Urban Academy Work Study Program

LYDIA Urban Academy's annual tuition is $5,000 — very inexpensive by private school standards, but out of reach for many families whose students attend LUA. That's one reason the LUA Work-Study Program was born.

The Work-Study Program allows students to pay for part of their education through meaningful employment. Participating students are matched with companies (based on their skills and interests), where they work for eight hours a week in an entry-level position. Instead of paying the student a salary, employers pay a $3,500 fee to LYDIA Urban Academy. This fee is tax deductible as a business expense and is used to cover the cost of the student-employee's tuition. Families are asked to pay some or all of the remaining $1,500, depending on their financial situation.

Typical work-study positions include those involving skills such as basic data entry, answering phones, filing, typing and faxing, among others. Students come prepared to work, thanks to a course at LUA that explains the expectations of the business world, orients students to office equipment, teaches word processing and typing skills and helps students communicate effectively.

Participating students are 16-19 years old, have good computer skills and can provide their own transportation to and from work. Each student has a faculty advisor/job coach to help out if problems or concerns arise on the job.

This program offers a number of benefits to participating businesses, including:

• Reliable help at the entry level
• An opportunity to invest in a student's future
• And flexible staffing. A company may request one student or up to as many as four students a week on a rotating basis.

The LUA Work-Study Program is a great opportunity for companies and for the students they hire. Job placements are needed in Chicago and Rockford. To learn more, please contact Mary Gaskill by  or call (773) 653-2200.