Triad Business Daily

What does the minimum wage increase mean for work studies?

As a work-study in college, I received the federal minimum wage ($5.15/hour). I saw that the minimum wage increase was passed by Congress; if it goes all the way through, I want to know if I (and my fellow work studies) will receive a raise per hour. My pay does come from a grant, but I could work less and draw the same amount of money if my wage per hour was increased.

Public Comments

1. The new minimum wage will not apply to you, but generally colleges and universities try to pay the minimum wage--but they don't have to do so. If your school does so, it will have to be phased in gradually. All governments and institutions operate under a yearly budget. If your wage changes, don't expect it until the new fiscal year at the soonest.
2. It should mean that your wage per hour will increase. However since your income is derived from a grant, it may become necessary to cut back your hours, until there is an adjustment made in the grant.
3. Raising the minimum wage causes employers to eliminate jobs, so there will probably be less of that type of positions available.