Frequently asked questions

Current BYU students. Every student confirms their email and submits an application with a photo of themselves and a photo of their current BYU student ID. We check the ID and approve every student personally before they can see or quote jobs.

After every job, customers and students review each other, and those reviews show on profiles.

Cougar Hire is free to use. Students quote their own price (a flat price or an hourly rate). You pay the student you choose directly after the job, by cash, Venmo, or however you agree.

No. You provide the tools, they provide the muscle. Students provide labor only. They never drive your vehicle or their own vehicle for a job, and they don't bring tools, equipment, or supplies.

Each category lists what you'll need to have ready.

Before you accept a quote, you can message students in the app, but phone numbers, emails, and street addresses stay private. Messages that try to share them aren't delivered.

As soon as you accept a quote, you both see each other's full name and phone number, and the student sees your address.

To keep jobs simple and safe for everyone, these aren't allowed: hauling or junk removal; anything requiring a student's vehicle; licensed work (electrical, plumbing, gas); childcare; elder care; pet sitting.

Utah County: Provo, Orem, Springville, Spanish Fork, Lehi, American Fork, Pleasant Grove, Lindon, Vineyard, Saratoga Springs, Eagle Mountain, Payson, Mapleton, and Salem.

When the student marks the job done, you confirm it or tap “Report a problem.” We look into every report and contact both of you.

If a student cancels a booking, you can repost the job in one tap, and the student gets a strike. Students who cancel repeatedly are suspended.

Yes. Cancel a job anytime before you accept a quote. After you've booked someone, you can still cancel, but please do it early. Cancellations within 24 hours of the job are recorded, because they're hard on students.

Sign up with a personal email (BYU email addresses can't receive our emails right now), fill out a short application with a photo of your student ID, and we'll email you when you're approved. You choose which jobs to quote and set your own prices. You're an independent contractor, and customers pay you directly.

No. Cougar Hire is an independent service and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Brigham Young University.