Students in several of AC instructional programs are able to obtain part-time employment paying higher than minimum wage. Therefore, Amarillo College has lost a valuable resource (student workers) in these fields that in the past have benefited AC departments.

Amarillo College has budgeted special funds for departments to hire these students at a higher wage – comparable to what they would receive in the private sector. These funds are meant to supplement the minimum wage each department budgets for student workers. The amount each student is paid should be determined through collaboration between the department supervisor and the instructional department manager. All efforts should be made to conserve Amarillo College’s funds while providing a fair wage reflecting the market. These funds may also be used to pay for the entire wages of a student worker if the department did not budget for the position and can demonstrate an actual need. The hiring department’s Executive Committee member and the External Learning Experience office must approve all requests for the External Learning Experience students using the special fund.

Procedures

1. Contact the ELE office by telephone (371-5930) to notify of need.  Proper forms can be obtained from the AC web site.
2. Contact the Department Chair of the instructional program to determine if there is a student available with the skills you require.
3. Complete the “Amarillo College Request Form for an ELE Student.” Have the Executive Committee member for your division sign the form and send it to the ELE office.
4. Upon approval from the Business office on the availability of funds, the requesting department and instructional program will be notified. The student should enroll in the appropriate External Learning Experience class and review information on the ELE program on the AC web site.  Students can just download and print out several copies of the Student Forms from the web site.
5. At the same time, the student should also obtain a Student Aid Employment Referral Form from the web site. The hiring department completes the employer’s section, has the student sign and submit the Employment Referral Form back to the Financial Aid office. It is important that the hiring department clearly indicates that this is an ELE student and the wage rate on the Employment Referral Form.
6. The supervisor of the student, instructor and employer need to sign the ELE Training Agreement and complete the Job-Related Learning Objectives Form (ELE form  ) located in the Student Guide.
7. At the end of the semester or ELE course, the student’s supervisor must conduct an evaluation of the student.

Note: These funds are limited and final approval is contingent on availability of funds verified by the Business Office.