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Employment in the U.S.A

On-Campus Employment

F-1 students are allowed to work on-campus at Texas A&M San Antonio (TAMU-SA) during their academic program start and end dates. First check in with the Office of International Affairs (OIA) upon your arrival to the USA. Prior to starting your employment, email a copy of your on-campus employment offer letter to International.Affairs@tamusa.edu so we can determine if the position qualifies as on-campus. Then the OIA will issue you a letter in support of your Social Security Number (SSN) application certifying you are an F-1 student eligible for on-campus employment.

Note: Off-campus employment is only allowed for F-1 students if you receive prior approval from OIA for work in your academic discipline for 

  • CPT: internship/practicum courses during college or 
  • OPT: typically occurs after completion of the academic program 

While on-campus employment is not listed on your I-20, CPT and OPT work authorization must be on your I-20 or you are considered in violation of your F-1 visa status. For more information on CPT and OPT, click here.  

Types of On-Campus Employment 

On-campus employment is classified as a Student Worker or a Graduate Assistant position. Both types of on-campus employment involve working with TAMU-SA Human Resources (HR) to get set up in the payroll system prior to the beginning of employment. You also must continue to follow all F-1 immigration policies to maintain your status.  

Student Worker (SW) 

  • Open to undergraduate and graduate students 
  • Must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA 
  • Non-benefits eligible position 
  • Student must pay their own Health Insurance
  • May work up to 19 hours/week during the semester 
  • May work full-time during summer or university breaks 
  • Student Workers may work for any department on campus (verify with OIA that the department is an on-campus employer before you begin working) 
  • Student Workers typically apply for positions through Handshake 
  • Offer letter is signed by a representative from the department 
  • Other regulations may apply, see your hiring department, or HR for more information 

  Graduate Assistant (GA) 

  • Must be enrolled in a graduate program 
  • Must be registered during the Fall and Spring semesters for a minimum of six credit hours in student's graduate program
  • Must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA 
  • Continuation in the Graduate Assistant Program is based upon satisfactory performance on the job and available funding 
  • Benefits eligible position:  
    • GA’s Health Insurance plan is paid by the department offering employment 
    • HR will provide info on health insurance options  
  • GA’s are eligible for in-state tuition 
  • May work up to 20 hours/week during semester 
  • May work full-time during summer or university breaks 
  • GA’s often work for their home department, but they may work for any department on campus who advertises a GA position (Library, IT, Grad Studies, HR, etc.) 
  • GA’s typically apply for positions through Workday 
  • Must complete mandatory university training requirements within 30 days of hire (HR will advise on the GA training) 
  • Offer letter is signed by Department Chair, College Dean, Dean of Graduate Studies, and student 
  • Other regulations may apply, see Graduate Assistant Handbook, your hiring department, or HR for more information.  

Applying for a Social Security Number 

For any type of employment, F-1 students must apply for an SSN before they begin working. Click here to learn more about your SSN application appointment. Items to take to SSN appointment: 

  • SNN application 
  • Signed employment offer letter  
  • Letter of support from OIA 
  • Passport (unexpired) 
  • Visa 
  • I-94 
  • I-20 

Human Resources (HR) and TAMU-SA Work Authorization 

After applying for the SSN, students will receive a letter from the SSN office to give to TAMU-SA Human Resources (HR) office. You must complete any required HR procedures before you begin working. During your appointment with HR, ask them about getting set up in Glacier so that you do not have Social Security (OASDI) and Medicare Taxes removed from your paycheck. F-1 students only pay federal taxes.
 
To initiate your on-campus employment, HR will request copies of the following items:  

  • SSN letter 
  • Offer letter 
  • Passport (unexpired) 
  • Visa 
  • I-94 
  • I-20 

Taxes 

F-1 students must file taxes annually with the US government between January – April 15. If you were employed on-campus, TAMUSA Human Resources will send you a W-2 Form which you will use to answer questions on your tax form. You must file your taxes independently using Sprintax. For more information on taxes, click here.

  • All employed students must pay federal taxes.  
  • F-1 students are exempt from paying Social Security (OASDI) and Medicare Taxes.
    • Communicate with HR to ensure these taxes are not taken out of your paycheck.
    • While filing your tax returns, you may request a refund of any Social Security (OASDI) and Medicare Taxes.

Maintaining Visa Status

To maintain your F-1 visa status, you must follow F-1 immigration policies above any policies you hear about from your department or another unit on campus. If you have any questions about your work eligibility or work authorization, contact the OIA at International.Affairs@tamusa.edu or 210-784-1309