Employment
Questions regarding employment at ESF should be directed to the Office of Human Resources.
Employment is any type of work performed or services provided in exchange for money, tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, food or any other benefit. If you receive no pay or other benefit for the work performed, this activity is not defined as employment, but is considered to be volunteer work. The most important employment issue is legal (or "authorized") versus illegal (or "unauthorized") employment. Unauthorized (i.e. illegal) employment for any length of time will jeopardize your ability to remain in or return to the United States. To ensure that your employment is legal, you must attend an employment seminar sponsored by the Slutzker Center for International Services (SCIS) before beginning any employment.
Eligibility
The basic requirements for F-1 employment are:
- You must be enrolled for a full course of study (or have recently completed study for post-completion optional practical training).
- You must be authorized by INS to attend SUNY ESF.
Once employment is authorized you must maintain eligibility or you will lose your right to continue employment, even if the permission was in writing.
Categories of F-1 Student Employment
I. On-Campus Employment. On-campus employment is usually permissible if it meets certain requirements. The authorization for on-campus employment is obtained from SCIS (a stamp is placed on the back of your I-20); INS authorization is not necessary. Work on-campus is limited to 20 hours per week when school is in session but may be up to 40 hours per week during holiday and vacations, when classes are not in session. INS defines on-campus employment as the following:
- Type 1: Employment at SUNY ESF: Any on-campus work for which you receive a paycheck (or other compensation, such as room and board, etc.) from SUNY ESF or the Research Foundation of New York.
- Type 2: On Campus Work Affiliated with an On-Site Commercial Firm. This includes work on-campus for a commercial firm if this work provides direct services to students.
- Type 3: Certain Off-Campus Employment where there is an official educational relationship between SUNY ESF and the off-campus employer. INS regulations allow work at an off-campus location provided (1) the location is educationally affiliated with SUNY ESF, (2) the educational affiliation is associated with your school's established curriculum or is related to a graduate level research project which your school has contracted to perform, and (3) the work is an integral or important part of your program of study.
International students are considered for assistantships and fellowships, but are not eligible for need-based student financial assistance.
