On-Campus Employment
Working on-campus is a valuable opportunity for international students to gain professional experience, build their résumé, and develop essential workplace skills.
On-campus employment refers to work that takes place:
- On Adelphi’s campus, or
- At an off-campus location that is educationally affiliated with the university
Students are responsible for maintaining:
- Valid immigration status
- Employment eligibility
- Normal academic progress
- Filing income taxes as required with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Eligibility for Working On-Campus
All on-campus employment must be reviewed and approved in advance by International Services.
Students in F-1 status may work on-campus if you:
- Are a full-time student at Adelphi in a degree or eligible non-degree program for which you were issued a Form I-20
- Have a valid, unexpired Form I-20 from Adelphi
- Have a valid, unexpired passport
- Have an I-94 record indicating F-1 status
- Have received authorization for on-campus employment
- Be enrolled full-time
- Be in good academic standing
Students in J-1 status may work on-campus if you:
- Are a full-time student at Adelphi for which you were issued a Form DS-2019
- Have a valid, unexpired Form DS-2019 from Adelphi
- Have a valid, unexpired passport
- Have an I-94 record indicating J-1 status
- Have received authorization for on-campus employment
- Be enrolled full-time
- Be in good academic standing
Beginning Work
- New students may begin on-campus employment up to 30 days prior to the start of classes listed on the Form I-20 or DS-2019.
- Transfer students may begin employment at Adelphi after the SEVIS transfer release date.
Program Completion
Students who:
- Have completed their program
- Have graduated
- Will not return for the next term
You must stop working as of the last day of classes for the semester, as listed in the University’s Academic Calendar.
Students continuing their studies at Adelphi must obtain a Change of Educational Level I-20 to continue employment.
Rules and Limits for On-Campus Employment
Employment must take place:
- On Adelphi’s premises with the school as the employer or on-location commercial firms which provide direct services for students on campus, such as the school bookstore or cafeteria, or
- At an educationally affiliated off-campus site
Students may work on-campus throughout the period they are:
- Enrolled full-time
- Maintaining valid F-1 or J-1 status
Employment must end on the last day of classes in the student’s final semester unless continuing at Adelphi with a new I-20.
- Limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session
- May be full-time during official school breaks and annual vacation
- Adelphi’s work week runs Monday through Sunday
The 20-hour weekly limit applies to the combined total of all on-campus positions, including:
- Adjunct teaching
- Teaching assistantships
- Graduate assistantships
- Student worker roles
Students may not exceed 20 hours per week across all positions while school is in session.
Special Situations
- Students on Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT): Students on post-completion OPT may pursue employment directly related to their field of study. Employment must:
- Be approved by Human Resources
- Be funded through an administrative (non-student) budget line
- Students on Authorized Curricular Practical Training (CPT): F-1 regulations governing on-campus employment and CPT are separate. There is no federal regulation prohibiting students from engaging in both simultaneously, and Adelphi permits it.
How to Find an On-Campus Job
To find an on-campus job, visit Handshake, Adelphi’s job and internship recruiting platform for students and alumni.
For assistance in finding a job or offering guidance, please contact the Center for Career and Professional Development at careercounselor@adelphi.edu.
After You Receive a Job Offer
After receiving a job offer, contact International Services for:
- Temporary authorization to begin working
- Guidance on applying for a Social Security Number (if needed)
- Instructions for completing tax forms and employment documentation
- Support throughout the authorization process
The Hiring and Approval Process
Before You Begin Working
The letter must:
- Be addressed to the student using the U.S. Physical Address
- Be on Adelphi letterhead
- Include a wet signature
- Be dated within 30 days of your job start date
It must also include:
- Legal name (exactly as shown in your passport)
- Job title and short description
- Employment start date
- Hours per week
- Employer EIN # (Adelphi University: 111630741)
Note: Adelphi Dining, the Bookstore, and other campus employers may use a different EIN
- Supervisor name, title, and U.S. phone number
- Submit through the International Services Portal
- Upload your hiring letter
- International Services will prepare your SSA support documents
- You will receive an email when your documents are ready for pick-up
You have three pay periods (six weeks) from your employment start date to complete all required steps.
If you do not complete all actions within that time, you must stop working until Human Resources reauthorizes you.
After Receiving Temporary Authorization
Schedule an appointment at your local Social Security Administration office (in the county where you physically live).
Bring the following original documents (photocopies are accepted):
- DSO Employment Authorization Letter
- Updated Form I-20 or DS-2019
- Completed Form SS-5 (available at ssa.gov/ssnumber)
- I-94 Arrival Record (download at i94.cbp.dhs.gov)
- Unexpired Passport
- Hiring letter
- SSN card typically arrives in 2–3 weeks
- If you do not receive your card within 3 weeks, call the Social Security Administration at 1.800.772.1213.
After Receiving Your SSN
Email is@adelphi.edu to communicate receipt of the SSN card.
- Complete the Change of Personal Identification Form.
- Submit the form and your SSN card to the One Stop Student Services Center (Levermore Hall, Lower Level).
- Payroll will email instructions with a secure link
- Required documents: SSN card, passport, I-20 or DS-2019
- Submit all forms electronically
- Allow 3–5 business days for review
If you have any questions, please email payroll@adelphi.edu.
Submit the following to the Office of Human Resources located in Levermore Hall, Room 203:
- Completed International Student Employee Paperwork
- Form I-20/DS-2019
- I-94 Arrival Document
- Social Security Card
- Valid Passport
If you have any questions, please email humanresources@adelphi.edu.
Filing Income Taxes
All international students employed on-campus are responsible for filing annual tax forms.
- Federal tax filing obligations are governed by the Internal Revenue Service.
- State tax filing obligations are governed by the Department of Taxation and Finance in the state where you received income.
Student Employment Authorization Process Guide
- Already in the system and cleared for on-campus employment
- Can continue working without additional authorization unless employment conditions change
- Must submit the On-Campus Employment Authorization request in the International Services Portal
- Must obtain a Social Security Number (SSN)
- Must complete Change of Personal Identification Form (One Stop Student Services Center)
- Must complete Taxform Process (Payroll Office)
- Must complete Human Resources Process (Human Resources)
- Must submit the On-Campus Employment Authorization request in the International Services Portal
- SSN not required
- Must complete Change of Personal Identification Form (One Stop Student Services Center)
- Must complete Taxform Process (Payroll Office)
- Must complete Human Resources Process (Human Resources)
