Employment Eligibility

Eligibility for Student Employment

(*Note: For Graduate Staff Appointments, please refer to the Terms and Conditions of Employment of Graduate Student Staff (Policy VI.F.11)) 

A “student” employee is defined as an individual who is at least a half-time undergraduate student or a half-time graduate/professional student whose intent is to obtain a degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credential. High school and non-Purdue students are also eligible to work in this employee class.

Graduating students who hold regular hourly student positions may continue employment in their existing hourly student position for up to 90 days after enrollment ends. Continued employment beyond this timeframe must be in another employee class.

All hourly paid student positions are temporary and thus not eligible to participate in the University staff benefits program. Full-time Purdue students are not eligible to work full-time in a benefits-eligible position at the University.

Employment of Minors

For employing minors, the pertinent laws of the state of Indiana and the United States must be followed. 

Employing International Students

International students may be eligible for student employment positions. The International Students & Scholars Office provides support and oversight for international student employment including eligibility and working hours.

Eligibility

In addition to other employment types, J-1 and F-1 students are eligible for on-campus hourly employment. Visa type determines the rules and regulations a student must follow in order to be employed. J-1 students must obtain authorization from the ISS Office for on-campus hourly employment. J-1 students need to obtain a J-1 Student Employment Information Form from the ISS Office, have the on-campus employer complete the form, and submit it to ISS for approval during the semester of employment. F-1 students are not required to obtain permission from the ISS Office prior to accepting on-campus employment.

Hours Per Week

J-1 and F-1 students are restricted to the amount of hours per week they may work:

• Fall/Spring academic semesters: maximum of 20 hours per week
• Semester breaks, official school/summer vacation: 40 hours per week
  • Exception: if a student is required to register during the summer, a maximum of 20 hours per week is permitted.

Please note that on-campus employment is not permitted after completion of a degree program unless the student:

• has been issued a Form DS 2019 to begin a new program and intends to enroll for the following semester, or
• has obtained Academic Training authorization to be employed on-campus.

Additional details for F-1 student employment

Additional details for J-1 student employment

Other Resources, Purdue ISS

Working in the United States, USCIS.gov

Background Checks

Background checks are required for all student employees at Purdue University.
(Reference: University Policy Office, Background Checks (VI.F.6) - http://www.purdue.edu/policies/human-resources/vif6.html)