On-Campus Employment

F-1 and J-1 students should be familiar with the rules and regulations of on-campus employment before beginning any employment.

F-1 and J-1 students are allowed to work on campus while attending classes. This work does not need to be related to your program of study, but you must maintain your student visa status while engaged in this type of work.

Definition of "On-Campus" Employment

On-campus employment typically refers to any job on campus in which the student is paid by Drexel. On-campus employment includes work done as a teaching or research assistant as well as jobs in the university library, dorms, dining facilities, research labs, and administrative offices. The exception to this rule exists for on-campus commercial firms/businesses that operate on Drexel’s campus and provide services for students (e.g., jobs through Aramark). Work at these commercial firms/businesses must be performed on campus as defined by the boundaries of the campus map.

If you are not sure that a job is considered "on-campus", please consult an International Student Advisor. Do not accept a job if you are not sure — avoid working without the proper authorization and putting your student visa status at risk!

What is not "On-Campus" Employment

Any other types of employment that may physically occur on campus (e.g., tutoring high school students, working remotely for a U.S. or foreign employer, etc.) but are not paid by Drexel University are not allowed because they do not meet regulatory criteria governing F-1 and J-1 student status in the U.S.

Can I Work On-Campus?

F-1 and J-1 students may work on campus if they:

• are a full-time student in a Drexel degree program for which they were issued an I-20/DS-2019.
• have a valid, unexpired Drexel I-20/DS-2019.
• have a valid, unexpired passport.
• are maintaining F-1 or J-1 status.

J-1 students: Must be in good academic standing and request permission from ISSS before working on campus. Please email ISSS before seeking or accepting employment.

Eligible F-1 and J-1 students can start working on campus upon completing their I-20/DS-2019 Registration with ISSS.

IMPORTANT: Rules for On-Campus Employment

1. On-campus employment must not impact academic performance. Employment is not a reason to miss classes, fail to do homework assignments, or score low on exams. Failing or dropping classes may affect your full-time enrollment and/or your progress to graduation, which may lead to termination of your status.
2. F-1 and J-1 students may work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and up to 40 hours per week during periods when school is not in session or during an approved vacation term.
3. Doing co-op and on-campus employment at the same time is strongly discouraged. While you are on co-op, the co-op employment is your "class" — see point #1 above. On-campus employment must not impact your ability to perform your responsibilities at the co-op job. The 20-hour rule in point #2 applies while you are on co-op, but we highly recommend working only a few hours per week, or none at all, to focus on your co-op position.
4. F-1 and J-1 students who have graduated, completed their program, been suspended/dismissed, or transferred to another institution are not eligible to work on campus. Graduating students cannot work on-campus (including teaching/research assistantships) beyond the program end date listed on their I-20/DS-2019. For information about receiving work authorization beyond your I-20/DS-2019 end date, please refer to our web pages on F-1 post-completion OPT and J-1 academic training.

How to Find an On-Campus Job 

Some helpful web pages to find jobs include:

• Human Resources – Student Employment
• Student Life Employment Opportunities
• Business Services Student Employment Opportunities
• Recreational Athletics Student Employment

Other ways to find a job on campus include:

• Visiting offices/departments on campus and asking if they are looking to hire students.
• Asking friends, classmates, academic advisors, and professors if they know of any available positions.

I Found an On-Campus Job - Now What?

Paperwork and procedures for new hires can vary by department. F-1 and J-1 students should follow their supervisors’ guidelines and instructions carefully.

F-1 and J-1 students may apply and be hired for an on-campus job before they have a Social Security number (SSN), but they will need a SSN before they can be paid. F-1 and J-1 students who do not have an SSN should email ISSS a copy of their job offer letter so that ISSS can create a SSN support letter that can be used to obtain a Social Security number. 

Generally, F-1 and J-1 students will be required to present the following documents when completing new hire paperwork:

• Passport
• Visa (citizens of Canada and Bermuda exempt)
• I-94 (Visit this website and click "Get most recent I-94" to search for and print your I-94)
• Social Security card with your SSN (if you have one already)
• Most recent I-20

If you have questions or concerns about any of these documents, consult an International Student Advisor at ISSS before completing the new hire paperwork.

Paying and Filing Taxes

F-1 and J-1 students who work on campus or are authorized to work off campus are required to pay and file federal and state taxes. ISSS cannot legally advise international students on taxes. However, Drexel's Office of Tax Compliance provides guidance on their website. They are available to answer questions and concerns regarding paycheck tax deductions and tax filing.