On-Campus Employment
Working on campus is a convenient way to gain work experience while you study at SFSU. This page will help you understand the requirements for on-campus employment, how to get started, and what you need to do to maintain your F-1 status while working during your bachelor's or master's degree program.
Eligible F-1 international and J-1 exchange students may work on-campus as student assistants, tutors, teaching assistants, etc. SFSU student employees may work up to 20 hours per week (part-time) during the Spring and Fall semesters and up to 40 hours per week (full-time) during Summer sessions and semester breaks.
General Information
You may be eligible for on-campus employment if the job falls into one of the following categories:
✅ Employment with SFSU
Examples include:
- Library
- Computer Center
- Housing Office
- Teaching, research, or administrative assistantships
- Positions connected to scholarships or fellowships
✅ Student Assistant Positions
- F-1 and J-1 students may work in jobs classified as Student Assistant positions.
- F-1 and J-1 students are not eligible for Work-Study positions funded through U.S. federal financial aid programs.
✅ Employment with Certain On-Campus Businesses
You may work for a third-party company located on campus if it provides direct services to students.
Examples of acceptable employment:
- SFSU Bookstore
- Campus cafeterias
- Campus cafes and restaurants
Examples of non-acceptable employment:
- Construction companies working on campus
- Other businesses that do not provide direct services to students
Not Sure?
If you are unsure whether a position qualifies as on-campus employment, contact an international student advisor before accepting the job.
Certain off-campus work opportunities may also qualify for on-campus employment. USCIS regulations allow international students to work at an off-campus location provided that:
- The location is educationally affiliated with the school.
- The educational affiliation is associated with the school's established curriculum or is related to a graduate-level research project that the school has been contracted to perform.
- The work is integral or important to the student's program of study. For example, if the student's field of study is marine biology, and the university has an off-campus marine biology research facility, the student may be eligible to work there. In this case, that employment would be defined as "on-campus".
Students May Work on Campus if they are:
- Maintaining F-1 or J-1 status.
Enrolled full-time or have been approved for Full-Time Equivalency (FTE) or Reduced Course Load (RCL) due to Completion of Study (F-1 only).
ATTENTION:
While you may be eligible for on-campus employment from an immigration standpoint, you must also meet the university’s campus and position-specific requirements.For example, some student employment positions may require full-time course enrollment. If you are approved for a Reduced Course Load (RCL) and Full-Time Equivalency (FTE) during a semester, you may not meet the eligibility criteria for certain on-campus positions.
- Agree to work up to 20 hours per week (part-time) during the Spring and Fall semesters, or up to 40 hours per week (full-time) during summer sessions and semester breaks. Students may only work during summer sessions and semester breaks if they are eligible and intend to register for classes during the next available semester.
- Physically in the U.S. during the semester they wish to work on campus.
Students MAY NOT Work on Campus if:
- Their SEVIS record and I-20 or DS-2019 have been terminated by an F-1 or J-1 advisor or if the student has failed to maintain F-1 or J-1 status.
- Students with approved Reduced Course Load (RCL) due to Medical Condition are not eligible for on-campus employment benefits.
- The program end date on the student's I-20 or DS-2019 has passed or if the student has graduated from SFSU.
- The student has been approved for Reduced Course Load (RCL) due to Academic Difficulty or Medical Condition.
- F-1 students only: Students who have transferred their SEVIS record and I-20 to other schools.
- J-1 students only: Students are failing to meet all Exchange Program terms, as agreed upon in the Exchange Program application.
Employment can be a valuable experience that enriches students' studies. However, students should NOT come to SFSU with the intention of relying on on-campus employment income to cover all tuition and living expenses in San Francisco.
Prior to beginning their program of study, both F-1 and J-1 students are required to prove that they have sufficient funding to support their studies at SFSU, whether employed or not.
Complete Payroll (SPAR) Every Semester
- Students who have worked on-campus do not need to complete I-9 or submit OCEC every semester.
- Students who have worked on-campus must complete payroll (SPAR) forms every semester.
No Longer in F-1 Status?
Students must update their I-9 and payroll forms if their circumstances have changed, such as changing from F-1 status to another non-immigrant/immigrant status.
All international students, scholars, and their dependents present in the U.S. during any part of the previous calendar year must file annual tax forms between January 1 and April 15 with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA)
The VITA IRS-certified volunteers offer FREE tax preparation services to qualified individuals. SFSU’s VITA program is sponsored by the IRS and the University’s Beta Alpha Psi - Beta Chi Chapter, an international honor society for business majors.
Where to Get Tax Forms
Tax forms are available at most banks and post offices and can be downloaded from the U.S. Government Services and Information website. Detailed instructions accompany these forms.
How to Get Tax Filing Advice
International and exchange student advisors and the University Tax Specialist do not offer tax advice. Students are advised to seek assistance from the IRS or a reliable tax consultant due to the complexity of income tax laws.
We encourage students to consult with a tax preparation service, professional tax accountant, or tax attorney who is knowledgeable about nonresident tax law.
Applying for On-Campus Employment
Finding On‑Campus Jobs
You may use Career and Leadership Development (CLD)’s On‑Campus Jobs Resources page to explore on‑campus employment opportunities, along with tips for resumes, interviews, and job searching.
Job Listings on Handshake
All on‑campus student positions are posted on Handshake, SFSU’s online job and internship platform. These positions may include:
- Student Assistant (non–work study)
- Part‑time and full‑time jobs
- Temporary positions
- Internships
Handshake opportunities are exclusively available to you if you are an SFSU student or alumnus. You may also contact on‑campus departments or offices where you are interested in working, as some positions are filled outside of formal job postings.
Work Authorization for International Students
If you are applying for an on‑campus job and are in F‑1 or J‑1 status while maintaining full‑time enrollment, you may answer “Yes” to the question: “Do you have U.S. work authorization?”
You will officially receive on‑campus work authorization after you receive an on‑campus job offer.
Additional Ways to Learn About Opportunities
Networking can also be helpful. Friends or classmates who already work on campus may be able to share information about available positions or hiring practices within their departments or offices.
To obtain authorization to work on campus, students must:
- Complete the online On-Campus Employment Certification (OCEC) form. Our office no longer accept PDF forms.
- If you do not have a Social Security Number (SSN), you must upload an on‑campus job offer letter when completing the OCEC form.
- On-campus employers are advised to use the Social Security Administration’s job offer template (Word, 14K).
- SFSU's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 93-1137247.
- On-campus employers are advised to use the Social Security Administration’s job offer template (Word, 14K).
- You will receive an email confirmation within two (2) business days verifying your eligibility to work on campus.
- If you uploaded an on‑campus job offer letter, you will also receive a digital SSN support letter with your email confirmation.
While waiting for their SSNs, students should complete their I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification by completing the following steps.
Student Assistants
- Complete the I-9 with the University Police Department. Please follow the instructions for "F-1 and J-1 Visa Status I-9 Verification and Hire Process" available on the Student I-9 Verification and Hire Process at University Police Department's website.
Graduate Assistant (GA) or Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA)
- Complete the I-9 with your hiring department.
Auxiliary Positions
- Complete the I-9 with your on-campus employer. Auxiliary positions include roles at Sodexo, Associated Students, Inc., University Corporation (U-Corp), the SFSU Bookstore, or any other on-campus commercial employers.
Tax Compliance Step
If you work in an auxiliary position, you will complete this step with your on‑campus employer, not with the University Tax Specialist.
Auxiliary positions include employment with:
- Sodexo
- Associated Students, Inc.
- University Corporation (U‑Corp)
- SFSU Bookstore
- Other on‑campus commercial employers
If you work as a Student Assistant, Graduate Assistant (GA), or Graduate Teaching Associate (GTA):
- You must have a Social Security Number (SSN).
- You must receive a Payroll Action Request Form from your on‑campus employer in order to complete this step.
Contact the University Tax Specialist
Email Celine Luo, the University Tax Specialist, at wenshu@sfsu.edu with the following information:
- Your full name
- Your SFSU ID number
- Your SFSU email address (personal email accounts will not be accepted)
After your email is received, you will be sent instructions on how to access Sprintax Calculus, SFSU’s tax compliance system. You must upload all required documentation directly into Sprintax Calculus as instructed.
Important Information
- The University Tax Specialist does NOT provide tax preparation assistance.
- Sprintax Calculus is a tax compliance system and is not the same as Sprintax, the U.S. income tax filing software.
- SFSU students do not have access to Sprintax for individual income tax filing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
No. However, You must update your Form I‑9 and payroll records if your personal circumstances change, such as when you change from F‑1 status to another non‑immigrant or immigrant status.
New Students
If you have been issued an initial I‑20 or initial DS‑2019 and plan to enroll in the next regular academic semester at SFSU, you may work on campus up to five (5) days before the semester start date.
Current Students
If you are a current student in valid F‑1 or J‑1 status, you may begin working on campus as soon as you have completed all required employment and tax documentation.
Students Changing Status to F‑1
If your change of status to F‑1 has been approved by USCIS, you may work on campus starting from the F‑1 program start (validation) date listed on your approval notice. You may not work on campus while your change of status application is pending.
Yes, you are eligible to work as long as you do not exceed the maximum number of hours permitted per week. Refer to the Eligibility Requirements for detailed dates.
You may work on campus if you are registered full time, or if you have an approved FTE or Reduced Course Load (RCL) due to Completion of Studies.
You may not work on campus after you have completed your degree or exchange program.