The United States of America is home to top-ranking universities, making it a favorable study destination for international students. Various institutions offer employment and work-study programs for international students. Entering a work-study program can be a great way to gain practical experience, make new friends, and earn extra money to help pay for your education and other living expenses.
If you are looking for the best work-study program, here is a list of five work-study programs in the USA for international students from some of the top universities in the country.
Work-Study Programs in the USA
1. Harvard University Work-Study Program
Harvard University offers work-study opportunities to international students, such as working in computer centers, libraries, administrative offices, and other employers on Harvard’s premises. International undergraduate students can work on campus while school is in session for a maximum of 20 hours per week, with the option of working full-time during Harvard’s vacation periods. If your total work hours stay within the suggested 20 per week, you can work as many jobs as you like.
Once you accept on-campus employment, you must apply for a Social Security Number for payroll and taxation purposes. Additionally, international students with F-1 status are eligible for 12 months of Optional Practical Training or 24 months of STEM OPT Extension after graduation. Other employment opportunities include working for international organizations and volunteering with the local community.
2. University of Pennsylvania Work-Study Program
International students at the University of Pennsylvania can only participate in on-campus work-study programs during the academic year. They can choose from work-study opportunities like research, administrative work, and teaching. However, once you secure a job, you must apply for a Social Security Number to be allowed to work and verify with the International Student and Scholar Services or ISSS if your position is deemed on-campus.
Furthermore, UPenn’s hiring manager must appoint you to a job requisition number from the employment portal, where you will complete the school’s onboarding tasks. You can work up to 20 hours per week during academic sessions and up to 40 hours per week during school breaks. Payment is made weekly and based on the number of reported hours worked. The school advises that students opt for direct deposit to receive their income. Moreover, there will be no reduction in the student’s university tuition due to the work-study grant.
3. Yale University Work-Study Program
Yale University offers work-study opportunities, including research, community outreach, and teaching positions. International students with F-1 or J-1 status who are enrolled in a full-time program of study are eligible for on-campus work-study programs. They may work up to 19 hours per week during school sessions and more than 20 hours during vacations or holidays. To be allowed to work on campus, you must also apply for a Social Security Number.
Other opportunities for work include the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) offered as part of the academic program or curriculum, working for recognized international organizations if in good academic standing, employment due to economic hardship, and the STEM OPT extension. If your work-study falls in the YALE School of Environment, you will receive $15.75 to $16.75 hourly. On the other hand, a teaching fellowship job pays students $5,400/semester for six to 10 hours a week and $10,800/semester for 15 to 20 hours a week.
4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Work-Study Program
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, or MIT, offers a comprehensive work-study program in the USA for international students in research and teaching assistantships. International undergraduate students can work on campus under federal regulations. The graduate students, however, are not eligible for work-study during a fully-funded semester.
On-campus employment is limited to 20 hours a week during school sessions and more hours on official vacation periods. If authorized and in good academic standing, F-1 students may also engage in off-campus employment opportunities. Options include the 12-month Optional Practical Training or the 24-month STEM OPT Extension.
U.S. immigration law mandates that all MIT employees, including student workers, must present identification documents, such as a Social Security number, to verify their identity and work permit in the country. To apply for a Social Security number as an F-1 student, one must be either currently employed or have a job offer with an expected start date within 30 days. Even without a promise of employment, J-1 students can still apply for a Social Security number, but there’s no assurance that they’ll get one.
5. University of California, Berkeley Work-Study Program
Despite not having “work-study” jobs available for international students, those with F-1 or J-1 status at the University of California, Berkeley, can choose from various on-campus opportunities in research, teaching, and administrative positions. Berkeley international students can apply for one of several work authorizations. However, they must follow the specific regulations for that purpose when applying for a work permit.
The Department of Homeland Security or DHS approval can take several months, but some may get authorization from the Berkeley International Office, or BIO, in a matter of months. F-1 students may work without authorization if Berkeley issues them I-20s. J-1 students, however, must obtain written approval from their program sponsor. You must apply for a Social Security Number for payment and taxation purposes and submit your I-20 form fully signed by a BIO adviser.
Students can work up to 20 hours per week on campus during academic sessions and more than 20 hours on holidays or during recess. Additionally, if you have a valid F-1 status, you may pursue a 12-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) opportunity or a 24-month STEM OPT Extension.
FAQs: Work-Study Programs in the USA
What is a Work-Study Program in the USA?
A work-study program is a part-time job for students with financial needs that allows them to earn money for college expenses. The income can be used to pay for tuition, books and supplies, transportation, and other education-related costs. Usually, work-study programs are set up differently at each institution in the USA. They involve on-campus and off-campus jobs related to your educational objectives or field of study. You will also find programs like Optional Practical Training and STEM OPT Extension for international students as part of employment or work-study.
Who is Eligible for Work-Study Programs in the USA?
Your eligibility for work-study programs in the USA depends on your nationality, educational level, visa status, and other factors. International students enrolled at a degree-granting college or a university in the country with an F-1 or J-1 visa are eligible for a work-study program. Other requirements to be eligible for work-study include superb academic standing or satisfactory academic progress each term and a valid student visa. Additionally, you must have completed one academic year of full-time studies or enrolled for at least six months before starting the work-study program.
What are the Benefits of Work-Study Programs in the USA?
For many students, work-study programs in the USA offer the perfect balance of academic studies and exciting work opportunities that are both educational and financially rewarding. With a work-study program, you can choose when and where you work and save money while gaining valuable job experience.
Work-study programs also give you access to crucial industry networks that can help you land future job opportunities. After completing your work-study program, employers are more likely to consider you for jobs due to your prior experience in the classroom and the workplace.
Finding the right work-study program in the USA may help you cover your tuition or living costs and provide valuable career experience. From on-campus work-study programs to Optional Practical Training or OPT opportunities, you can never run short of available programs from various institutions across the USA. So, use them to your advantage if you’re an international student applying for a university in the United States!
We hope this article on work-study programs in the USA for international students was informative and helpful. Feel free to visit our Study in the USA and the Open Courses in the USA for more information about the different universities and program opportunities in the country!
