Money Management

Employment

On Campus

More than two thousand students are employed on campus each year; nearly every department hires them. About 65 percent of the student employees work in the departments listed below; they are probably the best places to start your search for campus employment. The remaining 35 percent are spread throughout approximately fifty other departments.

Other Options

Check with your academic department and professors for opportunities (office clerical assistants, laboratory assistants, graders, computer lab consultants), as well as the learning centers.

College Work-Study Program

Coordinated through Financial Aid, work-study awards are based on financial need and comprise part of your financial assistance. Participants must be US citizens or permanent residents. Awards are made for an average of eight hours per week for fourteen weeks each semester. To be eligible, you must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Paper forms are available from Financial Aid, located on the first floor of the Administration Building. Electronic forms can be filed on the Web.

University Career Center

Job postings for positions on and off campus are on this website: www.career.mtu.edu.

Off-Campus Employment

To find jobs off campus, check the classified ads in the local newspaper or contact businesses directly. You may also register at the Michigan Works Service Center (482-6916, 902 Razorback Drive, Houghton) (www.michworks.org).

Managing your money

There comes a time in everyone's life when their piggy bank no longer meets their financial needs. That time has probably arrived for you. A number of banks and credit unions in the surrounding area would be happy to help you manage your money. In addition, you can use your Tech Express ID card as an on-campus-only debit card.

Tech Express-Express Cash

You can use your ID card at on-campus merchants. The Campus Bookstore, University Images, MUB Food Mall, Campus Café, Aftermath Café, Tech Adventures Rental Center, Ice Arena Concessions, Mont Ripley Ski Hill, most vending machines, and all campus ticket offices accept Express Cash as payment. You and your parents can add value and view your balance and transactions online, as well as report your card lost or stolen. www.techexpress.mtu.edu.

While Express Cash can’t be used off campus, you and your parents always know it’s being used for your needs on campus. It’s fast, convenient, and a lot safer than carrying cash. See the Tech Express Service Center for more information and proper forms.

Choosing a Bank

Feel free to shop around. In addition to a convenient location, you'll probably want to compare hours of operation, ATM locations, services, interest, and fees.

What You'll Need

To open an account, most banks require some sort of official picture ID, usually a driver’s license or passport, as well as your birth date and social security number. If you are a minor, they may ask you for a parent’s or guardian’s telephone number and address. Also, for security purposes, they might ask for your mother’s maiden name and/or your birthplace.

Choosing a Service

Debit cards are a popular and convenient way to manage your money. As with paper checks,they require that you monitor your spending so you do not incur overdraft charges. Savings accounts are particularly useful if you won’t be using your money right away. But if you expect to be making frequent withdrawals, they may not be meet your needs. If you plan to open a savings account, ask about minimum balances, interest rates, and the number of free monthly transactions.