For International Students

All jobs listed on the Financial Aid Employment website are for students with financial aid work awards ONLY. International students are not eligible for federal financial aid.  Please refer to the following US Department of Education websites to view citizenship requirements for financial aid and obtain further information:

• Citizenship Requirements for Federal Financial Aid
• Department of Education Portal for International Students

According to the International Student Handbook, you must not work illegally.  Those on the F-1 visa MAY work on campus without any special permission as long as the hours worked do not exceed 20 per week during the academic year; longer hours are permitted during vacation periods.  The 20 hour per week limit includes any hours required by assistantships.  Off-campus work may be taken ONLY with special permission and under limited circumstances and this permission cannot be requested until a student has completed one full year of study.  More information is available in the International Student Office.

Some students hope to supplement their income by seeking employment in the United States.  The following is a brief summary of some relevant laws governing employment of foreign students as found in the International Student Handbook:

• F-1 visa holders can work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week while school is in session, full-time during vacation periods.  This time limit includes the number of hours required by assistantship appointments. UMass Lowell does not guarantee or assist in getting employment for any student.
• F-1 visa holders may not seek any off-campus employment until they have been in F-1 status for 2 full academic terms.  Please contact the International Student Office (Dugan, Suite 110, UML South) for further information.
• J-1 visa holders may not accept any employment without written permission of their visa sponsors (the institution or agency issuing the DS-2019).
• DEPENDENTS: F-2 visa holders cannot work under any circumstances; J-2 visa holders may be able to work with special permission from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service.

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