Manuel Castro knew in advance his work-study job as a gallery guard in Hopkins Hall was going to disappear during the recent spring break.

“I basically have to save money, so during the break I have something to live on,” said Castro, a freshman in mechanical engineering.

He is one of many Ohio State students who will have to cut corners over the next eight weeks.

Julianna Belyn, a financial aid counselor in the Office of Student Financial Aid, said there is a set amount of work-study money available every year and this year there was not enough to pay students to work over the winter or spring breaks.

Work-study students are sometimes able to work during breaks, she said, but that decision is made each year based on how quickly the work-study funds are being used up.

Belyn said work-study status is given to students based on financial need, which takes into account the expected family contribution of each student. The majority of work-study students are employed on campus in places such as dining halls, libraries and laboratories.

According to the Web site of the Office of Student Financial Aid, students “may be permitted to work between terms by the (Federal Work-Study) Office, if FWS funds are available, and if your employer has work for you to do. Your employer will be notified in advance of each break whether work will be permitted.”

Castro said he was told at the beginning of the year he would not be able to work during breaks, because the gallery would not be open.

He said not being able to work during breaks presents a problem for many work-study students who need this money to survive and have a hard time finding a job for a week or two during breaks.

Duwayne Turner, however, said losing his work-study job during spring break did not affect him as he knew in advance and was not planning to work anyway.

Turner, a sophomore in textiles and clothing, works at the front desk in the Office of Student Financial Aid.

The lesson Castro said he learned from his recent week of unemployment was to plan ahead and be prepared for next winter break if he finds himself out of work for a month.

Lindsay Betz can be reached at [email protected].