student loan,” Amundsen said.

Students do not have to go to a bank to receive their loan checks, which Amundsen said “makes it (getting a student loan) much easier—they get the money up front,” in one sum.

Augsburger said, “It would be more beneficial down the road for the student to have worked instead of taking a loan.” The student would be getting valuable work experience while earning money.

“Unfortunately many students do not give the decision of taking a loan or doing work-study the consideration that they should,” said Augsburger. “Parents and students have to be informed of their options concerning work-study and guaranteed student loans” because this decision can make a difference later, he said.

Augsburger said there is a state-wide problem with university work-study programs.

Joni Jach, an NIU junior majoring in special education, said the reason she entered a work-study program is because she did not want to owe money when she graduated. Joni has worked at the student financial aid office as a clerk for more than a year.

Jach said when people come to the financial aid office window they often are not aware of the work-study option. She said she explains it to students in detail and names some benefits of work-study over taking out a loan.

Adrienne Arnold, a freshman political science major, said she decided that part work-study and part loan is good “so that you do not have a lot to pay back after graduation.

“I didn’t even know about the March 1 deadline to have the financial aid form turned in,” Arnold said. Students need to be more informed about financial aid in general, she said, suggesting that pamphlets be sent to freshmen explaining all areas of financial aid.