Employment at USC
On-campus work performed for USC is usually acceptable, whether it is employment in the library, the computer center or the housing office, or work required by a scholarship, fellowship, or assistantship.

Work Off Campus, Which Qualifies as On-Campus Employment
Immigration regulations allow you to work at an off-campus location provided:

1. the location is educationally affiliated with the school,
2. the educational affiliation is associated with USC's established curriculum or is related to a graduate level research project which USC has contracted to perform, and
3. the work is an integral or important part of your program of study. For example, if your field of study is marine biology, since USC has an off-campus marine biology research facility, you may work there and that employment will be defined as "on campus." OIS would require a letter or memo from your department confirming that this job meets all the above qualifications.

How soon am I eligible to work on campus?
As an F-1 student, you may apply for permission to work on campus provided you have completed passport verification and are pursuing full-time studies at USC. New graduate and transfer students may begin employment at USC as early as 30 days prior to the first day of orientation . Freshman are required to wait until their second semester at USC to begin on-campus employment.

What do I need to do to get on-campus work permission?
Once you are registered full time (8 units for masters students, 6 units for masters students with RA or TAships and 6 units for Ph.D. studnets and 12 units for undergraduates), you may complete the "Application for Employment F-1 Students" form which is available at OIS and on our web page. Submit the form and an on campus employment letter will be prepared for you. This document will be prepared for you in four business days. Give this letter to the office or department you will be working for as proof that you have legal authorization to work.

If I have a graduate assistantship, do I still need this letter from the OIS?
Students with teaching assistantships or research assistantships do not require an on-campus work permission letter. Your graduate assistantship should be noted on your current I-20. If it is not, please bring a copy of your graduate assistantship award letter to OIS, so we may update your I-20.

How many hours can I work?
You may work full time during the winter and summer vacations, but only part time (up to 20 hours per week) while school is in session.

Tax Concerns
In general, F-1 students who have been in the United States less than five years are exempt from Social Security (F.I.C.A.) taxes. However, the earnings of F-1 students are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes, and these amounts may be withheld from paychecks. Students must file both federal and state tax returns on or before April 15 of each year. Students may be entitled to a refund of taxes withheld from their wages if the amount of tax owed is less than the amount withheld.

A Note of Caution
While CIS regulations provide a variety of opportunities for you to be employed during your time in F-1 status, working improperly or without authorization is a serious violation of your status. You should therefore consult with an immigration specialist at OIS before taking up any employment.

Adapted from a document published by NAFSA:
Association of International Educators
1875 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.,
Suite 1000,
Washington, D.C.
20009-5728
USA

Useful Links
Jobs at USC

Daily Trojan Classifieds