Work Authorization

On Campus Employment

F-1 Students can work no more than 20 hours per week on-campus during the Fall and Spring semesters. Legally, students can work on-campus more during the Spring Break, Winter Break, and Summer Break. UIW limits all student employment to 20 hours a week, however some departments may allow more during the summer term.

J-1 Exchange students can work on campus beginning the second semester of their exchange program.  They cannot work the first semester, so 1 semester exchange students are not eligible for on-campus employment. 

Note: It is your legal responsibility to monitor your hours and not exceed 20 hours a week for the Fall and Spring terms. Be sure to explain these restrictions to your supervisor and abide by the restrictions.

Types of On Campus Jobs

• Hourly Student Employment - This is hourly paid employment with a campus department, available to all degree levels
• Federal Work Study - F-1 and J-1 students are NOT eligible to be hired for these positions.
• Undergraduate Research Assistant - These are rare positions, predominately in the Honors program, pay a one-time stipend of $500 -$2000 for helping UIW faculty with a grant-supported research program.
• Graduate Assistant with Tuition Waiver - These positions waive 6 hours of tuition per semester only, they do not pay for fees or any hourly pay. 
• Graduate Assistant with Tuition Waiver and stipend - These positions waive 6 hours of tuition per semester and pay a small monthly or semesterly stipend, they do not pay for fees or any hourly pay. 
• Graduate Research Assistant - These are rare positions that waive 3 hours of tuition a semester for helping UIW faculty with a grant-supported research program.
• Special Events/ Camp assistants with housing waiver - These are rare positions that waive dorm costs only for a semester, and can include summer.  This waiver does not cover meal plan costs or offer any hourly pay. 
• Resident Assistant - These are highly sought-after positions that waive both housing and meal plan costs for an academic year. 
• Campus Vendor Student Employment - Students are also eligible to work for Sodexo and Follett Book store exclusively on UIW campus.  You cannot apply to these companies at any of their other locations. 

To Apply for an On-Campus Job

• Find an open on-campus position by visiting https://jobs.uiw.edu/ (search "Student" position type only) or ask professors and campus offices if they have any openings. Make sure you are qualified and meet the requirements of the position.  F-1 students are NOT eligible to apply for "Federal Work Study" positions.
• Apply for the job - Most applicants must submit a Resume/CV, Cover Letter, and a list of references. Find out how to create a U.S. style Resume and Cover Letter from the UIW Career Services office. Career Services provides career counseling and education to all students and alumni in all UIW programs. They help with individual career counseling, personality and career assessment, resume and cover letter review, career-related workshops, and software resources. In addition, they host on-campus employer events each semester.
• Receive an an Interview request - Contact UIW Career Services office to practice your interview skills with a "mock interview".  This will help with nervousness, losing your English, and making cultural mistakes in an interview setting.  You only get one chance at an interview so do you best by preparing with Career Services. 
• Receive a "Job Offer Letter" - Once you are offered a job, you must receive a Job Offer letter from the hiring supervisor.  Take this letter to the ISSS office so that we can help you with the next step. 
• Social Security Number - You do not need any special permission from the ISSS office to work on campus. However if it is your first time working in the U.S. you may need a Social Security Number. Learn how to apply for an SSN

Off-Campus Employment Options

Off campus employment options are extremely limited and based on specific circumstances and cannot be depended upon to pay for your university expenses.  

Economic Hardship, Special Student Relief or Temporary Protected Status (F-1 and J-1 eligible)

These options are available to students who experience documented extreme, unforeseen changes in funding circumstances beyond their control, such as armed conflict/natural disaster in their home country, death or severe illness of a sponsor, currency crash, hospitalization, or similar emergent circumstances.   

Schedule an Appointment with an ISSS Advisor to discuss Economic Hardship eligibility and the application process.

Employment with an International Organization (F-1 only)

As an F-1 student, you may work for a qualified international organization, as defined by the International Organization Immunities Act of December 29, 1945. If you have an offer from an employer on the List of International Organizations you may be eligible to Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS.

Schedule an Appointment with an ISSS Advisor to discuss your eligibility and the application process.

Curricular Practical Training/CPT - Internships

Under U.S. immigration regulations, international students are generally restricted from off-campus work (paid or unpaid). However, an international student may be academically required to participate in an internship or temporary employment to gain practical experience in their field of study. To participate in these activities, the student must meet with International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) prior to enrolling in an internship course or a course with an internship component. You can then complete certification that you will adhere to the CPT Policy and work with your advisor and your potential internship employer to complete the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) application.

Pre- Completion OPT

Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a benefit of F-1 status that permits off-campus employment in the student’s field of study to begin prior to the student’s program completion date.

Students are eligible for 12 months of OPT total at each degree level (e.g. Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral).  Student can choose to use the 12 months of OPT work authorization before degree completion.  Any time used prior to degree completion is subtracted from the 12-month total that can be used for Post Completion OPT.  

Schedule an Appointment with an ISSS Advisor to discuss your pre-OPT eligibility and the application process.

STEM Optional Practical Training/OPT

Schedule an Appointment with an ISSS Advisor to discuss your STEM OPT eligibility and the application process at least 4 months before your current OPT expires

List of UIW STEM DHS Approved Majors (If your major is not listed below, then it is not STEM eligible)

H-1B Cap Gap Extension

The “cap-gap” extension can be granted to allow an F-1 student’s status and in some cases, employment authorization, to extend from the OPT end date until Oct. 1, the required start date of the H-1B cap-subject petition filed (not just registered) on their behalf.  The following requirements must be met to qualify:

• H-1B category must be cap-subject
• H-1B must be filed prior to the expiration of OPT end date or OPT grace period
• Are not applying for an H-1B via consular processing

Schedule an Appointment with an ISSS Advisor to discuss your eligibility and the application process.

J-1 Academic Training Options

J-1 exchange and degree-seeking students are eligible for up to 18 months of Academic Training (AT) authorization dependent on the length of their program. 

Concurrent AT

For exchange students at UIW for two semesters, you can take an internship course in your second term and be authorized for a off-campus internship for the duration of your second semester.  Your UIW Academic Advisor and home institution advisor must approve participation.  Be sure to attend the AT workshop hosted every March and October during your first semester before applying.

For degree-seeking students once they have completed 1 semester of study at UIW, you can take an internship course be authorized for an off-campus internship for the duration of the semester you take the course.  Schedule an Appointment with an ISSS Advisor to discuss your eligibility and the application process.

Post AT

For exchange students at UIW for two semesters, you can complete your program and work off campus in related positions to your program as recommended by your academic advisor and approved by your home institution. You can participate in an AT-approved position for 4 months if you are a one-semester student or 8 months if you are a two-semester student. Be sure to attend the AT workshop hosted every March and October during your first semester before applying. 

For degree-seeking students once you have completed your degree at UIW, you can work 12-18 months off campus in related positions to your program as recommended by your academic advisor. Other limitations may apply.   Schedule an Appointment with an ISSS Advisor to discuss your eligibility and the application process.