This document provides guidelines for students seeking on-campus employment at Columbia University. It outlines eligibility requirements including enrollment status and necessary identification documents. It describes how to find and apply for jobs posted on ColumbiaWorks and the hiring process including setting a work schedule, completing paperwork, and getting set up for direct deposit pay. International students have additional steps to obtain a social security number. The document also covers allowable work hours and schedules, pay dates, and responsibilities of students and supervisors.

1. Student Quick Guide:
Work On-campus

2. General Eligibility Requirements
• Be enrolled for at least 6 credit hours in a degree program
• Federal Work-Study and International students must be enrolled
full-time
• Have identification documents:
Typically used - U.S. Passport, or
Social Security Card and a Current Driver's License/or
State ID
• Permanent Residents must show their alien registration document
(green card)
• International students must have a valid passport, F1 Visa, and
I-20.
• International students who do not have a social security card
must apply for one when hired

3. Looking for On-campus Jobs
• View job openings posted on ColumbiaWorks
• Submit a resume and completed application through
ColumbiaWorks to apply for jobs on campus
• Your application will be sent to the department
contact person listed on the job posting
• The department will arrange a job interview if you
are selected as a candidate for the job
• The department, not Student Employment, hires
students for available jobs.

4. Hiring Process
• Arrange a work schedule that does not conflict with
your classes
• Your supervisor will complete your Work
Authorization form online
• Never worked on campus? Before you start working,
bring your “identification documents” to Student
Employment to be placed on payroll
• Also bring a voided check or ACH letter from your
bank with the bank’s routing number and your
account number
• You receive your check through direct deposit. The
Payroll Office will assist you if you don't have a
checking or savings account

5. Hiring Process (continued)
• International students who don’t have a social
security number, must take letters from the
Assistant Dean of International Student Affairs
and Student Employment to the Social Security
Administration to apply for a social security card
• International students are not paid until the
social security card is issued.
• Federal and state taxes will be taken out of your
paycheck based on how you complete the W-4 tax
withholding forms
• Student Employment processes students for payroll
Monday - Thursday from 10am to 3pm

6. Summer Employment
• Your supervisor will evaluate your job performance at the end
of the Spring semester and notify you if you are rehired for the
Summer
• Students must be enrolled for the Summer or registered for the
Fall for at least 6 credit hours
• Social Security tax (FICA) will be deducted from your earnings
if you are not enrolled for the summer
• Your supervisors will inform you if you will work more than 20
hours a week during the Summer
• Federal Work-Study funds are limited
• Summer Federal Work-Study earnings may be used as a resource
for the next semester
• Speak with Student Financial Services concerning summer Federal
Work Study

7. On the Job
• Review your work authorization and job description with your
supervisor to make sure you are on payroll and understand your
job duties
• Be eager to learn, and dress appropriately for the office
• Report to work on time and always inform your supervisor if you
will be late or absent
• Know that you can be terminated for repeated tardiness,
absenteeism, or poor job performance
• Your supervisor will evaluate your job performance at the end
of the spring semester or the end of your employment
• Know that you cannot work in more than one on-campus job at the
same time
• All student employees are required to read this handy
Student Employment Guide

8. Work Schedule
• You and your supervisor will determine your work
schedule
• You cannot work more than 8 hours a day
• Student Workers and Federal Work-Study students
cannot work more than 20 hours a week
• Students hired in hourly part-time jobs may work up
to 30 hours a week
• You will only be paid for hours you work. You will
not be paid for vacation time, sick time, holidays,
or a lunch hour

9. Work Schedule (continued)
• Your earnings are not applied to your tuition and
fees
• You will be paid on the 1st and 15th of each month
through direct deposit
• Your supervisor should explain how your work hours
will be documented (sign in sheets, online, etc.)
• Your supervisor is also responsible for submitting
your time to Payroll each pay period per the
"timesheet due date" listed on the hourly Payroll
Schedule
• Know who can enter your time if your supervisor is
not available when the timesheet is due.