On-Campus Work (F and J Students)
Overview
On-campus employment is permitted "incident to your status" as an F-1 or J-1 student. This means you are eligible as soon as you have obtained F-1 or J-1 status and does not require an application. J-1 students, however, must submit a request for authorization of on-campus employment. On-campus work is done for, and paid by, Columbia University, with an exception for work for a commercial firm on the campus if it provides direct services to all Columbia students. On-campus employment authorization ends on the Program End Date found on the I-20 or DS-2019.
Information for both F and J students
F-1 and J-1 students may work on campus for up to 20 hours per week when classes are in session (generally fall and spring semester). If your program requires you to be enrolled during the summer term, you are also limited to no more than 20 hours per week over the summer.
Generally, students who are enrolled half-time or more, are limited to no more than 20 hours of work per week, across all compensated positions, on- or off-campus (generally fall and spring semesters):
- Students on appointment are limited to a total of 20 hours per week across all compensated positions (on- or off-campus) during any semester they are on appointment, including winter break and summer terms. If you are appointed as a student officer (e.g., Teaching Assistant, Graduate Research Assistant), please contact your Departmental Administrator for relevant information before taking on student casual work.
- Students who work as casual employees may not exceed 20 hours per week across all compensated positions during fall and spring semesters, inclusive of spring break. Student casuals are not limited to 20 hours per week during winter break or, provided they are not enrolled, during summer break.
If you have questions, please consult your department or school.
The time you spend working on-campus is not deducted from the amount of time you are allowed for other types of work, such as F-1 Optional Practical Training or J-1 Academic Training, and does not need to be related to your field of study.
This is because Work-Study jobs are subsidized by federal financial aid for domestic students.
There is no one central place where all on-campus jobs are listed. Some places to look are:
- Lionshare for students served by Center for Career Education (CCE)
- CCE how to get a job on-campus
- Other Career Centers
- Bulletin boards in campus buildings
- Libraries (employment office in 519 Butler)
F-1 and J-1 students sponsored by Columbia University may work on-campus at an affiliated school - Barnard College, Teachers College, Jewish Theological Seminary or Union Theological Seminary.
F-1 students who find on-campus work at an affiliated school may need to request an Extended On-Campus Employment Letter for onboarding purposes. Make this request to the ISSO /ISSO-CUIMC by clicking on the appropriate link below.
J-1 students must submit a mandatory request for ISSO authorization. See "For J-1 Students only" section below.
For J-1 Students only
J-1 exchange visitor regulations require sponsor authorization of on-campus employment. If your Form DS-2019 was issued by Columbia University, make this request to the ISSO /ISSO-CUIMC by clicking on the appropriate link below.
Not sure of your campus? Check our campus school list.
Need help using Compass? Learn more on our Compass User Guide.
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Watch from 00:00 - 1:49 to get a quick overview of on-campus work!
After You Find an On-Campus Job
Apply for a Social Security Number (if you don't have one)
You must apply in person to the Social Security Administration, a federal agency, for a Social Security Number (SSN). Learn exactly what you need to do for an SSN application.
Follow instructions for getting on payroll
Visit the New Student Employees page on the Human Resources website.
The office that hires you will give you instructions for completing an I-9 Employment Verification Authorization Form, tax withholding forms (federal IRS W-4 and NY state/city IT-2104), and possibly IRS Form 8233 if you are from a country eligible for a tax treaty benefit.
- W-4 special instructions for "nonresident aliens"
- Tax Treaty exemption eligibility questions? While the relevant Human Resources office is working remotely due to of COVID-19, please call the HR Service Center at 212-851-2888 or submit this ServiceNow Form.
W-2: By January 31st of the following tax year, you will be sent a W-2 form, also known as the Wage and Tax Statement, . The W-2 reports your annual wages and the amount of taxes withheld from your paycheck. At Columbia, Payroll in the Finance Division is responsible for the W-2. Access an electronic copy of your W-2 here.
