International Student Services

Employment Options

Links:

• Curricular Practical Training
• Optional Practical Training (Pre-completion)
• Optional Practical Training (Post-completion)
• Off Campus Employment Due to Economic Hardship
• Special Student Relief
• Employment with an International Organization
  

On Campus Employment

F-1 students attending Lewis University on an I-20 issued by LU are generally permitted to part time, while they are enrolled full time at Lewis and providing they maintain their F-1 status.

F-1 students who have registered full time, checked in at the ISS, and have obtained health insurance are immediately eligible to begin working part time (maximum 20 hours per week) on campus in any campus position that does not displace a U.S. worker, even prior to the start of classes.  The work does not have to be related to their course of study or major.  This permission is automatic and on-going throughout the duration of an individual's study at Lewis and does not require special permission of the INS.  

All on campus employment is treated the same for the 20 hour per week limit:  e.g., a teaching assistant working 15 hours per week can only work 5 additional hours per week in another on-campus job.

What is considered "on-campus" employment?

On campus employment includes work done as a teaching or research assistant as well as jobs in the school library, cafeteria, and administrative offices.  On-campus employment also includes employment with "...on-location commercial firms which provide services for students on campus, such as the school bookstore or cafeteria."  On campus employment does not include employment on the school's premises for a commercial firm that is not providing on campus services for students;  for example at a construction site for a new school building.

Work done at off campus locations, but treated as on-campus
"On-campus" work may also include work performed at a location away from the main campus, but which is educationally affiliated with the school.  The educational affiliation must be associated with the school's established curriculum or related to contractually funded research projects at the post-graduate level and be an integral part of the student's educational program.  For example, where a graduate student is conducting research under the supervision of their professors who have a contract based research grant is considered on campus employment.  This provision might also be used in the case where a student would be paid by an off campus employer, but for work actually done on the premises of the school, providing there is either an educational affiliation or the employer is providing services to Lewis University students.

Eligibility for on campus employment ends when students are not registered full time (even in some instances when granted an exception from full time enrollment) or when they fail to maintain their student status.

Limits

On campus work is limited to no more than 20 total hours per week while school is in session.  There are no exceptions to this 20 hour per week limit to on-campus requirement except that F-1 students who have otherwise been maintaining status may work full-time during vacation periods providing they are eligible and intend to register for the next semester.

On campus employment after completing a course of study

A student may not engage in on-campus employment during the 60 day grace period following completion of a course of study or thereafter except in the following situations:

Employment authorized for practical training

Occasionally, a student will choose to gain practical training experience by working at Lewis.  Although the services are performed "On campus," the source of the students work authorization in that case in practical training.  Students working on campus during "practical training" may not begin work without the authorization of the INS and with the permission of the ISS, who will determine if the work is commensurate with the student's field of study and rank or level.

Changing from one academic program to another

INS regulations state that a "student who has been issued a Form I-20 to begin a new program in accordance with federal regulations and who intends to enroll for the next regular academic year, term, or session at the institution which issued form I-20 may continue on-campus employment as incidental to status.

Students Enrolled at Two Institutions Concurrently

Students temporarily attending two institutions concurrently may work only on the campus of the institution that issued their Form I-20.

Other requirements

All individuals working in the United States including F-1 students engaged in on-campus employment must complete INS Form I-9 Verification of Employment Eligibility.  This form can be completed at the Human Resources Office on campus.

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