College of St. Scholastica, International Student Services, Employment information

On campus Employment

International Students have authorization to work by immigration on the college campus as soon as classes begin for new students. Transfer students can begin work immediately if they have a Social Security number. Immigration allows international students to work 20 hours per week. However, St. Scholastica has a limited number ofon campus work positions and therefore are only able to offer freshmen students 10 hours a week of employment and Sophomore students 15 hours per week.

On campus employment for international students is not guaranteed but a priority is given to students who have been awarded on campus work as part of their student scholarship. The way that you will know whether on campus work has been awarded to you is by looking at your I-20. On the I-20 in section number 8 part d. there will be an amount of $0.00 if you have not been awarded on campus employment and an amount of approximately $2000 if you have been awarded on campus employment.

If you have not been awarded on campus employment as part of your international student scholarship, you will have to wait 3-4 weeks until students with priority status have found work. If you do not find on campus work the first semester that you arrive at the college, you will have to wait another 3-4 weeks at the beginning of the next semester before you can apply for jobs.

It is vital that international students try to obtain an on campus employment before arriving on campus. There are not many jobs available on campus and they go quickly. While the students are here on campus they look at the list of jobs on campus and apply for these jobs. Many departments may wish specific information about the skills needed to complete the job tasks. This is especially true for office assistant positions, they will require good computer skills and knowledge of different computer applications. Information regarding specific jobs available will be sent to students as they prepare to arrive at the College.

If you are unsure of what skills are needed for a job, then ask the Supervisor listed by the job position. If you are interested in a particular position use the e-mail address for the Supervisor listed and request that you be considered for the job. If the position requires certain skills (like office Assistant) then explain what skills you have to offer. Keep the emails brief as Supervisors will receive many, you can send emails for more than one position.

On Campus Employment Website. For more detailed questions about on campus employment please contact Jonna Marholz - Coordinator of on campus employment.

Off campus Employment

U.S. Immigration regulations state that students on an F-1 visa are not allowed to work off campus without specific authorization. There are three options for working off campus and these will be discussed at international student orientation and at workshops organized for students interested.

Social Security Numbers and Cards

In order to work on or off campus you are required to apply for a Social Security Card. The number on this card is unique to only the person whose name is on the card. This is the equivalent of a national identity number and is used for many purposes. The main purpose is to track people working in the United States.

As an international student, in order to apply for a Social Security Card, the applicant must have already found a job. Therefore it is vital that students spend time in the summer or once on campus to secure a job.

Information on how to apply for a Social Security Card will be made available at international orientation.