Student Employment

About half of the students at Knox work on campus during the academic year. They work in almost every department and office of the College, including the academic departments, laboratories, administrative offices, libraries, dining services, custodial services, and the mailroom. A student with specialized skills or training may find a job that uses that skill, for example, as a writer or photographer in the communications office, or as a bike mechanic in the campus bike shop.

Student employment is a great way to gain hands-on, real life experience while also getting to know the college, meet staff and faculty, and help fellow students. These opportunities can help students gain and build upon relevant and transferable skills, develop time-management strategies, improve their ability to work in a team and build basic professional readiness, while also providing financial assistance. 

How to Apply for a Job

The Center for Career Success coordinates campus employment. The process of obtaining a campus job begins with students using the online Knox Handshake system. Here, the student may view available campus jobs and submit an application for the jobs they may be interested in.

For questions related to Handshake or how to apply to a job, please contact the Center for Career Success at careers@knox.edu.

Campus Jobs, Federal Work Study and Campus Employment Awards

Students who demonstrate financial need may have Federal Work Study or Campus Employment awards included in their financial aid package. These financial aid awards give students an opportunity to work on campus and earn a portion of the money needed to meet their college costs. A student with a work award is not guaranteed his/her earnings, but the student is given priority among the job applicants for most jobs on campus. The student may work and earn up to the amount of the work award.

The acceptance or refusal of a work award does not affect the grant assistance offered in a student's financial aid package. If a student accepts a work award, he/she is under no obligation to the College to work. A student may find that his/her course load and extracurricular activities limit the number of hours he/she is available to work. He/she may work fewer hours than the work award would permit.

For questions related to your financial aid, please contact the Office of Student Financial Services at financialservices@knox.edu.

Wages and Workloads

Student employees are paid minimum wage in the State of Illinois. The number of hours of work per week varies from job to job; however, the maximum number of hours a student may work is 15 hours per week. If a student holds more than one position, the combined hours may not exceed the 15 hour maximum.

If a student has a Federal Work Study award or a Campus Employment award, the award amount will determine the number of hours he/she will be allowed to work per week. To calculate the number of hours a student may work, divide the total work award by 30 weeks, then by the minimum wage rate.

A student's work schedule and the number of hours worked may vary from term to term because of his/her course load, class schedule, and extracurricular activities. The student must make work schedule arrangements with his/her supervisor each term.

Payroll Sign-Up

To complete the employment process the student must sign up for payroll.

First-time workers complete a Federal & State W-4 tax withholding form and a Form I-9. To complete the W-4 tax forms the student must provide his/her social security number and determine the number of allowances for withholding tax he/she wants to claim. Under the Immigration Reform Act the College is required to have every employee complete a Form I-9. To comply with this law a first-time employee must furnish original identification documents (not copies or pictures). The most commonly used identification documents are listed below and you will need either one item from List A or one from both List B and List C. You can also view the complete list of acceptable documents. The student must present these documents in person at the time he/she signs up for payroll. The documents must be originals, and if a birth certificate is used, it must be certified.

A) Passport

B) Driver's License or Knox ID

C) Social Security Card or Certified Birth Certificate

For additional information please visit the student payroll website. 

Paychecks

Student employees are paid every two weeks based on the number of hours worked and reported on their timecard. Paychecks are deposited directly to a student's bank account. Students who want to apply earnings against their student account (tuition, room, board, etc.) must make arrangements in advance with the Student Financial Services. Typically students use most of their earnings to pay for books and supplies or to cover incidental expenses.

If you have questions regarding payroll or paychecks including tax forms or eTIME, please contact the Business Office at arcurry@knox.edu

International Students

While you're a student at Knox, you are permitted to work on-campus from the day your program begins until you graduate. After finding a campus job through Handshake, you should complete payroll information at the Business Office. You will then need to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) at the Social Security Administration (SSA) in Galesburg before being allowed to work.

For questions please contact Alex Pia, Director of International Student Services, at 309-341-7538.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

In keeping with its commitment to equal rights since it was founded in 1837, Knox College particularly welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups. Knox College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, religion or religious affiliation, sexual orientation or preference, age, marital or family status, disability, veteran status, or other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law in admission, financial aid, employment, athletics, or any other aspect of its educational programs or activities. In addition, Knox College is prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and its accompanying regulations from so discriminating on the basis of sex. 

The College official responsible for coordinating compliance with this Notice of Non-Discrimination is the Director of Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance. Any inquiries regarding Title IX or the College's policies that prohibit discrimination and harassment should be directed to the Director of Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance identified below. The coordinator will be available to meet with or talk to students, staff, and faculty regarding issues relating to this Notice of Non-Discrimination and the College’s policies and procedures.

Director of Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance
Old Jail 12 | Campus Box K-209
337 South Cherry Street
Galesburg, IL 61401
Phone: 309-341-7751
Email: cultureofrespect@knox.edu

Inquiries about the application of Title IX to Knox may be referred to the Director of Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance, the United States Department of Education’s Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, or both. Individuals may also contact the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights for additional information.

Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education-Chicago Office
500 W Madison St., Suite 1475
Chicago, IL 60661-4544
Phone: 312-730-1560
Email: ocr@ed.gov

Inquiries regarding the College’s policies regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”), or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Section 504”) should be directed to either the Human Resources Manager or Director of Disability Support Services identified below.

For Employees:

Human Resources Manager
Shannon Lewis
Administrative Services Bldg - 112 | Campus Box K-200
368 South Prairie
Galesburg, IL 61401
Phone: 309-341-7474
Email: shlewis@knox.edu

For Students:

Director of Disability Support Services
Stephanie Grimes
Umbeck Science and Math Center E111 | Campus Box K183
340 South West Street
Phone: 309-341-7478
Email: sgrimes@knox.edu

Learn more about our policies and procedures.