International Student Services: On-Campus Jobs

Students, faculty, and staff should review the terms below as they apply to F1 on-campus employment.  

• On Campus: Employment sponsored by McNeese in a McNeese facility, including the central campus, the McNeese Farm, Athletic Facilities, and the SEED Center. Before accepting a role, please contact International Student Services to confirm that the role qualifies as on campus.  

• Regular Terms: The Fall and Spring terms for a given academic year. During such times, students should strictly monitor their on-campus employment, ensuring that they do not surpass 20 hours per week. 

• Please note that students are ultimately accountable for ensuring that their total work hours do not exceed any limits. For example, a student working 10 hours at the bookstore and 15 hours at the SEED Center during a spring semester would be in violation of federal regulations.    

• Designated Breaks: Spring Break, Winter Break, Summer Break, and public holidays. While classes may not be in session, campus offices and services remain open for the majority of these breaks. F-1 students are eligible to work more than 20 hours per work week during official breaks. Please see Student Employment about the maximum number of hours permitted during the designated break periods. 

• Interim Periods: The gaps of time between designated breaks and the start of the next regular term. Like designated breaks, interim periods are also an exception to the 20-hour limit. Please see Student Employment about the maximum number of hours permitted during the interim periods. 

• School Policy: Students and their employers should understand that school policies regarding student employment may at times be more restrictive than federal regulations. For example, a federal policy may allow work up to 40 hours per week during designated breaks and interim periods, but school policy generally limits any student (regardless of immigration status) to a limited number of hours per week due to other employment law considerations. Federal policy allows schools to have their own policies as long as they do not exceed or otherwise violate federal regulations. 

When may an F1 visa holder begin on-campus employment? 

A student may typically begin as soon as their program of study begins.  

 

Am I guaranteed to find an on-campus job? 

No, on-campus employment is not guaranteed. Job opportunities, availability, and funding will vary every semester.  

 

Where do I go to apply for on-campus jobs? 

Our Human Resources department is a great point of contact; they are more than happy to sit down with students and discuss how to find jobs on campus. You can go to meet them in person at Smith Hall 110, or you can call them at 337-475-5989. You are also welcome to inquire directly with departments / offices where you are interested in working. 

You may also fill out this student employment interest form; this form will make your name available to people who may be hiring on campus. 

 

May a student begin employment before having a Social Security Number (SSN) in-hand? 

Yes, if you have completed all HR onboarding requirements and HR knows that you are actively working on obtaining your SSN, you are permitted to begin working while your SSN request is being processed. 

 

May a student work during the gap between ending one academic program and beginning another academic program at McNeese? 

If a student finishes a program and starts another program of study at the same campus, the student may continue on-campus employment as long as the student plans to enroll in the new program of study for the next term. 

 

May a student work on campus after completing their program (no intentions to re-enroll)? 

No, student positions are reserved for students actively enrolled at McNeese.  

 

Does working at another institution's campus qualify as “on-campus” employment? 

No, this kind of employment would not be in accordance with federal regulations for on-campus employment. CPT may be an option, if the work is curricular and otherwise meets CPT guidelines.  

 

What are the requirements for a student who transfers? 

When a student transfers to a new school, on-campus employment is available to the student only at the new school after the SEVIS record release date. The student cannot work at the prior school after the release date. 

 

What about campus-contracted employers (i.e., cafeteria and housing)? 

On-campus contractors who provide services directly to students may employ students with F1 visas. Please note that these contractors may have their own HR policies that create additional requirements.