What is the Preplacement Program?
What kinds of Work-Study jobs are available for preplacement?
What are the advantages of participating in the preplacement program?
How can I participate in the preplacement program?
Is there a deadline for submitting the preplacement questionnaire?
When will I know what job I am placed into?
What if I do not want to be preplaced?


What is the Preplacement Program?

The Work-Study Office places interested freshmen into jobs for the academic year prior to their arrival on campus.

When you complete and submit the online preplacement questionnaire we will try to place you into available jobs, based on your interests, skills and experience. If you are interested please read below...

Beginning June 2, 2008 incoming freshmen, who have been awarded work-study with their financial aid package, may submit an online questionnaire.   Questionnaires will be accepted through June 30, 2008.

Preplacement for Fall 2008 is complete.  If you did not participate in the Preplacament program, you can use the Work-Study Fall Job Directory. Fall positions will be posted beginning August 18 on the Student Link Work tab.  

back to top

What kinds of Work-Study jobs are available for preplacement?

A wide variety of Work-Study jobs, including, office, financial, computer, laboratory, technical, communications, arts, security, maintenance, dining services, athletics/recreation, research, tutoring, and human services. Preplacement positions have flexible schedules and will provide training.

Work-Study pay rates typically start between $8.00 and $8.25 per hour.

back to top

What are the advantages of participating in the preplacement program?

One less thing to do when you arrive on campus…
You won’t have to go on interviews for a Work-Study job in the fall, which tends to be a very busy time for incoming freshmen. The Work-Study staff will make all the arrangements for you… all you have to do is complete and submit the online preplacement questionnaire. Being preplaced also allows you to begin working the first day/week of classes.

back to top

How can I participate in the preplacement program?

1. If you haven’t already done so, obtain a BU login name and Kerberos password from www.bu.edu/computing/earlybird.
2. Review the "Preplacement Job Listings for Entering Freshmen" on the Student Link.  Job listings are available beginning June 2, 2008.
3. Complete the online preplacement questionnaire and electronically submit it to the Work-Study Office by June 30, 2008.
4. If you are attending Orientation, attend a brief Work-Study information session on Friday morning. Work-Study sessions are held every 10-15 minutes from 10 am to noon, in the George Sherman Union at 775 Commonwealth Avenue on the 5th floor. 
5. Complete a W-4 tax form and bring it with you to the Work-Study information session at Orientation or mail it to the Work-Study Office, 881 Commonwealth Avenue, 2nd floor, Boston, MA 02215.

6. Important: I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification Requirement).  All student employees are required to complete an I-9 as a condition of their employment.   If you are attending Orientation, you can complete your I-9 during the Work-Study session on Friday morning. To do so, please bring the following identification or set of identifications.

   Option 1: US Passport
   Option 2: Driver's License and Social Security Card
   Option 3: Driver's License and Certified Birth Certificate

   Please be advised the above documents must be original documents. Copies will not be accepted.
   For other identification options please contact the Work-Study Office at wsoffice@bu.edu or 617-353-3596.

Yes, the preplacement questionnaire must be submitted by June 30 in order for the Work-Study Office to preplace you. When you submit the questionnaire you will receive a confirmation email from the Work-Study Office that we have received your questionnaire.

Jobs will be placed on a “first come, first serve” basis. The sooner we receive your questionnaire the better chance you have of being placed into one of your specific requests.

back to top

You will receive a placement letter from the Work-Study Office in mid-August. It will include the job description, pay rate and supervisor’s name and contact information. Please contact your supervisor by the end of the first week of classes to set up your schedule.

back to top

You may look for a job on your own in the fall. The Fall Work-Study Job Directory will be available in mid-August on the Student Link. Pick out the jobs that interest you. Then call the contact for each position and set up an interview. You will need to pick up Work-Study hiring paperwork once you arrive on campus. In August, you will receive a notification in the mail with details regarding this process.

back to top