Employment Opportunites for International Students
U.S. immigration law allows F-1 students to work on-campus and off-campus with work authorization. There are specific rules for each employment type that all students must know.
On-campus Employment
Definition
On-campus employment is defined as working directly for Saginaw Valley State University or for on-campus commercial firms like the school bookstore and dining services.
Eligibility
F-1 students may work on-campus part-time (less than 20 hours per week) during the fall and winter semesters and full-time (20 hours or more) during the spring and summer semesters. To be eligible for spring and summer jobs, students need to be registered for the subsequent fall term. Students cannot work after the program end date listed on the I-20.
Benefits
- Earn extra money (20 hours per week = _____ per semester)
- Work experience to add on resume
- Develop communication skills
- Improve time-management
- Personal references and letters of recommendation for future employment and education
Considerations
- Look for a job where you may learn valuable skills that will look good on a resume
- Try to choose a job that could lead to a better job (example: work as a dining services employee and work up to a student manager for dining services)
- Review the “Professional Tips” from the Career Services Office.
U.S. Taxes
Students who earn wages are required to pay taxes on their earnings unless their home country has a tax treaty with the United States. Please reach out the Payroll Office: (989-964-4230) for questions regarding what paperwork needs to be completed. For information about how to file taxes, please consult with a certified tax preparer. The OIP is unable to give tax advice.
Documentation Needed After Getting a Job
- Student Employee Application
- I-9 Form (Employment Eligibility Verification)
- State and Federal W-4 Forms
- FERPA Form (only needed for certain jobs)
Off-campus Employment
Before engaging in off-campus employment, F-1 students must be authorized for CPT or OPT.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
F-1 students may be authorized for CPT when the training is considered “integral” to their major. Undergraduate students must be enrolled for at least one academic year (i.e. fall + winter) before receiving authorization for CPT.
Please meet with an OIP advisor to discuss the possibility of a CPT authorization.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Post-completion OPT allows F-1 students to work off-campus for one year after graduation. This work must be related to the student’s field of study. Students in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) may be eligible for a two-year STEM OPT Extension.
It is necessary for students to meet with an OIP advisor prior to applying for OPT in order to receive an updated I-20 showing a recommendation for OPT.
To learn more about practical training (CPT and OPT), please review the following USCIS webpage: