On-Campus Employment for J-1 Students

Students working china booth

Your J-1 status permits you to work on campus at the university that issued your DS-2019 with prior authorization in SEVIS while you are enrolled in a full course of study. Your Tulane DS-2019 and letter of the work being authorized in SEVIS is your proof of work eligibility for on-campus employment at Tulane University only. You must maintain J-1 status to be eligible for this employment benefit; maintaining status means that you are a full-time registered student (except for approved exceptions) in good academic standing with a DS-2019.

Finding a Campus Job

Set up an account at tulane.joinhandshake.com/login This database advertises on-campus jobs. You can find tips about setting up your Handshake account here. On-campus jobs are also advertised on flyers posted around campus, in elevators, office bulletin boards, etc. Some of the biggest on-campus employers are the Reily Center, the LBC, the Athletics Department and the Howard Tilton Memorial Library. Human Resources and OISS has compiled a list of departments across campus that tend to hire more international students as well.

Definition of On-Campus Employment

Employment for Tulane University. Examples: teaching assistant, research assistant, library student worker, etc.
Work performed at a campus location for a commercial firm providing direct services to students (P.J.’s.).
Employment at an off-campus location which is educationally affiliated with Tulane University. The educational affiliation must be associated with your academic department's established curriculum or related to contractually funded projects at the post-graduate level and be an integral part of your program. OISS interprets this to mean that the employment itself must be an integral part of your established program. This particular definition of on-campus employment is very rarely applied. Given the size of Tulane and its various connections with many local and national organizations, it can be challenging to determine if this definition is applicable. Please consult OISS for guidance.

Time Limits

Part-time (20 hours per week or less) during your regular full-time semesters (academic semester dates are set by the TULANE academic calendar and include finals week)

Full-time (more than 20 hours per week) between semesters

Full-time (more than 20 hours per week) during summer vacation

Graduate students: if you have a teaching or research assistantship, this reaches the 20-hour-per-week limit to on-campus employment. If you have the opportunity for additional employment on campus, you must consult your OISS adviser about additional work authorization.

Expiration of On-Campus Employment Eligibility

Your on-campus employment eligibility:

When you graduate; it expires the last day of your final semester (per TULANE calendar), even if your DS-2019 expiration date is in the future.

If you transfer to another university; your work authorization expires on the day of your SEVIS record release date.

If you violate your J-1 status.

Request Work Authorization from OISS

Usually your on-campus work will be authorized in SEVIS by OISS staff when you request a Social Security letter. If you already have a Social Security number, please submit your job description to OISS at oiss@tulane.edu to request approval. You will be given written confirmation of this approval.

Work Study

Some campus jobs are designated as "work study" positions. This job description might include a statement such as: "position only open to Tulane University students who qualify for (federal) work study awards." Work study awards are part of federal financial aid packages and are only available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. As a J-1 student, generally you are not eligible for a work study position and should not apply.

Your Responsibility: Know the Rules!

It is your responsibility to research and understand your on-campus work eligibility. It is generally not the job of Tulane University staff outside of OISS to thoroughly know the immigration regulations. It is possible that you will be offered employment that you are not eligible to accept or for your employment eligibility to expire without your payroll coordinator notifying you. Be sure to review all information provided by OISS staff and consult OISS if you have concerns or questions.

Applying for a Social Security Number

Schedule an appointment with an OISS advisor