Despite limiting new work-study hires, NIU’s work-study budget is not “out of control,” said Steve Cunningham, associate vice president for administration and human resources.

Work-study is a federal program that allows students to work part-time to help fund their college education, said Kathleen Brunson, director of Student Financial Aid, which oversees the work-study program.

Shortly before Winter Break, officials realized work-study funds were expending at a rate that would cause the money to run out by the year’s end, Cunningham said.

These steps included limiting “new work-study appointments,” he said, but retaining current employees.

“There’s a freeze on hiring until we can get a handle on expenditures,” Brunson said.

Although Brunson would not comment on the fiscal year 2005 work-study budget, Cunningham expects it is “several million dollars.”

Last year, work-study spent about $1 million and employed 723 students.

Brunson said she expects this year’s employment figures to be less than last year.

“[This is because of] the increase in minimum wage and changes to the state funding across the nation,” she said.

The federal government determines the amount of money available for work-study, said Bob Albanese, associate vice president for Finance and Facilities.

“Financial aid tries to maximize its [money] so we can accommodate many students,” he said.

The money allocated to work-study typically pays student wages for office jobs across campus and various programs, such as America Reads, Brunson said.

In the America Reads program, NIU students go to elementary schools to tutor students in math and reading; the program is a federal initiative started under the Clinton administration.

Icey Tarver, a senior corporate communication major, works five days a week in the Student Financial Aid Office and finds her job fits well with her major.

“It’s very helpful for students going into the business field,” she said.

Madonna Nash, a senior community health promotion major, has worked in the work-study program for about three years.

Although the budgetary restrictions have not affected the number of hours she works, she is not able to reap any benefits from the recent minimum wage increase. A raise for Nash could not fit into the budget.

“It’s upsetting because it was expected, but it’s not a disaster,” she said. “I still have a job.”