America Reads
What is America Reads?
America Reads is a tutoring employment opportunity for students eligible for federal work-study.
- Tutors choose their own shifts.
- They tutor students one-on-one or in small groups.
- The program employs students of all majors.
Requirements
- Federal work-study eligibility (Learn more about the federal work-study program.)
- BCI and FBI background checks
- Be able to provide your own transportation to/from the tutoring location
How to apply
- Apply through the Student Employment Portal (NeoEd via the MyBGSU portal) or search "Family Literacy Program Tutor."
- Once your eligibility for federal work-study is confirmed by the Student Financial Aid and Scholarships Office, you will be contacted for a short interview and to determine which tutoring location is the best fit around your schedule.
- Prior to working in the schools, you must provide a valid BCI/FBI background check and attend training and orientation.
Tutoring sessions
All tutoring sessions are held in person. Tutors will work with the site coordinators to determine caseload.
The format of sessions varies based on the time the tutoring is offered.
- In school – Teachers will collaborate with tutors to assign and develop lesson plans.
- After school – Lesson plans are not provided. Tutoring sessions are open-ended. You may provide help with homework and assistance in reading instruction.
Payment
$14 an hour
Tutors are paid bi-weekly through BGSU's payroll system. Students are responsible for submitting an online timesheet each week. The site supervisor must then approve the hours worked before they can be submitted to the BGSU Payroll Office for payment.
Federal work-study students are required to sign up for direct deposit to receive their paychecks. Federal work-study funds cannot be applied directly to the student's bursar account.
Shifts
There are two shift options based on the school you work for. Tutors select their shifts and placements around their class schedule and must be able to provide their own transportation to the school(s).
Typical shifts include:
- Before school: 6:30-9 a.m.
- During school: 30-40 minutes (multiple shifts available)
- After school: 3:30-6 p.m.
I have built many relationships with my students already. They look forward to seeing me every day and I look forward to seeing them. They teach me more than I could ever teach them, in a good way. They look forward to showing me their work and projects every time I come in.
– Hannah Foos, early childhood education major, America Reads tutor
Our mission
- Enhance kids' literacy skills
- Connect developing professionals with children in educational environments that promote learning and literacy skills
We are committed to meeting the challenge to have all children reading well and independently by the end of third grade.
Federal work-study funds are automatically awarded to eligible students when they apply for federal financial aid with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Your financial aid offer will include federal work-study if you are eligible. You can access your financial aid in your MyBGSU Student Center. Contact the Student Financial Aid and Scholarships Office at 419-372-2651 or send a secure email through Ask SFA.
Unfortunately, if you do not qualify for federal work-study, you can't tutor for the America Reads program.
As long as your background check is not expired and displays these two codes you do not need to request a new one. Submit your background check.
- BCI 3319.39 B1 - School employees, non-teaching positions.
- FBI 3319.39- Public School District or Chartered Nonpublic School Employees and School Bus Drivers
Yes, you can still tutor. You are responsible for your own transportation to/from the school tutoring site.
You have the ability to select the tutoring shift that works best around your schedule. There are shifts before, during and after school.
Each school that participates in the America Reads program has a site supervisor who serves as the tutor's onsite supervisor. They provide orientation, training and instructions on expectations while working at their school. In addition, they will oversee the tutor's work, coordinate schedules and approve hours worked for BGSU payroll purposes.
Updated: 08/27/2026 06:27PM