On-Campus Employment

This section contains information about working on campus for students with F-1 or J-1 visa status. The ISC encourages you to wait to seek on-campus employment until after you have adjusted to life at SDSU. (An ISC mentor can help you make that adjustment.)

The ISC offers several F-1 Employment Authorization Info Sessions each semester, where we discuss the rules for on-campus and off-campus employment/internships. You can watch a recording of our most recent Info Session by visiting the Educational Workshops webpage.

When Can You Work?

• Up to 20 hours per week (part time) when class is in session
• Up to 40 hours per week (full time) during SDSU vacation periods
• J-1 students: in addition to the above, authorization must be received from the ISC before you can begin a campus job
• View the SDSU Academic Calendar for details

Combining On-Campus and Off-Campus Work

Working on campus may affect your eligibility to work off campus at the same time.

• Undergraduate students: When class is in session, a maximum of 20 hours total is allowed between on-campus and off-campus employment (CPT). During the summer and official school breaks the maximum does not apply.
• Graduate students: When class is in session, you may work a maximum of 20 hours per week on-campus and also work part-time or full-time off-campus (CPT), as authorized by your academic department and the ISC. During the summer, and official school breaks, the maximum does not apply.

Documents You Will Need

• Campus Work Verification Form: Some on-campus departments will require proof from the ISC that you are eligible to work on campus before they will offer you a job.
  • F-1 students: If a campus employer requires verification of on-campus employment, contact ISC Reception at [email protected].
  • J-1 students: To obtain a letter from the ISC, complete the J-1 On-Campus Employment Authorization Request Form, which is found on the Forms webpage
  • Note: You are allowed to work on campus without additional authorization from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
• Social Security Number: Most campus employers will allow you to apply for a job and be hired before you have a Social Security Number (SSN), but you must have a Social Security Card with your SSN to show your employer in order to be paid. If you do not have an SSN, you will need to apply for one after the campus employer hires you by following our SSN process.