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On-Campus Employment

F-1 students are eligible to work on-campus during their academic program if they are maintaining their F-1 status. The work does not need to be related to the student’s field of study and no special authorization is needed; however, there are rules, which are explained below.

If you are uncertain whether any proposed employment would qualify as "on-campus" employment, please consult with VIS prior to accepting the position. 

What is On-Campus Employment?

On-campus employment encompasses a wide array of opportunities, ranging from roles as teaching, research, or graduate assistants to positions within the university library, dining facilities situated on campus, laboratories, and administrative offices. Additionally, on-campus employment extends to positions with on-location commercial firms that offer services to SBU students, such as stores or restaurants located at the University.

Qualifying Employers/Positions
Non-Qualifying Employers/Positions

Eligibility and Hours

  • You must be maintaining status.
  • You must be employed by an employer located on-campus and in a job that meets the requirements listed above.
  • The work must take place before completing your degree. F-1 students are not permitted to work on-campus after their I-20 program end date.
  • You cannot exceed the number of hours you are permitted to work (see time limits below).
  • International students are not eligible for work-study jobs. The work-study program is for domestic students only.

On-Campus Work Start & End Dates

  • Students with an "initial" attendance I-20 cannot begin working more than 30 days before the program start date.
  • SBU students who are continuing their studies in a new degree program are eligible to work during the break between semesters. For instance, if a student completes a degree in the spring and begins a new program in the fall, they can work on campus during the summer.
  • Students transferring to Stony Brook from another U.S. school can begin on-campus employment at Stony Brook at any point after their transfer-release date.

Time Limits

During the fall/spring semesters:
20 hours per week or less is permitted.

During your annual vacation (summer) or winter term:
More than 20 hours per week, up to a maximum of 29 hours is permitted, in accordance with SUNY policies.

On-campus employment is limited to 20 hours per week during the summer, if summer is your final semester.

More than one on-campus job is permitted, so long as you do not exceed the permitted number of hours per week explained above.

On-Campus Employment Expiration

Your on-campus employment eligibility ends:

  • When you complete degree requirements. You may not work on campus after your I-20 program end date or degree conferral (whichever happens first). You may not work on campus after your degree conferral, even if your I-20 program end date is in the future.
  • If you transfer to another university, your work authorization at Stony Brook expires on the day of your SEVIS record is released to the new school.
  • If you violate your F-1 status.

Social Security Numbers

Any student who will work in the U.S. must apply for a Social Security Number. The employer must use the SSN to report wages and taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Social Security Administration (SSA). F-1 students are eligible to apply for an SSN after they have received an offer of employment that meets SSA standards. Please read our Social Security page for information on how to apply.

After receiving your SSN, you must report it to the Office of the Registrar.

Finding On-Campus Jobs

Click here to be directed to the Career Center's website where you will find useful resources like Handshake (SBU Career Center’s online recruiting database), upcoming career based events/workshops,  mini training webinars, and new student orientation.

Important Notice: Not all job postings on Handshake meet the criteria for "on-campus" employment from an immigration standpoint. It is crucial to consult your International Student Advisor before accepting any job offers to ensure compliance with F-1 or J-1 regulations and avoid any potential risks to your immigration status.

Employment and Training
Employment and Training