Ibrahim Gardner
International students at UCSC have several opportunities to work on campus. F-1 students can engage in on-campus employment for up to 20 hours per week during school terms and full-time during vacation breaks. J-1 students are also eligible for on-campus employment under similar conditions. To apply for on-campus jobs, students can browse job postings and filter by on-campus opportunities. Additionally, Work-Study is a federal program that allows on-campus employers to hire students at a reduced cost. To work on campus, international students may need to provide certain documents, such as an SSN card, and complete specific authorization forms depending on their visa status.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work hours | F-1 and J-1 students can work up to 20 hours per week during school terms and full-time during vacation breaks. |
| Work-study program | A federal program that allows on-campus and off-campus employers to hire students at a reduced cost. Students receive a set dollar amount for the academic year, and their wages cannot exceed this amount. |
| Job postings | Students can browse job postings and filter by job type, paid opportunities, on-campus opportunities, work-study positions, location, industry, job title, employers, and relevant majors. |
| Social Security Number (SSN) | International students must apply for an SSN and provide a copy to Student Employment within 30 days to continue working. |
| Fellowship/Scholarship payment | International students who have not secured employment in the US can apply for an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) to receive Fellowship/Scholarship payments. |
| Employment authorization | F-1 students who have completed their studies may apply for employment authorization from USCIS for Optional Practical Training (OPT). J-1 students may be eligible for work authorization for Academic Training after completing their studies. |
| On-campus employment examples | Teaching or research assistantships, library aide, university bookstore, or any other UCSC paycheck-receiving positions. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
F-1 visa holders can work 20 hours per week during school terms
F-1 visa holders are permitted to work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during school terms, and up to 40 hours per week during holiday breaks and vacations. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure they do not exceed this limit, as working even 15 minutes over the limit is considered a violation of F-1 visa status. To avoid this, F-1 visa holders should closely monitor their working hours, as the payroll office at their school will be keeping track and communicating this information to the Designated School Official (DSO).
To work on campus, F-1 visa holders must first meet certain criteria. They must be enrolled in an academic, language-training, or vocational program, and their school must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program. Additionally, F-1 visa holders must be enrolled as full-time students, be proficient in English or enrolled in courses to achieve English proficiency, have sufficient funds for self-support during their studies, and maintain a residence abroad with no intention of giving up.
Once these criteria are met, F-1 visa holders can begin the process of finding on-campus employment. They can browse job postings and filter their search by on-campus opportunities, location, industry, and job title. After applying, employers will reach out to schedule an interview and potentially offer the job.
Before accepting any job located on campus, it is important for F-1 visa holders to speak with their DSO. This is especially important if their paycheck will come from an entity other than their school, as the DSO can help ensure that the employment is with a legitimate on-campus employer according to F-1 regulations. Working with a company located on campus that does not provide services directly to students is considered an employment violation and will result in the loss of F-1 status.
To begin working, F-1 visa holders must also obtain a Social Security Number (SSN). They can do this by completing the ISSP Social Security Authorization Letter Request Form and submitting it with a signature from their hiring supervisor. They can then request an SSN support letter from ISSP via iGlobal and proceed to apply for their SSN at the Social Security Administration (SSA) office.
Support Strategies for International Student Affairs Professionals
You may want to see also
Explore related products
](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81N+sq+EvBL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
J-1 visa holders can work 20 hours per week during school terms
As an international student at UCSC with a J-1 visa, you may be eligible to work on campus. The J-1 exchange visitor visa is an option for international students who wish to benefit from the quality education offered by US institutions. While the primary purpose of the J-1 visa is to study, you are allowed to work part-time for up to 20 hours per week during school terms to gain practical experience and supplement your finances.
On-campus employment for J-1 visa holders is defined as paid work done for the school or an affiliate. This includes work done on the premises of the school, such as in the bookstore, libraries, hospitality services, transportation service, or online. In some cases, on-campus employment may also include work done at off-campus locations if the employer is educationally affiliated with your school or your research project.
To be eligible for on-campus employment, you must ensure that your total work hours do not exceed 20 hours per week during the academic year. Additionally, you will need to obtain written permission from your J-1 program sponsor, which is typically the institution or agency that prepared your DS-2019 form. Remember that the availability of on-campus positions may be limited, and you will need to compete for these positions by applying to as many jobs as possible.
If you are experiencing economic hardship and require additional work hours, you may qualify for off-campus employment authorization under relevant immigration regulations. To be eligible, you must be a full-time student in valid J-1 status, and the adverse change in your financial situation must have been unforeseen. If approved, you will be able to work off-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the school term and full-time during vacation periods.
Working On-Campus: International Student's Guide to Multiple Jobs
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$11.73 $17.99
Apply for an SSN to work on campus
To work on campus at UCSC as an international student, you will need a Social Security Number (SSN). To apply for an SSN, you must be physically present in the US. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply for an SSN:
Wait for at least 10 days after arriving in the US
Before applying for an SSN, you must wait for a minimum of 10 calendar days after arriving in the US. Additionally, you must wait for at least 2 business days after the initial registration or validation of your SEVIS record. A student advisor will register your record after you have completed the visa check-in process, enrolled full-time, and updated your US address in MyUCSC.
Complete the necessary forms
You will need to complete the ISSP Social Security Authorization Letter Request Form. This form must be signed by your hiring supervisor. Additionally, if you are a new student, you will need to complete the visa check-in process, after which an international student advisor will register your record.
Request an SSN support letter
You can request an SSN support letter from ISSP via the iGlobal (ISSP Request portal). For J-1 scholars, no additional letters from ISSP are required to apply for an SSN.
Attend an appointment with the Social Security Administration (SSA)
Schedule an appointment with the Social Security Administration (SSA) office to officially apply for your SSN. The SSA will verify your legal presence in the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program (SAVE) before issuing an SSN.
Onboarding process
Once you have received the official SSN receipt from the Social Security office, you may proceed with the onboarding process. Show your AR your identity and work authorization documents, enabling them to complete section 2 of the I-9 for you. You will receive a payroll packet via DocuSign, and after it is signed, you will get your blue card, approving you to work for 30 days. Provide your SSN to Career Success as soon as it is issued, and update Student Employment with a copy of your official SSN card within 30 days to be approved to continue working.
International Students: Claiming Lottery Winnings
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Work-study financial aid package
Work-Study is a federal program that allows on-campus and select off-campus employers to hire students at a reduced cost. The program pays 75% of the student's wages through financial aid, and the rest is paid by the employer. Work-Study is a part of your financial aid package. If you receive a Work-Study option, you are awarded a set dollar amount for the academic year. Your wages may not exceed this set dollar amount—if they do, the on- or off-campus organisation must pay the full cost of the wages.
Work-Study is a need-based program. A Work-Study option will be offered as financial aid to eligible students who submit a FAFSA application. Students must apply for part-time jobs and may earn up to the amount of the Work-Study award they accept. There is no guarantee of employment, and students are not required to earn and use the Work-Study they are offered. Work-Study does not directly apply to the bill; instead, the student earns a paycheck to use toward educational expenses.
To apply for Work-Study jobs, you must first accept your Work-Study award. You can view your offer by logging into MyUCSC, clicking on the Financial Aid tile, and selecting "View Financial Aid". If you do not see a Work-Study award in your MyUCSC portal and would like to be reconsidered for Work-Study, fill out the Request Work-Study eForm located in MyUCSC. Once you have accepted your Work-Study award, you can browse job postings from verified employers on the Jobs page. You can filter your results by job type, paid opportunities, on-campus opportunities, work-study positions, location, industry, and job title, employers, and relevant majors.
If you have concerns about how requesting participation in Work-Study may affect your financial aid, consult with the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office. UCSC has on- and off-campus Work-Study opportunities, which are advertised on Handshake.
International Student Experience: A Career Advantage?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$24 $27.99
$6.02 $11.99
Apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows F-1 students to be authorised for off-campus employment, usually for one year. Students with a valid F-1 status can apply for OPT to gain work experience directly related to their field of study.
Pre-completion OPT
This is OPT work authorisation that occurs before you complete your degree. You can apply for pre-completion OPT up to 90 days before your requested start date. Employment is usually limited to 20 hours per week during the academic term but can be full-time during vacation periods.
Post-completion OPT
This is the most common form of OPT. It is OPT work authorisation that follows the completion of your degree. You can apply for post-completion OPT as early as 90 days before your I-20 program completion date or as late as 60 days after your I-20 program completion date. For post-completion OPT, you are expected to work full-time during the dates printed on your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card, and you are allowed up to 90 days of unemployment during this time.
You must be in the US to apply for OPT and you must remain in the US until USCIS has received your application. You do not need a job offer to apply for OPT work authorisation. OPT can be approved for a maximum period of 12 months (pre- and post-completion OPT combined). An extension of OPT authorisation beyond 12 months is possible for students with a degree in certain STEM fields. OPT applications can take 1-2 months to be processed, with most applications approved within one month.
Hard-Working International Students: Why the Drive?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
International students at UCSC can find job opportunities as teaching or research assistants, library aides, or at the university bookstore. There are also unpaid internships and paid work experiences through the federally managed Optional Practical Training (OPT) program.
F-1 students at UCSC are allowed to work on campus for up to 20 hours per week during school terms and may work full-time during vacation breaks.
International students need to provide various documents, including the J-1 On-Campus Employment Authorization Form signed by an International Student Advisor, Certification of Eligibility (Form DS-2019), Arrival/Departure Record (Form I-94), and their J-1 visa stamp. Additionally, they need to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) and complete the onboarding process with Career Success.
