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work-study

American  
[wurk-stuhd-ee] / ˈwɜrkˈstʌd i /

noun

  1. a type of financial aid in which students are hired for part-time jobs, usually by their college, and often for work on campus.

    I was lucky enough to be a research assistant for work-study, unlike my roommate who had to work in the cafeteria.


adjective

  1. of or relating to such a job associated with a college or university.

work-study British  

noun

  1. an examination of ways of finding the most efficient method of doing a job, esp in terms of time and effort

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of work-study

First recorded in 1920–25


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The Dutch system creates the opportunity for lots of hands-on experiences through work-study pathways, employer partnerships, and state-supported apprenticeships.

From BBC ● Jun. 7, 2026

Stringent regulations for some visa applicants — notably those coming to the U.S. to study or for work-study programs and their dependents — have further clouded America’s image as a destination.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 27, 2026

At Dartmouth, we have replaced loans with a combination of scholarships, grants and work-study options in our financial-aid packages and now offer free tuition for families earning $175,000 or less.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 25, 2026

Parents and students often think that money from the work-study program comes on the first day of the semester.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 31, 2025

My financial aid package at Princeton required me to get a work-study job, and I ended up with a good one, getting hired as an assistant to the director of the TWC.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

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