On-campus employment refers to employment where a student is hired by a unit or department of the University of Colorado Boulder campus (CU Boulder) and paid by CU Boulder.

  • If the employer is a private company that is physically located on the CU Boulder campus but provides direct services for students (e.g., Subway in the UMC), such employment would qualify as on-campus employment as well.
  • In some circumstances, on-campus employment can be located at an off-campus location when there is a documented affiliation with CU Boulder

Students can find listings of on-campus jobs at the Student Employment Office.

Be aware:

  • International students are not eligible for on-campus jobs classified as “work study” as such positions are subsidized by federal financial aid for domestic students.
  • Some positions listed as on-campus jobs are for organizations that are NOT on-campus employers: the Graduate School of Banking, CU Foundation, National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 

Students who have questions about whether a job is considered on-campus should consult ISSS.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for on-campus employment, international students in F-1 or J-1 status must:

  1. Be maintaining their nonimmigrant status;
  2. Be enrolled in a full-time course load or authorized equivalent in the current term or, in the case of summer or winter vacation, have not completed their degree and are enrolled full-time (or an authorized equivalent) in the next required term. 

Work Hours

International student can work on-campus up to 20 hours a week while school is in session during the fall and spring semester. 

  • If a student has multiple on-campus jobs, the total hours worked for all jobs cannot exceed 20 hours a week while school is in session.

International student can work on-campus full-time (more than 20 hours) during official school breaks (spring break, summer vacation, Thanksgiving break, and winter vacation).

Authorization

International students are responsible for making sure employment does not violate immigration regulations and that they complete all necessary steps with the university.

Social Security Numbers and On-Campus Employment

International students working in the U.S. must obtain a SSN. In order to apply for a SSN, a student must have a qualifying employment offer (documented in an official offer letter) and a letter from ISSS.

The on-campus job offer letter must be printed on department letterhead and include the following information required by Social Security Administration:

  • Name of student (as listed on passport)
  • Description of the employment/ nature of the job
  • Anticipated or actual start date
    (no more than 30 days into the future)
  • Number of hours/ week student is expected to work
  • Name of employing CU Boulder department/ school
  • Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Name of student’s immediate supervisor
  • Employer’s telephone number
  • Original signature with date (this must be an ink signature, not DocuSign)
  • Signatory’s title

Information for CU Boulder On-Campus Employment Hiring Department

To request a letter from ISSS, please complete the On-Campus Employment SSN Letter Request Form.

Additional Resources