On-Campus Employment

The best way for an international student to find a job on campus is by networking. Many offices and departments on campus hire student workers and not all are posted online. Most on-campus jobs are found by asking around, being referred by other students, or getting involved in student clubs and organizations.

More information regarding Service Learning, Internships and Career Services can be found on the Eagle Networks wep page.

On-campus employment is the category most freely permitted by the USCIS regulations, and it does not require USCIS approval. However, although F1 status includes an on-campus employment privilege, on-campus employment opportunities are often limited. Students should also refer to the Step by Step instruction guides listed in the next section for more information about  what to do after you are offered a job.

Definition: Per 8 CFR § 214.2(f)(9)(i) International students on an F-1 or J-1 student status may be authorized to work up to twenty (20) hours per week during the academic periods (when school is in session) and up to forty (40) hours per week during non-academic periods (when classes are not in session).

Please note that FGCU, as an employer, reserves the right to limit the number of hours an employee, in certain classifications, may work to ensure compliance with federal or state regulations.

An on-campus employed international student who works beyond 20 hours/week while the University is in session risks violating his or her immigration status. Potential effects of violating international student immigration status include, but are not limited to, termination of SEVIS (immigration record) and the need to regain immigration status through costly and sometimes lengthy procedures. Purpose: This policy pertains to F-1/J-1 student on-campus employment regulations established by 8CFR § 214.2(f) (9) (i) (the U.S. code of Federal Regulations governing foreign nationals) and establishes the FGCU course of action/response if a violation occurs.

Student Responsibility: Students are responsible for compliance with the policy and the federal regulation stated above and must monitor work hours in coordination with their work supervisor.

When a student’s violation of terms of employment leads to termination of status, the student must establish a new SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019 record (including a new Financial Statement) and start the process to exit and then re-enter the U.S, with a new student I-20 record (at the student’s expense).

FGCU Supervisor Responsibility: As an employer/supervisor of international students, you are responsible for monitoring the hours these students/employees work on a weekly basis by ensuring they do not exceed the 20/40 hours per week limit, as well as ensuring they report their hours within the same week/pay-period (do not carryover into the following week/pay-period). 

• You must be enrolled full time during fall and winter semesters
• You may work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session during the academic year (fall and winter semesters)
• During official university holidays, breaks, and vacation periods, you may work full-time (more than 20 hours per week) on-campus (spring and summer semester for most students)
• You may not engage in on-campus employment after the program end date listed on your I-20

There are many departments to work for at FGCU, including FGCU Athletics, Physical Plant, User Services, Housing Desk Operations, FGCU Resident Assistant, Campus REC and many more.

Besides working for a specific department as an employee at FGCU, many students also have the opportunity to work for one of the various food services here on Campus.  

*IMPORTANT* International Students must follow specific guidelines while working

Below we have provided a few step by step directions to follow after you have acquired your new position.

Working as an employee at FGCU

Working for Food Services 

Working for the Center for Academic Achievement (CAA)

Working as an employee on campus for one of the many Food Services such as Einstein, Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, 

*Disclaimer: The information in the documents here are only guides and may be subject to change.  You may be provided specific directions and guidance from the FGCU department or food service provider in which you will be working.

F-1 and J-1 international students are not eligible to accept "work-study" jobs. Work-study salaries are paid with U.S. federal funds, therefore F-1 and J-1 students cannot receive this type of funding.

Do I need a social security number to work on campus?

Yes, you will need a social security number to work on or off campus. Please contact the Global Engagement Office to help you with your process of acquiring a social security number.

How many hours can an international student work on campus?

An F-1 student may work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session (full-time during those periods when school is not in session or during the annual vacation)

For example, you cannot work 15 hours one week and 25 the following week. You cannot work 21 one week and 19 the next. Once again, the maximum that can be worked in one week during the spring and fall semester is 20 hours.

What happens if an international student works more than 20 hours?

Working more than 20 hours per week while school is in session is a violation of your study permit conditions. You can lose your student status for doing this, and may not be approved for a study or work permit in the future. You may also have to leave the country.

Do I need permission from Global Engagement Office to work on campus?

You do not need authorization from GEO to engage in on-campus employment, but you do need to get a Social Security Number if you will be earning money.

Do F-1 students have to pay taxes?

While employers typically withhold Medicare/Social Security taxes from employee’s wages; this is NOT the case for non-resident, F-1 students. They are exempt from these taxes, though they are still subject to income tax withholding. An F-1 student is considered a non-resident for his or her first five calendar years in the United States. Please consult with a tax professional for more information on F-1 student taxes.

Can I have more than one job on campus?

International students can work more than one job on campus but are still only allowed to work a total of 20 hours combined each week.  Example: you can work 10 hours/wk for one job and 10 hours/wk for the other or 5 hours/wk for one and 15 hours/wk for the other.  Students and supervisors are responsible for tracking the total number of hours worked each week. A student cannot work more than the 20 hours allowed each week.

Can I continue to work on campus after I graduate?

Once you complete your degree, you cannot work on or off campus even if you have applied for OPT. Students must apply for OPT to continue working in the U.S.  Please see our OPT page for more information.

If I am currently working on campus can I also get a job off campus?

Students must meet specific qualifications to work off campus. Off campus work must be approved through CPT.