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?
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 what is considered to be on-campus employment, may be a serious violation of the F-1 or J-1 visa status, and could result in a student losing lawful status. For any questions on whether an employment opportunity is considered to be on-campus employment, 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.
*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 status requirements of their F-1 or J-1 lawful status.
- F-1 and J-1 students are permitted to work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week while school is in session. 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 where a student is not in an academic session, 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.
ATTENTION J-1 STUDENTS: J-1 students must report on-campus employment to ISSO by completing the J-1 On-Campus Employment Reporting e-form, found on the Forms page.
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