Eligibility, Requirements, and Employment Guidelines

Our Career Center and the graduate assistantships with Graduate Studies are the best sources for information about on-campus employment.

Eligibility

  • Students must be enrolled full-time to be eligible. For summer employment, a student must be registered for the summer or fall semester.
    • Violation of the student's F-1 status, such as falling below a full course load without authorization, automatically nullifies any employment authorization.
  • Students must not exceed 20 hours per week while school is in session.
    • A student may hold more than one job; however, the total number of hours worked may not exceed 20 per week during academic terms.
  • Employment may be more than 40 hours per week during vacations and breaks.
    • Students may work full-time when school is not in session, such as during the annual vacation, provided they will continue as a full-time student in the term following the break.
  • Employment is terminated upon completion of studies or upon transfer of the SEVIS record to another school.

Social Security

Visit the Social Security website for information on how International Students and Non-Citizens can apply for a social security number.

If you do not yet have a Social Security number:

  • The on-campus department hiring you must complete and print the Verification of F-1 Student's Employment on Campus form on the department's official letterhead. The department must complete the top portion of the form and sign in ink. Digital signatures or copies of the form are not acceptable.
    • In the employee name field (Name – F-1 Student), the hiring department must enter the student's full name exactly as it appears in the passport using the format: FirstName MiddleName LastName.
  • Drop off the original, signed form at the Center for International Studies in Lawrence Hall, Room 101. Processing time varies depending on the time of the semester (allow at least seven business days). If this is your first semester at St. Cloud State University, you must have checked in with the Center for International Studies and be enrolled full-time before submitting the form.
  • You will receive an email when the form is ready for pickup. Follow the instructions in the email, then take the letter and your immigration documents to the Social Security office to apply for a Social Security number.
    • Please note: Students may apply for an SSN up to 30 days before the employment start date listed on the employment letter. It is also acceptable to apply fewer than 30 days before the start date.
    • For additional details, visit the International Student and Scholar Services' Social Security information page.
  • Notify your department and payroll office that you have applied for a Social Security number.
  • You may begin working without a Social Security number if you can provide proof to the payroll department that you have applied.

Taxes

IRS - Foreign Students and Scholars
  • International students are subject to state and federal taxes.
  • International students present in the United States for fewer than five years are exempt from Medicare and Social Security taxes.