International Students and Employment

Getting started

As an international student at Central Michigan University, you are eligible to apply for on campus General Student Assistant, GSA, positions.

All available GSA opportunities are posted in Career Central, CMU’s official student employment platform. Your student account is automatically created, so you can log in using your CMU credentials and begin exploring open positions right away. We encourage you to check Career Central regularly, as new positions are added throughout the semester. If you have questions about eligibility, the student employment process, or need assistance accessing your Career Central account, Student Employment Services is here to help.

PLEASE NOTE: 
Work-Study positions are not available to international students. Work-Study roles are funded through U.S. federal financial aid and are reserved for eligible domestic students.

Off-Campus Employment: International students interested in working off campus must contact International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) to confirm their eligibility and obtain approval before accepting or beginning any off-campus employment.

International students are limited to working 20 hours per week during the Academic Year (40 per week during the Summer) all positions combined including Graduate Assistantships. 

Once you've been offered a job

Step 1: Get a Work Verification Form
Visit Student Employment Services (Bovee UC 121) to receive your Work Verification Form

Step 2: Have your supervisor complete the Form
Take the form to your new supervisor and ask them to fill it out completely.

Step 3: Request your Employment Letter from International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS).
Using your completed Work Verification Form, request an Employment Letter from ISSS.

  • Log in to the International Student Portal 
  • Under “Reason for Letter,” choose:
    • “To apply for a Social Security Card to begin employment”
  • Your Employment Letter will be available for pickup at the ISSS office within 5-7 days, confirmation of pickup will be emailed to you.

    Step 4: Schedule a Social Security Administration (SSA) appointment: Visit Student Employment Services (Bovee UC 121) to schedule your appointment with the Social Security Administration (SSA).

    • I-94
    • Employment Letter

    Step 5: Attend your SSA appointment.
    Bring the following documents:

    • Employment Letter
    • I-94
    • I-20
    • Passport
    • SSA Application Confirmation

    SSA address: 1940 Sweeney Street, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858

    Social Security Card arrives withinin 10–14 days

    Step 6: Return to Student Employment Services with your:

    • Social Security Card (physical document only)
    • I-94
    • I-20
    • Passport

    Complete your I-9 and tax paperwork and receive the red Hire Authorization Card.

    Step 7: Return to your supervisor to hand them the red Hire Authorization Card. This confirms to your supervisor that you have completed all required paperwork and are authorized to begin working.

    REMEMBER: The maximum number of hours you may work in a week during the Academic Year is twenty (20). This includes hours you work as a Graduate Assistant (GA), if applicable. It is your responsibility to schedule yourself no more than 20 hours per week. During the Summer, you may work as many as forty (40) hours per week. STUDENTS HAVE BEEN SENT HOME FOR VIOLATING THIS WORK HOUR LIMITATION.