Working Through School

In addition to financial aid, another way many Americans finance their studies is to work their way through school. Many Americans would never finish their degrees without working to help pay the costs. Unfortunately, this option is not immediately available to foreign students studying in the United States.

Many colleges do offer work-study programs to foreign students. These jobs usually entail manning a help desk, working at the library, or maybe even mowing the campus lawns. Payment for these jobs is generally low, but every dollar can help when it comes time to buy another textbook or if you plan on eating more than microwave popcorn nightly!

Foreign students are limited to working 20 hours a week, on or off-campus (although off-campus requires special authorization and is available only after the first academic year — see below), so you should not depend on work to provide you with much money during the school year. During holidays and school vacation, however, a foreign student with the proper paperwork can work an unlimited number of hours on-campus, so you may be able to earn a significant amount over the summers.


Working Off-Campus

As a foreign student, finding work off-campus in the United States is not an option at first, but once you have spent a year in the United States you may be eligible for a special student work permit that allows you to work off-campus.

After you have been studying in the United States for a year, go to the International Student’s Office at your school or to the school’s Registrar’s Office, and they can give you the necessary forms to apply to work off campus. Only the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can grant you permission, but your school can help you apply.

If you are approved, you will still be limited to working no more than 20 hours a week while school is in session, although you may work full-time during holidays or school vacation. Being able to work off-campus during the summers not only helps with money, but also allows you the opportunity to accumulate valuable work experience while you are still a student.

For links to specific regulations and forms, see Becoming an Academic Student in the U.S. in the Visa & Immigration area of our website.