FAQs about On-Campus (*non-Work Study) Jobs for International Students
Important Note FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: When conducting your job search, you must avoid / ignore jobs labeled "Work Study". These jobs are actually a form of US government financial aid, available only to US Citizens and Permanent Residents. International students are NOT eligible for Work Study jobs.
What kinds of non-Work Study jobs are available on campus?
There are many opportunities for students to work on campus and they are available in many departments. These students, often called Student Assistants (SAs), perform many functions for departments from clerical and reception work, to cooking and serving food, to officiating at sports events, to shelving books, to assisting a professor or graduate student with research. Virtually every department has at least one non-Work Study Student Assistant.
For graduate students, there are also three types of assistantships available: Graduate Assistantships (GAs), Teaching Assistantships (TAs) and Research Assistantships (RAs). GAs and TAs are awarded directly by academic or administrative departments. RAs are usually awarded by individual faculty members. TAs and RAs are typically given to students in that particular department, while Graduate Assistantships are typically administrative positions and may be awarded to students from a variety of departments.
Graduate students who are looking for a TA or RA position should go to their department first.
Where can I go to find on campus jobs?
Although there is not one place to search for all on-campus jobs, Career Services often receives campus listings. To view them log in to BullsEye to the right.
You should also seek out unadvertised openings. One of the best ways to find employment is to identify departments in which you are interested and approach them to see if they hire students. Here are some links to major on-campus employers.
For a directory of University offices, go to www.buffalo.edu/directory/ 
. Undergraduates may also ask faculty about the possibility of a position as an undergraduate Research Assistant (RA).
You may also look for advertised positions in the "Help Wanted" section of The Spectrum, UB's student newspaper that comes out each Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the academic year. Advertised positions may also appear as notices on bulletin boards as well. Please note that international students are not permitted to work off-campus without special work authorization from ISSS and USCIS. You may want to watch this workshop on Finding an On-Campus Job.
* International students are NOT eligible for Work Study jobs
How many hours can I work?
UB and U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations permit international students to work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and up to 40 hours per week during summer, winter and spring breaks.
How much money can I expect to make?
Minimum wage is $7.15 per hour. Most Student Assistants start out at minimum wage and may receive a raise after a period of time, depending on funding availability and performance. You will find that Student Assistant wages will cover the cost of books and incidental expenses, but not tuition, housing and other large expenses.
GAs, TAs, and RAs receive a cash stipend, which varies according to department. They may also receive a full or partial tuition waiver that does not cover fees, insurance or room and board. These positions can be for one semester, an academic year (10 months) or a full 12 months. They are renewable at the discretion of the department and availability of funding. Some departments limit the number of years a student may hold an assistantship.
As paperwork must be processed both on campus and at SUNY Central Administration in Albany, your first check may be delayed as much as four weeks. Please note that time sheets must be turned in on schedule. UB's Payroll office has no discretion; if a time sheet is late, it "rolls over" to the next pay period.
What documents do I need to apply for the job?
Some departments may require that you complete an application or submit a resume. All departments are required by USCIS regulations to verify your authorization to work in the United States. In order to verify your eligibility for work in the U.S., you will need to fill out an I-9 form and present additional documentation. Some examples are: Social Security card and driver's license, valid foreign passport and I-20, etc. Do not delay bringing your documents to your employer; you are not allowed to begin working until this requirement is satisfied!
What documents do I need to start working?
You will need to fill out New York State (IT-2104) and Federal Tax forms (W-4 forms) to determine how much tax will be taken from your paycheck. A higher number of exemptions will result in fewer taxes being withheld, but you may end up owing a considerable amount at the end of the tax year.
You may also need to complete an Oath of Office form, depending on your position. This form asks you to take an oath to uphold the laws of the State of New York and the University at Buffalo. Human Resource Services, located at 120 Crofts Hall or hr.buffalo.edu
can provide you with copies of specific regulations at your request.
How do I apply for a Social Security Number (SSN)?
Students should contact International Student and Scholar Services, 210 Talbert Hall, 645-2258, to inquire about obtaining a social security number.
