On-Campus Employment

View the topics below for general guidelines in seeking and obtaining on-campus employment at Penn.

Students are generally permitted to work on campus:

• At the school that issued his/her valid I-20/DS-2019

• While attending that school AND maintaining F-1/J-1 Status

• Work for which a student receives a paycheck from Penn (i.e. work for Penn, on Penn Payroll, AND on Penn premises)

OR

• Work for which a student receives other compensation, e.g. room & board, from Penn

Work hours must not exceed 20 hours per week while school is in session. Students may work more than 20 hours per week only in these cases:

• During school breaks (e.g. Spring break or Thanksgiving) 

• During vacation periods (e.g. summer - unless first or last semester at Penn)

Not all Penn Affiliates or Entities are considered on-campus employment:

• Examples, not inclusive, of non-Penn sites: The Wistar Institute, CHOP, Unique Advantage, International House, Monell, Chemical Heritage Foundation, Red and Blue Call Center

• When eligible, additional authorization may be obtained from ISSS to work at these non-Penn sites. Contact your ISSS advisor for further details.

J-1 STUDENTS ONLY. Prior written permission from ISSS is required. Please complete the following:​

J-1 Student On-Campus Employment Authorization Request

F-1 STUDENTS ONLY. No additional authorization required. Work that meets certain requirements is permissible. 

• Employment by Penn

• Other Employment on Penn's Premises (includes work on campus for outside contractor if work provides direct services to students. Check with ISSS first.)

• Certain off-campus employment (where an official relationship between Penn & the employer exists)

DHS (Department of Homeland Security) regulations allow off-site work provided:

• Location is educationally affiliated with Penn and work is associated with Penn's established curriculum

• OR work is related to a graduate level research project which the university has contracted to perform (i.e. related to contractually funded research projects at the post-graduate level)

• The work must also be an integral or important part of your program of study.

• Clear documentation about the relationship between Penn and the employer is required. Please consult with an ISSS advisor for clearance in advance.