Explore the opportunities of work and study in the USA! Discover how to balance your academic pursuits with professional experience, enhance your skills, and immerse yourself in a diverse culture while building a successful future.

What is work and study in general?

Firstly, Federal Work and Study provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay their educational expenses.

And, the program encourages community service work and work related to the student’s course of study.

Hence, Work and study is either federally funded, or state-funded, and can help students pay for college by allowing them to work an on-campus job.

The positions are part-time, and students can earn a set amount of money.

Thus, once the money has been exhausted, the position is usually terminated, unless the department employing the student can continue funding their role.

Can I work and study together in USA?

A lot or many of you might be contemplating if you can be working while studying in the United States also, yes! You can work and study in USA.

Moreover, many colleges and universities offer work and study positions that provide the perfect opportunity to work and study at the same time.

At the same time, some of these positions are associated with a financial aid award that goes directly towards your expenses as a student, and some are jobs that are only open to student applicants.

Can international students work and study in USA

The United States has strict rules for international students who want to work and study at the same period.

Thus, International students enrolled full time and in valid F-1 status can generally work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during when classes are in session.

And up to 40 hours per week when classes are not.

Types of USA Student Visa

Hence, it is very important to know that The United States government offers three students visa types which are: F, J, and M.

• F Student Visa:for study at an accredited U.S. college or university or to study English at an English language institute
• J Exchange Visa:for participation in an exchange program, including high school and university study
• M Student Visa: for non-academic or vocational study or training in the United States

Eligibility for work and study in USA

Students awarded work and study as part of their financial aid package are generally students who have proven they have need of further assistance to pay for their education.

Therefore, you must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as the FAFSA, to determine your family’s eligibility for need-based financial aid.

The information you include on the FAFSA is used to calculate your expected family contribution, which will factor into your award.”

Method or Processes of Application

• Firstly, In order to apply for work and study, students absolutely must complete the FAFSA, as this is the only way to qualify.
• Once this has been completed and a student has been accepted to a university, they will generally receive a letter from the school’s financial aid office.
• This letter will outline the assistance a student has been awarded.
• Once the student has determined which or all of the awards they would like to accept, letting the financial aid office know is the next step.
• After letting your school know, try contacting the student employment or financial aid offices.

“They’ll probably have job banks or postings for you to look through. Typical work-study jobs range from working in the school’s library, to assisting professors with research or projects, to working in the dining hall”.

Additional information on work and study in USA

Therefore, Students can gain employment off-campus after completing their first academic year through programs specifically for international students seeking employment such as Optional Practical Training (OPT), Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension, and Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a program that allows international students in the United States to work temporarily up to 12 months.

Thus, OPT can be completed both before or after completing your studies, but it’s important to remember that you are only allowed to work 12 months total including pre-completion of degree and post-completion of degree.

Conclusion

But, International students who have an F-1 and M-1 visa are allowed to work on-campus and in specified training programs.

Students are not allowed to work off-campus during their first academic year.

Finally, On-campus jobs are student oriented such as working in the library, cafeteria, or student center.