FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The WCC helps advance a very pragmatic approach – the “comprehensive work – learning – service program.” The WCC supports member institutions in educating promising students, creating valuable work experiences and a service ethic, while helping students to graduate with less debt.

The Work Colleges Consortium (WCC) strives to ensure that member schools are in compliance with the federal regulations. To accomplish this, the WCC (a) conducts research across the institutions to help assess student work-learning and service outcomes; (b) shares best practices; and (c) supports ongoing activities among the colleges in the areas of work-learning-service. The WCC office serves as the liaison to both the U.S. Department of Education and Congressional delegations where warranted. The WCC continues to make every effort to extend our expertise to others.

The Consortium believes that the Work College model provides an unprecedented educational experience for students that should be emulated. The majority of Work College students are first generation college participants. Students graduate with a valued degree, real work experience, and a strong sense of how their work and service contribute to their communities. They leave college with heightened self-awareness and an understanding of their place in the world and the important contributions they can make as individuals.

The WCC member colleges operate independently, but all are purpose-driven. The work-learning-service component is intentional at the Work Colleges. Student work is evaluated, assessed, and supported by trained supervisors and a Dean of Work. Intentional steps are taken to help students manage and balance academics, work, and service activities.

The most notable difference is work. All resident students at work colleges are required to work every semester for all four years of enrollment. Students work limited hours and gain valuable hands-on work experience while working alongside other students and the faculty and staff work supervisors. The work program on each campus is distinctive and designed to meet campus operational needs and work assignments complement relevant coursework, if possible. Service to campus and the broader community is also integral to the WCC approach. There are hundreds of different campus positions, from food service to the president’s office, from information systems services to finance and accounting, from being a teaching assistant (TA) to working on the college farm. Work College students do it all and they are essential to the daily operations of each campus. Importantly, through the work program, students gain valuable work experience and earn money helping to reduce the cost of tuition. Several colleges provide work / labor grants that fully cover the cost of tuition.

While enhancing the collegiate experience, work colleges help reduce student debt. And student Work Programs excel at cultivating career-ready qualities like responsibility and work ethic. Work assignments can support and complement a student’s field of study. Work positions also introduce students to new opportunities including student-powered industries involving crafts, hospitality, and sustainable agriculture. Students learn there is value in all types of work.

Yes. Colleges who meet the federal guidelines may apply to the U.S. Department of Education for consideration.

Federal Regulations
§675.43 Purpose

The purpose of the Work-Colleges program is to recognize, encourage, and promote the use of comprehensive work-learning-service programs as a valuable educational approach when it is an integral part of the institution’s educational program and a part of a financial plan that decreases reliance on grants and loans and to encourage students to participate in community service activities.

All resident students including at least one-half of all students enrolled on a full-time basis are required to participate in a comprehensive work-learning-service program for enrollment and graduation.

The college must provide programmatic leadership by college personnel for the comprehensive work-learning-service-program that is comparable to a traditional academic program. Work Colleges have “Work Deans.”

Work-learning-service is a stated part of the institution’s educational philosophy and program.

There are consequences for non-performance or failure in the work-learning-service program that parallel consequences for non-performance in a regular academic program.

No. Member colleges’ work programs have a rich history—some with more than 100 years of a proven track record. Several work colleges were founded as a way to help provide an education to those students who did not have the means or access to attend school. At other work colleges – work and service were fundamental to their beliefs and operations and woven into their mission and culture from the beginning.

Working on campus in a supportive environment has been shown to have a positive effect on college persistence and degree completion. Students must work a minimum of five hours per week or at least 80 hours per semester. Most students average between 6 and 15 hours per week depending on which work college they attend. Some students can work up to 20 hours per week with special permission, depending on the requirements of which college they attend.

Each college has a structure for work that parallels the academic structure, including a Dean of Work (as required by federal regulations) who oversees the entire work program. Students have assigned work positions with supervisors who oversee their day-to-day tasks and help mentor and evaluate performance. Supervisors include faculty, staff and student managers who receive specific management training. Blackburn College’s work program is completely student-managed.

Work Colleges share the goal of helping students reduce college debt upon graduation. Wages are considered “self-help payments.” Wages at most work colleges are applied directly to the cost of tuition. Students contribute financially to the cost of their education through participation in the work program. Some colleges provide a “grant” to cover the cost of tuition, while other colleges provide reduced tuition to students. All work colleges comply with appropriate state and federal employment laws.

Because work is mandatory for all resident students and because and all work is compensated (work helps to offset or fully cover tuition), operating a work college is not inexpensive. Just like employees in any work position, the students must work the required hours in order to be paid appropriately and those who work over the required number of hours must be compensated. Therefore, student hours are carefully tracked.