3.2 Definitions of Student Employment Status

Purpose

To provide guidelines and definitions for supervisors as they hire student employees at Rochester University under compliance rules of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and RC policy.

Scope

The policy applies to all students who are working for RC while attending school at RC.

Policy

Students who are employed by RC are exempt from paying Social Security taxes if they are enrolled and attending classes in a minimum of half-time hours (International students see section below). This exemption applies to employment which continues during school breaks of 5 weeks or less. Any break that lasts more than 5 weeks discontinues the Social Security Tax Exemption.

If an International student holds an F-1, J-1, M-1 or Q-1 Visa and is classified as a non-resident alien, he/she is exempt from paying Social Security taxes.

Students are to work no more than 20 hours per week while classes are in session. This includes all RC jobs. If a student holds more than one position, the cumulative hours are to be no more than 20 hours while classes are in session. If a student works over a school break in which he/she is not taking classes, the student may work up to 25 hours a week as approved by his/her supervisor. Students who are determined eligible for the Federal Work Study program receive first priority for placement in an on campus job. Due to the limited number of on campus positions, students should only hold one position on campus.

Students desiring to work between semesters or over the summer must be pre-enrolled for the upcoming semester in order to work on campus. Students are not allowed to work on campus as student worker after graduating from Rochester University.

International Students

The INS requires that an international student must be enrolled in 12 undergraduate hours or 9 graduate hours to be eligible to work at RC. The international student does not have to be enrolled in order to work during the Summer term, but must be pre-enrolled for the upcoming Fall semester to work.