Related Info
Obtain a Social Security Number
Steps for Beginning On-Campus Employment
Did you know that Off-Campus Employment Workshops are held weekly at the ISSO?
Employment Workshops include Curricular Practical Training (CPT, for F-1 visa holders), Optional Practical Training (OPT, for F-1 visa holders) and Academic Training (for J-1 Visa Holders).
Check out "Upcoming Events" on the ISSO Home Page for workshop dates!
OPT/CPT Drop Off Hours
Mondays 10am-1pm
Tuesdays 1-4pm
Thursdays 10am-1pm
Fridays 1-4pm
Tips for Finding an On-Campus Job
Check out job opportunities on the Student Financial Services web site.
Go through the Brandeis University web site and get acquainted with the various offices and services on campus. You may find that you have prior work experience or particular skills which make you well-suited for employment within a particular department on campus.
International Student Employment
Beginning employment (both paid or unpaid) without first obtaining proper Employment Authorization is a serious violation of F-1 or J-1 visa status.
On-Campus Employment
On-campus employment includes jobs that are paid by Brandeis University. In addition to offices on the Brandeis campus, on-campus employment also includes Java City, Aramark Dining Services and the Brandeis Bookstore. The Lemberg Children’s Center is NOT considered on-campus employment.
F-1 and J-1 students may work up to 20 hours per week during the academic semester. Working more than 20 hours per week during the academic semester is a violation of visa status.
F-1 and J-1 students may work up to 40 hours a week during University vacation periods.
J-1 Visa Holders:
All J-1 on-campus employment must be authorized by the program sponsor in writing before beginning on-campus employment.
J-1 students who were issued a DS-2019 by Brandeis University should request a J-1 On-Campus Work Authorization Letter from the ISSO before beginning on-campus employment. To request your employment to be authorized in SEVIS, please bring your New Hire/Rehire form or Fellowship award letter (the letter should include your job title, hiring department, supervisor name, start and end date and hours worked per week) to the ISSO.
The ISSO must authorize each on-campus job separately. The ISSO must re-authorize employment once per year if you are continuing employment with the same department.
J-1 students who have a program sponsor other than Brandeis University should check with their sponsor to verify if on-campus employment can be authorized. Some program sponsors do not allow their students to work on-campus or limit employment to fewer than 20 hours per week. Please also note that working on-campus may reduce a sponsored student's stipend. Please check with your program sponsor if you have questions about employment. J-1 sponsored students should bring a letter from their program sponsor to the ISSO verifying their eligibility to work on-campus before beginning on-campus employment.
Ph.D. Students:
If you are awarded a fellowship, you are eligible to apply for a social security number based on that fellowship. Fellowships are equivalent to 16 hours of employment, which means you can engage in four additional hours of employment per week either within your department, or in a job elsewhere on campus.
Off-Campus Employment Authorization
For F-1 and J-1 visa holders, all off-campus employment must be authorized before beginning employment.
F-1 Student Visa Holders:
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Optional Practical Training (OPT)