Work/Study program
Browse our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to see if your question has already been answered. If you can't find what you're looking for, please contact the Work/Study Administration team at wspost@yorku.ca.
- General
- Eligibility
- International Students
- Protected Persons
- Hiring
- Work/Study & LEAP Positions
- RAY Positions
What are the three Work/Study types?
- General Work/Study: Clerical, administrative and technical positions
- RAY: Assist professors with research projects
- Leadership, Engagement and Ambassadorship Program (LEAP): Student experience, leadership and mentorship positions
The Work/Study program runs twice every given year: once during Fall/Winter and once during Summer. Based on the term that you’re applying; eligibility requirements may differ.
You can download an eligibility checklist (Step 2. Planning and Eligibility – Work/Study Eligibility Criteria) based on the term and your citizenship status.
If you’re an international student, you are required to submit to Work/Study Administration (wspost@yorku.ca) a valid study permit that authorizes you to work on campus. Once Work/Study Administration receives your study permit, a manual assessment will be conducted, and your eligibility decision will be communicated via email.
If you’re a domestic student, you will not receive a formal confirmation from Work/Study Administration as hiring units and Recruitment and Onboarding Services are able to view your eligibility through the Student Information System. However, if you would like to receive a confirmation from Work/Study Administration, please send us an email at wspost@yorku.ca.
No, students are not permitted to hold two Work/Study positions at a time. This includes all General Work/Study, LEAP, and RAY positions.
Currently, graduate students are not eligible to participate in the Work/Study program.
Students are not eligible to participate in the Work/Study program if they are holding an Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA), LA&PS Dean’s Award for Research Excellence, or Lassonde Undergraduate Student Award within the same term.
Students who are on a co-op work term may be approved to participate in the Work/Study program; however, a petition form must be submitted and reviewed by Work/Study Administration. This petition requires you to submit a Co-operative Education and Work/Study Agreement Signature from both your respective Co-op Office and the Work/Study hiring manager.
Steps to submit a Work/Study Petition
- Get signatures from both your Co-op Office and Work/Study hiring manager to indicate that they both agree that you may do both roles
- Fill out the Work/Study Petition Form
- Select “Co-op Consideration” as the regulation you would like to petition
- Outline a plan for success to manage both the co-op and Work/Study positions
- Upload the Co-operative Education and Work/Study Agreement Signature form
- Wait for a decision by the Work/Study Administration
Please note that if a Co-op Work/Study Petition is granted, students, who are on co-op work terms, are only allowed to work up to 15 hours per week in the Work/Study position.
Students who are in or will be entering their last term and who do not have the minimum course load will be eligible to participate in the Work/Study program in the semester that they do not have the course load minimum. Student will need to submit a Work/Study Petition for the Work/Study Administration team to review and approve.
Steps to submit a Work/Study Petition
- Fill out the Work/Study Petition Form
- Select “Course Load Requirement Waiver for Last Semester” as the regulation you would like to petition
- Upload documentation to show that you’re in your last semester
- Wait for a decision by the Work/Study Administration
If you are graduating, you are not eligible to participate in the Work/Study program unless you are returning to undergraduate studies in the upcoming Fall/Winter session.
Yes, JD and BEd students are eligible to participate as long as they meet all other eligibility requirements.
No, only students enrolled in an undergraduate degree program is eligible to participate in the Work/Study Program. Students who are enrolled in a certificate program are considered as non-degree and therefore, are not eligible.
Yes, you are eligible to participate in the Work/Study program if you meet the following criteria:
Fall/Winter Terms:
- Study permit must include a condition stating authorization to work on and off campus.
- Full-time undergraduate student, which means taking 9 credits (6 credits for those who are registered with Student Accessibility Services) per term.
- Must have a valid study permit.
Note: You can be part-time during your final term, but a program petition must be submitted for review and approval.
Summer Term:
- Study permit must include a condition stating authorization to work on and off campus.
- Full-time undergraduate student, which means taking 9 credits (6 for those registered with Student Accessibility Services) during the summer term OR enrolled in at least 9 credits (6 credits for those who are registered with Student Accessibility Services) in the previous Winter term and will be returning back to full-time undergraduate studies (9 credits or 6 credits for those who are registered with Student Accessibility Services) in the upcoming Fall term.
- Must have a valid study permit.
Note: You can be part-time during your final term, but a program petition must be submitted for review and approval.
For more information, please consult with York International.
As an international student, you must have the following in order for you to work in Canada.
- Must have a valid study permit
- Study permit must include a condition stating authorization to work on and off campus
- The summer term must be a schedule break* according to the program, meaning it is optional*
- For most undergraduate programs, the summer term is optional. If unsure, students should consult with their academic advisor to confirm whether their summer term is optional or mandatory. They should also verify with the International Student Advisors at York regarding work eligibility.
- Must have been a full-time student before the summer the break and intend to return to full-time studies
Working Eligibility Scenarios for International Students Applicants:
Scenario 1: Dropping a Course Before the End of Winter Term
Situation: A student was enrolled in 9 credits during the Winter 2025 term but dropped a course before the term ended. They plan to return to full-time studies in the Fall term.
Can they work in the summer? No.
- Dropping a course before the term ends changes their status to part-time, making them ineligible to continue working for the remainder of the Winter term.
- They will also not be authorized to work in the Summer term unless they are enrolled full-time in the summer.
Scenario 2: Planning a Leave of Absence or Less Than 9 Credits in Fall
Situation: A student was full-time in Winter 2025 but plans to take a leave of absence in Fall or enroll in less than 9 credits. Fall is not their final term, and they will not take any summer courses.
Can they work in the summer? No.
- To work in the summer, they must either be returning to full-time studies in the Fall or be enrolled full-time in the summer.
Scenario 3: Full-Time in Winter, No Courses in Summer, Part-Time in Fall (Final Term)
Situation: A student was full-time in Winter 2025, will not take any courses in the summer, and plans to take part-time studies in Fall, which will be their final term.
Can they work in the summer? Yes.
- Since they were full-time before the summer and Fall is their final term, they are eligible to work during the summer.
Scenario 4: Summer Is the Final Term with Less Than 9 Credits
Situation: A student’s final term is the Summer term, and they are taking less than 9 credits.
Can they work in the summer? Yes.
Since summer is their final term, they are allowed to work regardless of credit load.
In addition to informing Student Financial Services about your tuition change, you will also need to inform Student Records as well. To apply to change your immigration status, please use the Request to Update Status in Canada form.
You will need to inform Student Records about your recent immigration update. To apply to change your immigration status, please use the Request to Update Status in Canada form.
Yes, you are eligible to work at the Markham Campus if you are a Keele or Glendon student. However, please note that for immigration and work authorization purposes, the Markham Campus is considered off campus for students enrolled at the Keele or Glendon campuses. Similarly, the Keele and Glendon campuses are considered off campus for international students enrolled at the Markham Campus. In contrast, the Keele and Glendon campuses are both considered on-campus for students enrolled at either of those campuses.
If you have any further questions regarding your eligibility to work off campus, please consult York International for guidance.
As a protected person, you are still required to submit a study permit for review and approval. In addition, you may also be required to submit a work permit for assessment as well.
You will need to inform Student Records about your recent immigration update. To apply to change your immigration status, please use the Request to Update Status in Canada form.
Work/Study Administration is not involved with the hiring process. So, please do not email Work/Study Administration. The employer will decide whether the student is the appropriate candidate for the position based on their eligibility and relevant qualifications. For next steps, please follow the instructions listed here (Step 4. Tracking and Interviewing).
An active/returning employee is currently employed at York U or have been within the last five (5) months. A new candidate is an applicant who has never been employed by York U or a former employee who has not been actively employed in the last five (5) months.
As an active/returning employee, you will need to log in through the Employee Career Portal and login with your Employee Passport York username and password.
As a new candidate, you will need to log in through the External Career Portal and login with your external account username you created and password.
All jobs are posted on the Co-op & Career Centre's job board (Experience York). While most positions are standardized across the University, on Experience York you will be able to see extended job details information from the hiring manager, which is very helpful when customizing your cover letter or resume. Experience York has great search filters that will also help you to refine your search to positions that better fit your skill set.
Once you are ready to apply, the posting will re-direct you over to York's Employment Portal (YU Hire) and you can submit your application.
To apply to RAY positions, you need do the following:
- Log into Experience York through the student tab and with your Student Passport York.
- On the left-hand side, find Career Centre
- Find RAY Postings (Research @ York)
- Click on View All Available Postings
- View the interested job posting and hit apply
All jobs are posted on the Co-op & Career Centre's job board (Experience York). While most positions are standardized across the University, on Experience York you will be able to see extended job details information from the hiring manager, which is very helpful when customizing your cover letter or resume. Experience York has great search filters that will also help you to refine your search to positions that better fit your skill set.
Once you are ready to apply, the posting will re-direct you over to York's Employment Portal (YU Hire) and you can submit your application.