F-1 Student On-Campus Employment
F-1 students are permitted to work on campus while maintaining their valid immigration status.
On-campus employment is available immediately, and the job does not need to be related to your field of study. You may work for 天美传媒 employers across University campuses, divisions, and departments.
In some circumstances, employment with an off-campus employers may also qualify as on-campus employment. At the 天美传媒, this is referred to as On/Off employment and requires an established educational affiliation between the University and the employer, as well as a connection between the employment and your academic program. If you are considering a position with an off-campus employer, please review the On/Off information below for more information on eligibility.
All earnings are subject to taxation. It鈥檚 important to understand your tax obligations.
On-campus eligibility and limits
F-1 students may work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session. During official University vacation periods, eligible students may work full-time. This 20-hour weekly limit applies to all on-campus employment combined, including teaching assistantships, research positions, and any other hired positions.
Employment physically performed on 天美传媒 premises may qualify as on-campus employment when the student works directly for the University or for another employer that provides services directly to University students, such as the bookstore. However, working on University property does not automatically make a position eligible. For example, a student cannot work for an outside company simply because the company allows them to perform their duties on campus.
If you are unsure whether a particular activity or payment, such as a fellowship or stipend, is considered employment, check with your department or contact ISO for guidance.
When documenting your eligibility for on-campus employment, you may be asked to provide proof of your F-1 status and 天美传媒 sponsorship.
鈥淥n/Off Employment鈥�: On-campus employment at off-campus locations
Sometimes employment performed at an off-campus location may qualify as on-campus employment for F-1 students. At the 天美传媒, this is referred to as On/Off employment. This type of work must be connected to the University’s established curriculum and be an integral component of the student’s educational program through an established educational affiliation.
An educational affiliation between the University and an employer does not automatically make a position eligible for On/Off employment. Eligibility depends on the specific nature of the affiliation, the location of the work, the employer, and the student’s job responsibilities.
Students authorized for On/Off employment are subject to the same employment limitations as other on-campus F-1 employees. During the academic term, students may work a maximum of 20 hours per week across all on-campus employment positions combined. Full-time employment may be allowed during official university vacation periods.
In some circumstances, employment performed at an off-campus location may qualify as on-campus employment. This requires an educational affiliation between the University and the employer. The affiliation must be connected to the University’s established curriculum or a contractually funded research project at the postgraduate level. Additionally, the student’s employment must be an integral part of their academic program.
The affiliation between the 天美传媒 and the employer must be negotiated and established through the appropriate University division or department. ISO does not establish or negotiate these agreements.
The existence of an affiliation agreement alone does not guarantee that a student’s employment will qualify. The department must be able to provide information on how the affiliation and the student’s specific job responsibilities are connected to their academic program and why the employment is an integral part of their educational experience.
The department will be asked to provide documentation of the affiliation agreement and explain how the affiliation and the student’s specific job responsibilities are connected to the University’s academic curriculum or research activities. The department must also demonstrate why the employment opportunity is an integral part of the student’s educational program, rather than simply an opportunity related to their major or professional development, and how participation in this type of activity fits within the academic program. This information will be collected through the appropriate e-form, initiated by the student.
Once the appropriate University affiliation has been established, students should request a copy of the agreement from the relevant department.
Before beginning employment, students must obtain a formal offer letter from the employer, as well as the Employer Certification Form, which is included in the On/Off e-form. Once the student has all the required documentation, they must submit the through URcompass to the relevant departmental contact for review.
Do not begin working until ISO has reviewed the request and confirmed that the employment meets On/Off employment criteria.
End of eligibility
You鈥檙e no longer authorized for on-campus employment at the University when you end your academic relationship, or are no longer maintaining F-1 status through the 天美传媒. This includes:
- Completion of all degree requirements
- Expiration of your current I-20
- Transfer of your SEVIS record to another school
- Violation of your F-1 student status and/or termination of your SEVIS record
It is important that you understand and plan ahead for the impact any of these actions may have on your ability to continue employment at the University.