The barn smell pervades the snow-filled air. A chorus of "baas" and a strong odor comes from the open barn door. The animals stare with bright, glassy eyes, their frozen breath hanging in the air. Workers' voices sound down the dark aisle.

The sheep barns aren't a place where most students would work, but for two students, this is their job and it pays for college.

Dawn Hulslander and Nissa Bala's work at the barn is a work-study job through the Office of Student Aid, 314 Shields.

Barn maintenance, feeding the sheep, marking the lambs and bedding down the pens are some of their responsibilities, and Bala (sophomore-anthropology) enjoys it.

"I wanted to work with animals and it seemed cool," she said. "I didn't want to work in an office."

This is Bala's second work-study job. Last year she worked in Shields Building but prefers the barns because it is a chance for her to get outside.

Hulslander (junior-dairy and animal science) has worked at the barns since November and it is her first work-study job.

Work study is funded through the U.S. Department of Education to help students who have financial need, said Robert Snyder, senior coordinator in the Student Aid office. This year the University's program received $2.8 million in federal funding, Snyder said.

To receive a work-study grant, students must be seeking a degree either as a graduate or undergraduate and file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form no later than Feb. 15 each year, Snyder said.

"We make every effort to give financial aid back to students who already have it," he said. "We don't have enough (money) to award all students who apply."

Students receive money based on need. Freshmen are awarded first, usually in February or March, so they can decide which school they want to attend based on their award, he said. Other students find out later in the year because they are already at school, he added.

The money students receive is used for tuition costs, Snyder said, but students get a paycheck and the money can go toward anything.

There are many jobs available for work-study students, from working as an office assistant or at Rec Hall to working at the HUB.

Hoang O is another student in the program. Trying to pay his tuition, O (junior-labor and industrial relations) works 12 hours a week. Working at the HUB desk, he answers questions, sells newspapers, lends magazines and newspapers and helps people find the information they need.

O encourages students to take advantage of the work-study progam.

"I enjoy it a lot," he said. "You get to meet a lot of people, people you normally wouldn't see working at other jobs."