On-campus work can be a great way to get meaningful professional experience in the US. There are lots of options at Boise State University, including the library, IT Helpdesk, housing, and in academic departments. Work as a graduate assistant is considered on-campus employment. In most cases, if your job takes place on-campus and directly serves Boise State students, then it is “on-campus work”. This means employment in the bookstore or cafeteria is acceptable, even if operated by a private commercial firm. If you are not sure about what counts as on-campus employment, please contact International Student Services.
Career Services has a lot of helpful information about how to find meaningful on-campus work.
In This Section:
On-campus Employment
Maintaining your F-1 or J-1 status
In good academic standing (have a minimum Boise State GPA of 2.0 or above)
Please note you are not eligible for jobs listed as “work-study” employment
J-1 students must get advance written permission from ISS before starting any job on campus
If you need assistance with your job search, you can contact the Career Center at (208) 426-5627 between 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Once you have a job offer, submit a Letter Request Form to the ISS office asking for a Social Security letter (if you don’t already have a Social Security Number). You need this letter when you do the Social Security number application. If you are new to Boise State University, you can request a support letter as part of your initial check-in process.
Go to the Social Security office located at 1249 Vinnell Way, Suite #101, and apply for a social security number. You will need to bring your immigration documents, the support letter, and your completed application. The Social Security Office may require you to be in the U.S. for several days before you apply for the application. If you have questions for the Social Security Office then you can reach them at (1-855-377-9316). If you already have a Social Security Number, you may skip this step.
Go to the Human Resources Office on campus to fill out the I-9 form and the Calculus Tax Treaty form. The office is located in the Capitol Village building. Please take the following documents with you:
– Passport, including a printout of your I-94
– I-20/DS-2019
– Student ID card
– Social Security card or the receipt showing you have applied for the card
Go to work!
Important: J-1 students must get advance written permission from ISS before starting any on-campus job. Please fill out the J1 Student On-Campus Employment Authorization Form with your supervisor.
Newly arrived Boise State students must have confirmation that their immigration check-in process has been fully processed before applying for a Social Security number and before completing the HR I-9 process.
Maximum 20 hours per week during Fall and Spring semesters for all jobs combined. For example, you cannot take on additional work if you have a 20-hour per week graduate assistantship.
You can work more than 20 hours per week during holidays like Spring break and Fall break, as well as during the summer vacation if you are eligible and intend to register for the next semester*
You cannot work on campus after you have completed your current program of study. If you would like to work after you have completed your program you should use F1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) or J1 Academic Training (AT).
If you are working as a Resident Assistant (RA) you may be limited in the additional work that you can take on-campus. Please consult an ISS advisor before accepting additional on-campus work.
* If you are moving between degree programs at Boise State University then you must have the I-20 or DS-2019 for the new program to be able to continue working on campus. Also, if summer is your first semester in a program then you are limited to 20 hours of work per week.
Please check with ISS if you have any questions about your eligibility to do on-campus work.