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On-Campus Job Information

Most on-campus jobs are based on work-study funding. Unfortunately, international students are not eligible for Work Study funded jobs. You will need to rely on the funding source(s) you presented to the International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO) and the U.S. Embassy when issued F-1 or J-1 status. All Off-Campus Work Authorization for F-1 or J-1 students must have the PRIOR approval of the International Students & Scholars Office and the issuance of a new Form I-20 or Form DS-2019. Failure to obtain Off-Campus Work Authorization through ISSO will jeopardize your F-1 or J-1 student status.

Where is it legally permitted for international students to work?

  1. Your Academic Department:
    • Check with your Academic Department first about job possibilities such as Teaching Assistantships, Research Assistantships, Graduate Assistantships or any other type of job within their department.
  2. On-Campus Departments:
    • You may also utilize the JobHawk website to apply for UMass Lowell departmental employment. Remember to click on “International Students” to search for On-Campus Department funded positions.
  3. On-campus vendors*:
    • Employment with the below UMass Lowell vendors are only considered on-campus employment if the job performed is physically done on the UMass Lowell campus. Employment with any vendor other than those listed below is unacceptable as on-campus employment for international students.
    • When in doubt, ALWAYS check with the International Students & Scholars Office first.
    • Any variation from the below is a serious violation of your visa status, and will result in a termination of the student’s legal status in the U.S. For any questions on the legality of permissible on-campus work, please email: ISSO@UML.edu.

Please note: Employment is only considered to be on-campus if the job is physically done on the UMass Lowell Campus. The Lowell Memorial Auditorium and the Call Center are NOT considered on-campus work. Any student found to have violated this will have their F-1 or J-1 status terminated.

Job WebsitesAddressContact Information
The River Hawk Shop (Follett) - bookstore and moreUniversity Crossing
220 Pawtucket Street, Lowell, MA		Hiring: Ada Ruiz
Email: bookstore@uml.edu
Phone: 978-934-2623
Aramark Food Services100 Pawtucket Street, Lowell, MAEmail: Dining@uml.edu
Phone: 978-934-5369
UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center (Aramark)50 Warren Street, Lowell, MAHiring: Jirair Derkrikorian & John Bowen
Email: arnold-eric@aramark.com
Phone: 978-934-6943
Tsongas Center (Spectra & Emerald Green)300 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Lowell, MAHiring: Dean Easterling
Email: Dean_Easterling@uml.edu
Phone: 978-934-5760

*Please note: Int'l students are not permitted to be employed at the UMass Lowell Innovation Hub as "on-campus employment" unless employed at the I-Hub Administration Office, collecting a UMass Lowell paycheck. Int'l students would otherwise require OPT or CPT authorization to work at the I-Hub

How Many Hours Per week can an International Student Work On-Campus:

  • International Students must maintain full-time status at all times and follow all legal requirements of their F-1 or J-1 student status.
  • F-1 and J-1 students are permitted to work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week. This is 20 hours per week in total of all combined On-Campus jobs. It is not 20 hours per job.
  • During the recognized UMass Lowell vacation periods, international students in F-1 or J-1 status are permitted to work On-Campus on a full-time basis as long as they’re complying with all other F-1 & J-1 status requirements.
  • For questions on your status, email: isso@uml.edu or call us at 978-934-2383.
  • Please read the following document regarding How to Calculate 20 Hours of Work per Week.

J-1 students must report on-campus employment to ISSO by email at: isso@uml.edu, both whenever they start or end an on-campus job.

Regarding Social Security & On-Campus Jobs for International Students:

  • You do not need to have a Social Security number to apply for, or be offered an on-campus job.
  • You will need to have a Social Security number before starting the job. It only takes two weeks to obtain a Social Security card.
  • Our office is willing to explain this to any UMass Lowell hiring department that may be reluctant to offer you a job for lack of a Social Security card. If you encounter this problem, please ask them to contact ISSO directly via phone or by email.

Please remember that you do NOT need a Social Security number to open a bank account or to do any business in the U.S.

  • Your passport and a brief explanation of your status will suffice.
  • In order to open a Bank account in the U.S. without a Social Security number, you simply need to complete a W-8 Form (pdf), which can also be obtained by any Bank Teller.
  • If you ever need our office to write a letter or call anyone to explain your status, we’re happy to do so.

Once you secure a job offer, you will need to apply for an SSN letter from ISSO! Click on the button below to be directed to our Social Security page.

Learn more about SSN