Student Services
Welcome to Student Employment at Cornell!
If you are a newly accepted Cornell student (or interested in attending Cornell someday) the following information provides answers to the commonly asked questions about working as a student.
In addition to the material presented in theis section, we encourage you to also read throught our web site for additional employment related information.
All students who meet Cornell's employment eligibility requirements may work at Cornell - regardless of their financial aid status.
Please contact our staff if you need further information about student employment at Cornell University!
WHY SHOULD YOU WORK?
Working just a few hours a week provides you with a multitude of benefits. You will meet new people and adapt more quickly to your new environment. You will develop new skills and improve existing skills while building a network of contacts and good references that will ultimately increase your marketability for summer and post-Cornell jobs. Working part-time also helps improve your time-management skills. Not to mention you'll earn money to help cover some of your Cornell expenses!
ARE THERE PRE-REQUISITES TO A JOB SEARCH?
You must be registered full-time, have a Cornell NetID to access the job listings, and be able to prove your identity and your eligibility to work in the United States (refer to I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification). Finally, all student employees, including foreign nationals, must have an official social security number issued from the Social Security Administration.
WHO CAN WORK?
Any student registered full-time in a degree program, attending classes, in good standing at Cornell without registration, bursar or other holds should be eligible to work. However, if you are not registered or your status at Cornell changes you will not be employment eligible, your job will be terminated, and you will not be paid.
CAN FOREIGN NATIONAL STUDENTS WORK?
Visa status and treaty agreements stipulate employment eligibility for international students. Most students with F1 and J1 visa status are eligible to work on-campus up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session.
The International Students and Scholars web page provides detailed information and special restrictions related to employment eligibility (http://www.isso.cornell.edu).
The Payroll web page provides tax information, including the Foreign National Questionnaire.
WHEN CAN YOU WORK?
Part-time jobs are available during the academic year, the summer, and during spring and winter breaks. Some jobs are short-term; others may last a semester or the entire academic year. Students work during free time between classes, or at the end of the day, during the evening, or only on weekends. Some employers offer flexible work schedules; others require a fixed schedule to meet department needs.
WHERE CAN YOU WORK?
Most Cornell departments offer hourly student job opportunities. Other jobs can be found in the local community in retail, hospitality, and with non-profit organizations.
HOW MANY HOURS SHOULD YOU WORK?
You make that decision based on your class schedule, extra-curricular, sports, and volunteer activities - balanced with your need to earn money. While classes are in session we recommend you work no more than 20 hours per week, but during the summer and vacation breaks you can work full-time.
HOW DO YOU FIND A JOB?
A successful job search uses multiple resources. First, for jobs at Cornell and in the local area, regularly check the job postings on uportal.cornell.edu / Student Jobs or on Bear Access under Student Services/Student Jobs and Internships. For jobs and internships outside the Ithaca area, register for CornellTRAK through Cornell Career Services. Next, network with classmates, dorm-mates, staff, and faculty. Networking is the most successful job search method. Also, use phone directories to identify and contact departments and businesses that interest you. Finally, check bulletin boards, storefronts, and the local papers for help-wanted notices.
WHAT ARE STUDENTS PAID
The Cornell Student Job and Wage System governs student positions and wages. Hourly jobs are classified into four grade levels depending on job responsibilities, required skills and experience, level of supervision, and degree of decision-making. Your hourly wage is also based on equity within the department. Each grade level has a wage range for new hires.
HOW ARE YOU PAID
Hourly employees are paid bi-weekly by submitting their hours worked through one of our electronic time collection systems. Your earnings are not credited to your Bursar bill. The money earned is yours to spend as needed to help meet your educational expenses, so you are paid through direct deposit into your personal bank account, or by check.
DO STUDENT EMPLOYEES GET RAISES?
Departments are encouraged but not required to give raises based on merit. Additionally, some employees may receive a pay increase with a corresponding increase in job responsibilities.
ARE STUDENT WAGES TAXED?
All wages, including Federal Work-Study wages, are considered taxable income. While classes are in session FICA (social security) tax is not assessed, but federal and state taxes are applied depending on citizenship, amount earned each pay period, and the number of deductions claimed on your W4. Some foreign nationals may be exempt from certain taxes as determined by completing the Foreign National Questionnaire. For tax information: (http://payroll.cornell.edu/)
WHAT IS FEDERAL WORK-STUDY (FWS)?
If you receive financial aid, FWS may be part of the self-help portion (loans and employment) of your package. FWS is the amount of money you need to earn through employment to help meet your educational expenses. If you have FWS eligibility, the employer pays part of your wages and the federal government pays the balance. This saves the employer money and makes you an appealing job applicant. Your wages are paid to you through Direct Deposit or by check. FWS is not credited to your Bursar account; your earnings are yours to spend as needed. FWS is awarded specifically for the academic year or the summer and can be used with most on-campus jobs. It can also be used off-campus in pre-approved non-Cornell jobs. If you do not work or earn your total FWS eligibility, the balance is not converted into cash or rolled over for use in the next employment term. Foreign nationals are not eligible for FWS.
ARE THERE JOBS FOR STUDENTS WITHOUT FWS?
Although some Cornell departments can afford to hire only FWS students, most employers want to hire the best applicant regardless of work-study eligibility. Three quarters of Cornell's student jobs are non-work-study, which means the department pays 100% of your wages.
AM I GUARANTEED A JOB?
Cornell does not place students in jobs and no job at Cornell is guaranteed. Ultimately, it is up to you to conduct a job search, to apply for jobs, interview, and be hired. Although Cornell is an "at will" employer (meaning any job can be terminated with or without cause at any time), our employers strive to retain students who prove they are skilled, hard-working, dedicated employees.
ARE THERE STUDENT EMPLOYMENT POLICIES?
Yes. You can read through the Policy Manual (which is currently undergoing updates) at (http://www.sas.cornell.edu/SES/policy.html).
You should also read through the Student Employee Requirements, Responsibilities, & Rights information at (http://www.sas.cornell.edu/SES/rights.html).