Office of International Programs Homepage

Calendar of Events

For International Students and Scholars:
 • For New Students
 • For New Scholars
 • For Current Students and Scholars

Study Abroad:
 • General information
 • Study-Abroad Guide (51-page PDF)
 • Approved Programs
 • Summer Programs
 • Nairobi Exchange Program
 • BMC Study-Abroad Application Form (80K Word document)

You should always consult with the Office of International Programs (OIP) before beginning any employment. Please note that it is your responsibility to comply with all immigration regulations which apply to students in F-1 status, including employment regulations. Working without the proper authorization is a serious violation of your status; it renders you illegally present in the United States . Any illegal employment—even for one day, even if you did not know it was illegal—poses a grave threat to your ability to remain in or return to the U.S. Make sure that you have the necessary employment authorization before you begin work.

Eligibility Requirements

Different requirements exist for each type of employment, but there are basic requirements that must be met for any employment for students in F-1 status:

•  You must be enrolled for a full course of study (or have recently completed study, for post-completion optional practical training).

•  You must be authorized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and/or OIP to attend Bryn Mawr College .

Once employment is authorized you must maintain eligibility or you may lose your right to continue employment, even if it was authorized in writing.

Definition of “Employment”

“Employment” is any type of work performed or services provided in exchange for money, tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, food or any other benefit. If you receive no pay or other benefit for the work performed, this activity is not defined as employment, but is considered to be volunteer work.

Categories of F-1 Student Employment

•  On-Campus Employment

Bryn Mawr students in valid F-1 status are permitted to work on campus for a total of 17.5 hours per week when school is in session and 35 hours during the annual vacation * .

Type 1: Employment by Bryn Mawr.

Any work performed through the College's campus employment program, whether work in the dining rooms, the library, offices, or labs, is always acceptable. Work required by a fellowship or assistantship is also acceptable.

Type 2: Other Employment on Bryn Mawr's Premises.

This includes work performed on campus for an outside contractor or firm if this work provides direct services to students.

Type 3: Work Off Campus Which Qualifies as On-Campus Employment.

Certain types of employment performed at an off-campus are defined as “on-campus employment”: (1) the location is educationally affiliated with Bryn Mawr, (2) the educational affiliation is associated with Bryn Mawr's established curriculum or is related to a graduate level research project which BMC has contracted to perform, and (3) the work is an integral or important part of your program of study.

Working at Haverford and Swarthmore Colleges qualify as on-campus employment under this prevision. However, working at the University of Pennsylvania and Villanova University do not qualify under this prevision as the cooperative arrangements are limited.

•  Off-Campus Employment

To be eligible for off-campus employment, you must have been in F-1 status for one academic year. For a student who has changed to F-1 status, after registered as a full-time student in another visa status which permits a student to study (not including B1/B2) , the time in other status will count toward the nine-month requirement.

You are eligible for twelve months of optional practical training (OPT). OPT provides an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge obtained in an academic program to a practical work experience. This employment opportunity must be directly related to your major field of study. It may, in certain circumstances, be full or part time and may take place anywhere in the U.S. You may apply to use OPT during your vacation periods, during the academic year, or when you complete your studies. OPT requires authorization from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services/Vermont Service Center before you can start to work (this authorization typically takes eight to twelve weeks to obtain).

Some work experiences which are an integral part of your program of study may be the basis for curricular practical training employment authorization. These experiences may include internships, cooperative education programs, and practicum experiences which are either (1) a required part of your academic program, or (2) work for which you receive academic credit. Any student who works for one year or more in full-time curricular practical training is not eligible for optional practical training.

ype 3: Internship with an International Organization

If you are offered employment in the form of an internship by a recognized international organization, you may accept such employment upon receipt of authorization from the Citizenship and Immigration Services/Vermont Service Center. Examples of recognized organizations include the United Nations, the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, etc. For more information, consult with OIP.

If other employment opportunities are not available or are otherwise insufficient, you may request off-campus employment based upon severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond your control. Authorization to work must be approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services/Vermont Service Center.

Social Security Numbers and Taxes

If you plan to work in the U.S. (including on-campus) you must have a Social Security number. Please visit OIP for instructions on how to apply for a Social Security number. The Social Security Administration will process your application and a number will be sent to you in about two weeks.

In general, students in F-1 status who have been in the U.S. for less than five years are exempt from Social Security (also known as FICA) and Medicare taxes. You should be sure to bring this to the attention of your employer because many employers are not familiar with this provision of the tax laws. If you need more information about the F-1 social security and Medicare tax exemption, please see Internal Revenue Service Publication 519 U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens (available for downloading at http://www.irs.gov/).

Students in F-1 status are subject to all other taxes that may apply: federal, state and local (but check Publication 901 U.S. Tax Treaties to see if your country is one of the few that has a tax treaty with the U.S. allowing students to exclude a limited amount of earned income from federal taxation).

* Although US immigration regulations permit on-campus employment up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during the annual vacation, Bryn Mawr College procedures limit on-campus employment to 17.5 hours per week while school is in session and 35 hours per week during the annual vacation.