World Cup likely boosted blowout U.S., Canada jobs numbers
Strong hiring in leisure and hospitality helped fuel a surge in hiring in the U.S. and Canada last month as the two nations geared up to host the FIFA World Cup starting next week.
What Is Federal Work-Study and How Much Does It Pay for College?
Work study is a form of financial aid that can allow you to earn money on campus to pay for your college expenses. However, we like to call work study “fake aid”, because it’s not that helpful to actually pay for college expenses – and you’ll see why below.
Working part-time during your college career is a great way to cover your living expenses, avoid some amount of student loan debt, and gain skills as an undergraduate.
One way to keep a part-time job during your undergraduate, graduate, or professional school career is through the Federal Work-Study program. The Federal Work-Study program provides part-time jobs to students demonstrating financial need.
The income from Federal Work-Study jobs is taxable, but is exempt from Social Security taxes (known as FICA). Here’s what you need to know about the Federal Work-Study program.
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What Is the Work-Study Program?
The Federal Work-Study program is a form of Federal financial aid for college in the United States. Under the work-study program, eligible students can earn income in “work-study”-specific jobs.
The amount of “work-study” aid you’re eligible for will be listed in your financial aid award letter. There’s no minimum or maximum amount of “work-study” that you’ll see in your financial aid letter.
The exact amount will depend on your school’s work-study program. Usually, the eligible amount is anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 per year.
However, you’re not guaranteed to get the full amount of money listed in the award letter. Instead, you must earn the money through part-time work. And because of this, you cannot necessarily count on the money, and you won’t have the money to pay for college before school starts and when mandatory expenses are due.
Most work-study jobs tend to be on-campus positions like working at the library circulation desk, doing custodial services, or working in a food service position. However, depending on your school’s program, work-study could include any number of part-time jobs including roles with public service organizations, or working in organizations related to your field of study.
The money from a work-study job generally “feels” more like money from any other job. Usually, the school or your employer will send you a check every two weeks (or once a month) based on the number of hours you worked. Cover an extra shift? You’ll see a bigger paycheck.
Alert: Some colleges have become notorious for awarding more work study positions than they have available. This means that students won’t even have a chance to earn work study aid.
Who Is Eligible for a Work-Study Job?
To be eligible for a work-study job, you must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). After you complete the application, you’ll receive a letter explaining the types of aid you’re eligible for. In many cases, students with financial need will see a line item for “work-study.”
But having a work-study award doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get a work-study job. You must apply for a work-study job and actually do the work associated with it.
Plus, you need to typically apply for the FAFSA early to be eligible. Make sure you’re on top of your state’s FAFSA deadlines and apply early!
There is always a handful of highly coveted work-study positions where you’re essentially paid to do your schoolwork or surf the internet. However, that type of job isn’t easy to come by in the work-study world. For the most part, the jobs are hard work.
How Much Does a Work-Study Job Pay?
The amount you earn from a work-study job tends to be on par with what anyone would earn for similar work. Depending on where you live in the country, the job could pay as little as $7.25 per hour (the current Federal minimum wage) to $22 per hour or more in tight labor markets or in states with higher minimum wage.
For a lower-stress, part-time job, work-study pay tends to be decent. However, it won’t make you rich. And, you won’t see big raises from being a high performer.
Because the hourly rates from work-study jobs clock in at “fine,” I encourage college students to consider whether they can supplement their work-study income by applying for scholarships or finding higher-paying work such as performing music in an ensemble, offering private lessons, car-detailing, or reffing sports. Even sporadic income from these sources can make the difference between putting car insurance payments on a credit card and staying solvent in college.
How Is Work-Study Income Paid
A lot of families don’t realize that work-study jobs issue a paycheck to the student just like a normal job. The work-study income doesn’t have to be paid to the college, and it is NOT paid directly. Instead, the student will simply be issued a paycheck every two weeks.
The student can the opt to use the funds to pay down any school expenses, or they can use the funds however they want – from food and fun, to anything else.
With this in mind, families that are counting on work-study aid to offset college costs may want to think twice. Realize that all the money may not actually be used to pay for college.
Is Income from My Work-Study Job Taxable?
Income from work-study jobs is taxable. However, you will avoid the 7.3% FICA taxes which are normally removed for Social Security and Medicare coverage.
If you’re a relatively low earner, you should expect to see most of your income in your work-study paycheck. Enjoy that full paycheck now, because in a few years, you’ll hopefully be paying lots of taxes (thanks to your high earnings rate).
Should I Take a Work-Study Job or Try a Different Part-Time Job?
If you’re eligible for work-study, I would urge you to find the best work-study job that you can. Use “best” to mean whatever you want it to mean. In college, I took a lower-paying job that allowed me to complete homework during my office hours. This meant I had plenty of time for cross-country and track, and even an occasional side hustle.
I had a friend who worked at a local Boys & Girls Clubs of America location which led directly to an internship and a continued career in the non-profit sector.
Most of the time, income from work-study jobs is fairly steady. You can expect to work about the same number of hours week in and week out. In general, most college students should easily handle their studies and a work-study job.
The downside of work-study jobs is the cap on earnings. If you’re motivated to earn money, you are likely to find better opportunities outside of the work-study program.
Often, “middle-skill” jobs such as working in a call center, waiting tables, working as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or emergency medic, tutoring, or tending a bar pay more than entry-level jobs. Particularly motivated students may earn even more by freelancing or starting a business.
For students without reliable transportation, an on-campus work-study job can provide a stable income without raising costs. However, if you’ve got a car, or you live in a city with solid public transit or safe biking options, a higher earning option may be better for you.
Bottom Line
Work-study jobs are a great way to earn money while attending school. But they aren’t your only option. If you’re eligible for work-study, take advantage of the opportunity to work, but keep your eyes out for earning opportunities that will allow you to earn more, learn more, or develop better skills.
Editor: Clint Proctor
Reviewed by: Robert Farrington
The post What Is Federal Work-Study and How Much Does It Pay for College? appeared first on The College Investor.
Markets face triple threat of Iran war reigniting, AI bubble popping, and Fed rates rising
Investors should buckle up for a bumpy ride as multiple risks have suddenly converged to test what looked like an unstoppable stock rally.
In just the last few days, the Iran war started heating up again, the AI boom showed signs of a bubble about to burst, and strong jobs data made rate hikes from the Federal Reserve more likely.
Add to that mix SpaceX’s upcoming IPO, which could draw so much demand that investors rushing to raise cash to buy shares could unleash a wave of selling that ripples through the stock market.
Futures tied to the Dow Jones industrial average fell 86 points, or 0.17%. S&P 500 futures were down 0.19%, and Nasdaq futures lost 0.16%.
U.S. oil futures rose 2.6% to $92.88 a barrel, while Brent crude climbed 2.8% to $95.67. Gold fell 0.5% to $4,342 per ounce.
The U.S. dollar was up 0.03% against the euro and up 0.02% against the yen. The yield on the 10-year Treasury was flat at 4.532%.
On Sunday, Iran launched missiles at Israel, marking the first such attack since a ceasefire was reached in early April. That came after Israel continued bombing Lebanon in defiance of Washington’s request days ago to stand down.
While talks to extend the ceasefire have stalled, President Donald Trump scrambled to avoid reigniting the war by distancing the U.S. from the Israeli attacks, which were in retaliation against Hezbollah missiles, and by telling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to strike back at Iran.
Before the latest salvos, tensions in the Persian Gulf had already been escalating as the U.S. and Iran increasingly exchange fire, with both sides trying to establish their own shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite the skirmishes, Wall Street assumed all-out war would not return, especially after a report said Trump would avoid going that route unless more U.S. troops were killed.
Tech selloff
On Friday, tech stocks led a market bloodbath after the Labor Department’s monthly jobs report showed employers added a net 172,000 jobs last month, nearly double Wall Street forecasts.
Prior months were also revised sharply higher, indicating the labor market was much more resilient than previously thought in the face of higher oil prices caused by the Iran war.
With the employment picture looking steadier, the Fed is expected to focus more on fighting inflation, which has exceeded the central bank’s 2% target for five years. Investors priced in a greater probability of tighter monetary policy, giving up on the prospect of additional rate cuts anytime soon.
But the stock market’s troubles began when chip designer Broadcom gave disappointing AI-related guidance late Wednesday in its quarterly earnings report. That sparked a selloff on Thursday that got further stoked by Friday’s strong jobs report.
The coming week will likely see even more volatility as fresh readings on consumer inflation on Wednesday and producer inflation on Thursday fuel additional Fed rate hike fears.
Also on Thursday, SpaceX will price its IPO, and shares will begin trading on Friday. While IPOs are often accompanied by volatility, Greg Boutle, head of U.S. equity derivative strategy at BNP Paribas, pointed out in a note that what’s different this time is the largest market cap ever seen in a U.S. IPO.
SpaceX plans to raise at least $75 billion by selling over 555 million shares at $135 a piece, valuing the company at more than $1.75 trillion. If underwriters exercise options for additional allotments to meet high demand, proceeds could grow to $85.7 billion.
“We think many of the standalone SpaceX flows might be digestible. The problem is that many of these flows are potentially same-way and additive,” Boutle explained. “With the SpaceX free float reported to be close to $75bn on IPO, it’s easy to see how $30bn of passive buying, a retail investor chase, and levered ETF and option flows collectively could quickly become challenging for the stock’s liquidity. If all are chasing to buy (or sell) at the same time, the risk of price dislocation becomes much greater.”
Staples.com: No Fee $200 Virtual Visa Gift Cards, Limit 4
No Fee $200 Virtual Visa Gift Cards
Staples is selling virtual $200 Visa gift cards with no fee. You can buy up to 4 gift cards online.
See promotion page here. Might not last long.
Don’t forget to use a card that earns 5X on these purchases like Chase Ink Business Cash.
Important Terms
- Email delivery within 24 hours, Visa Virtual eGift Cards can be redeemed online only.
- Gift cards are often requested in scams so never give gift card information to someone you don’t know. Never use a gift card to pay a debt. If you would like to learn more or would like report a suspected scam please go to ftc.gov/giftcards | 1-877-FTC-HELP or contact your state attorney general.
- In compliance with Federal anti-money laundering regulations, Staples is unable to process orders for gift cards exceeding $1,000
The post Staples.com: No Fee $200 Virtual Visa Gift Cards, Limit 4 appeared first on Danny the Deal Guru.
Another low-budget film crushes an expensive action movie at the box office
After three weeks of indie horror dominance at the box office, the slasher spoof “Scary Movie” topped ticket sales with $55 million over the weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday, easily besting the far-from-mighty “Masters of the Universe.”
A new order has lately come to movie theaters, which have seen Gen Z ticket buyers flock to the horror hits “Obsession” and “Backrooms,” both made by YouTubers-turned-filmmakers. Those movies have even outshone The Walt Disney Co.’s “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu.”
This weekend, comedy was the underdog champ. Though the genre has been all but left for dead in theaters, the sixth “Scary Movie” notched a franchise-best $105.5 million global launch. The Wayans brother comedy even outdid its primary satirical target, the “Scream” franchise. Earlier this year, “Scream 7” debuted with $97 million worldwide.
Both franchises are distributed by Paramount Pictures, though Miramax produced the new “Scary Movie.” Co-written by Marlon, Shawn, Keenan and Craig Wayans, the sequel marks the Wayans’ return to the franchise after their departure over creative differences following 2001’s “Scary Movie 2.”
“This is an outstanding opening for a comedy sequel this far into the series,” said David A. Gross, who runs the movie consulting firm FranchiseRe. “It’s a huge bounceback after the last episode crashed in 2013 when Anna Faris and Regina Hall were excluded. The weekend figure is triple the average for the genre.”
Reviews weren’t good (26% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes) and audience scores (a “B” CinemaScore) were so-so. But that didn’t stop the $30-million “Scary Movie” from dominating its much bigger budget competition.
“Masters of the Universe,” a sword and sorcery action adventure based on the 1980s animated series and Mattel toys, failed to revive the dormant franchise. The Amazon MGM release, the second “Masters of the Universe” film following a 1987 movie of the same title, opened with $29.3 million domestically.
“Masters of the Universe,” starring Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man, added $25 million overseas. But for a film that cost nearly $200 million to produce, a much higher launch was needed to make profitability likely.
It’s Mattel Studios’ first release since 2023’s “Barbie.” But after the extraordinary $1.45 billion success of that film, “Masters of the Universe” will be closer to a flop for the toy company.
A24’s “Backrooms,” last weekend’s top release, slid steeply on its second weekend, dropping 68% with $25.9 million. But “Backrooms,” a $10 million movie based on 20-year-old Kane Parson’s YouTube series remains a record-breaking phenomenon. It’s now A24’s highest grossing film ever with $212 million worldwide, moving ahead of “Marty Supreme.”
In a near tie for third place, Focus Features’ “Obsession” grossed $25.6 million in its fourth weekend. That marked a paltry 7% drop from the previous weekend for 26-year-old Curry Barker’s horror sensation. Not accounting for inflation, no horror movie has ever had a better fourth weekend.
“Obsession,” about a man who wishes his crush returned his affections, was made for less than $1 million. It’s now grossed $152.1 million domestically and $224.8 million worldwide — a record for Focus.
In its third weekend, “The Mandalorian and Grogu” fell all the way to sixth place with $10 million. It was even bested by Fathom Entertainment’s “The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act,” a combination of the last two episodes of the animated series. It collected $12.7 million.
A few other movies hit milestones.
Lionsgate’s Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” became the studio’s highest grossing film ever with $898 million globally. That puts it ahead, not accounting for inflation, both the highest grossing entries in the studio’s “Twilight” and “Hunger Games” franchises.
And 2026 got its first billion-dollar movie. “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie”crossed $1 billion worldwide for Universal.
The weekend overall was up a remarkable 63% from the same weekend last year, according to Comscore. Ticket sales on the year are up more than 13%. Next weekend, Steven Spielberg’s “Disclosure Day” debuts.
Top 10 movies by domestic box office
With final domestic figures being released Monday, this list factors in estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore:
1. “Scary Movie,” $55 million.
2. “Masters of the Universe,” $29.3 million.
3. “Backrooms,” $25.9 million.
4. “Obsession,” $25.6 million.
5. “The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act,” $12.7 million.
6. “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu,” $10 million.
7. “Michael,” $7.7 million.
8. “The Breadwinner,” $3.4 million.
9. “Pressure,” $3 million.
10. “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” $2.8 million.
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Trump says US still weighing share sale for Fannie, Freddie
President Donald Trump said his administration is still considering a public offering of shares in mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, days after he said he was appointing his top housing official to oversee the government’s network of intelligence agencies.
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Trump, speaking to reporters on Air Force One on Friday, was asked if the long-simmering question of an sale of shares for Fannie and Freddie was off the table with Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte picked to serve temporarily as acting director of national intelligence.
“No, it’s not,” he said of the proposed offering for Federal National Mortgage Association and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. “We’re thinking about an IPO for that. It’s not a rush.”
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Trump has wavered throughout his term on how to handle the mortgage giants, inviting pitches by banks last year. The administration previously signaled it was close to a decision but has declined so far to proceed.
Fannie and Freddie have been under Washington’s control since the 2008 financial crisis. In August, shares surged following reports that the White House had plans for an initial public offering that could value the enterprises at around $500 billion or more, and would involve selling 5% to 15% of their stock to raise about $30 billion.
Since then, however, the outlook has gotten murkier. The shares have tumbled more than 30% this year as investors cast doubt on the administration’s plans. Some analysts think a share sale could even cause mortgage rates to rise, undermining efforts to make the market more affordable.
What Plan Sponsors Need to Get Right
We encourage plan sponsors to engage in meaningful dialogue with their advisor during their next committee meeting. Consider the following questions:
- When was the last time your committee reviewed your adoption agreement and/or basic plan document?
- Have the demographics, savings behaviors, or financial needs changed since your last review?
- Is your plan fully compliant with all applicable SECURE 2.0 requirements?
References
1 Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (US), Defined Contribution Pension Funds; Total Financial Assets, Level [BOGZ1FL594090055Q], retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/BOGZ1FL594090055Q, November 18, 2025.
2 Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (US), Households and Nonprofit Organizations; Retirement Assets, Level [BOGZ1FL153050015Q], retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/BOGZ1FL153050015Q, November 18, 2025.
3 Cunningham v. Cornell Univ., 604 U.S. 693 (2025), available at https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/23-1007_h3ci.pdf
The material presented herein is of a general nature and does not constitute the provision by PNC of investment, legal, tax, or accounting advice to any person, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or adopt any investment strategy. The information contained and the opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice. The information was obtained from sources deemed reliable. Such information is not guaranteed as to its accuracy, timeliness, or completeness by PNC.
The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”) uses the marketing name PNC Institutional Asset Management® for the various discretionary and non-discretionary institutional investment, trustee, custody, consulting, and related services provided by PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC Bank”), which is a Member FDIC, and investment management activities conducted by PNC Capital Advisors, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PNC Bank. PNC does not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice unless, with respect to tax advice, PNC Bank has entered into a written tax services agreement. PNC Bank is not registered as a municipal advisor under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
“PNC Institutional Asset Management” is a registered mark of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. Investments: Not FDIC Insured. No Bank Guarantee. May Lose Value. ©2025 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
[CA only] LBS Financial Credit Union $100 Checking Bonus
Update 6/7/26: Deal is back until June 30, 2026, use Promo Code: Run2026
Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount: $100
- Availability: CA only
- Direct deposit required: Yes, $250 minimum
- Additional requirements: Use promo code
- Hard/soft pull: Soft pull
- ChexSystems: No
- Credit card funding: Up to $500 (Visa & Mastercard
- Monthly fees: None
- Early account termination fee: Six months, bonus forfeit
- Household limit: None listed
- Expiration date: December 31, 2020
The Offer
Direct link to offer
- LBS Financial Credit Union is offering a bonus of $100 when you open a new checking account and complete the following requirements:
- Use promo code Run2026
- Set up a direct deposit within 60 days of account opening. $250 minimum
The Fine Print
- New Membership requires $1 one-time fee and $5 deposit into a Share Savings account.
- Checking account requires $20 minimum deposit.
- Member must not have had a checking account relationship with LBS Financial within the last 30 days.
- Account must remain open and be in good standing.
- Minimum $100 monthly direct deposit must reflect on account within 60 days of opening. Incentive will be deposited into your Share Savings account within 30 days of the first direct deposit.
- If the checking account is closed by the Member within six months after opening, we will deduct the bonus amount at closing.
- Must be opened only at the Marina branch in person or online using Promo Code Marina2020.
- One incentive per account and household. Member responsible for all taxes on account.
- Offer good through December 31, 2020.
- Can be combined with our current loan programs but not good with any other incentive offers.
- Must be 18 or older to qualify for promotional offer.
- Promotional offer may be rescinded anytime at the discretion of LBS Financial Credit Union.
- All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them
Avoiding Fees
Monthly Fees
Free checking account has no monthly fees to worry about.
Early Account Termination Fee
Account needs to be kept open for six months otherwise bonus is forfeit
Our Verdict
Relatively small bonus but given it’s a soft pull still worth doing for those that have already done bigger bonuses.
Useful posts regarding bank bonuses:
- A Beginners Guide To Bank Account Bonuses
- Bank Account Quick Reference Table (Spreadsheet) (very useful for sorting bonuses by different parameters)
- PSA: Don’t Call The Bank
- Introduction To ChexSystems
- Banks & Credit Unions That Are ChexSystems Inquiry Sensitive
- What Banks & Credit Unions Do/Don’t Pull ChexSystems?
- How To Use Our Direct Deposit Page For Bank Bonuses Page
- Common Bank Bonus Misconceptions + Why You Should Give Them A Go
- How Many Bank Accounts Can I Safely Open Within A Year For Bank Bonus Purposes?
- Affiliate Links & Bank Bonuses – We Won’t Be Using Them
- Complete List Of Ways To Close Bank Accounts At Each Bank
- Banks That Allow/Don’t Allow Out Of State Checking Applications
- Bank Bonus Posting Times