Student Employment Basics
A student employee is a student worker enrolled at Oakland University at least half-time during the standard academic year (fall/winter), whose primary association with Oakland University is for the purpose of obtaining a degree. Students enrolled in a concurrent enrollment program must have a combined enrollment of at least half-time at both schools. Student employment is temporary and secondary to the pursuit of a degree. Student employment is limited to 25 hours per week during the standard academic year (fall/winter). During official Oakland University breaks and the summer, a student employee may work up to 40 hours per week. International students are limited to 20 hours of work per week during the Fall/Winter semesters, but may work up to 40 hours during university breaks and the summer.  Student employee status is not affected during usual periods of non‑enrollment including breaks between consecutive terms or during the summer semester, regardless of hours worked. Student employment provides on-campus jobs for undergraduate and graduate degree seeking OU students; a few off‑campus jobs are also available. Two types of student employment are available at OU: Federal Work Study and regular student employment. Students are paid every two weeks and are responsible for using the earnings to help pay their educational expenses.  Only regular student employment positions are available during the Summer.

Eligibility
During the Fall and Winter semester students must be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible for either form of student employment. Federal Work Study funds are not available during the Summer semester. While a student is not required to be enrolled for Summer semester in order to work a regular student employment position, they are:

•  Required to be enrolled at least half-time in the preceding winter semester
•  Have not completed graduation requirements
•  Enrolled at least half-time for the upcoming Fall semester
•  International students will have a valid I-20 on file with the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO)

Types of Student Employment
There are two types of student employment at Oakland University:

• Federal Work-Study provides jobs for students who demonstrate financial need. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required, awards are made on a first come first serve basis. Eligibility to work in a Federal Work-Study position requires a Federal Work-Study award.   Students who are requested by a hiring department to work via Federal Work‑Study must satisfy all general financial aid requirements before they will be eligible to work.  Students selected for federal “verification” must submit all requested documents and be reviewed by the financial aid office before an authorization to work will be granted.

• Regular Student Employment allows on-campus employment for students who do not qualify for Federal Work-Study. The FAFSA is not required.

OUCareerLink.com Student Employment Job Search
The OUCareerLink is web-based software where you can search all forms of employment in one convenient location online. Types of employment available for searching/viewing include on‑campus student employment, non-career related employment (off-campus), internship/career related, co-op, full-time, and educators. To use this website as a student, you must first register for a user account. To create an account, please register online at OUCareerLink. Click on the “Students and Alumni” icon. Fill out the profile form creating your own username and password.  View the following brief tutorial for instructions on registering for an account, and searching jobs in the OUCareerLink.

On-campus student employment
Many university departments hire students. Students can view current student employment positions online at OUCareerLink. It is the responsibility of the student to contact the hiring department to schedule an interview, if needed. Departments may require Federal Work-Study eligible students.  Hiring departments will notify Student Financial Services of their intent to employ a student. Fall/Winter and Summer are separate award periods and will require departments to submit complete rehiring forms.

Off-campus student employment
Visit OUCareerLink to view all forms of student employment, including off-campus employment.

Off-campus: Community Service Tutoring

One special program of off-campus student employment is Community Service Tutoring (formerly America Reads), in which Oakland University has partnered with the Troy public schools.  Students in the School of Education, or students with experience in tutoring reading are matched with Troy elementary schools.  Federal Work Study is required.  Tutoring positions are posted on OUCareerLink early in the fall.  Eligible students are interviewed first by financial aid, and then by the participating Troy elementary school.  Interested students may contact the financial aid office for additional information.

Internships and career related positions
For internships and career related positions search jobs online at OUCareerLink, or visit Career Services located at 154 North Foundation Hall or call (248) 370-3250.

Employment Forms
All students interested in student employment must complete and submit the following forms and documents to Student Financial Services 120 North Foundation Hall before employment can begin. For payroll purposes, an original U.S. Social Security card must be presented for photocopy to Student Financial Services in person.If additional information is needed or forms are incomplete, you will be notified. The Office of Student Financial Services verifies that all compliance requirements have been met and notifies the hiring department via a Work Referral form. Students may begin to work only once the Work Referral has been completed. 

• Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) The U.S. Department of Justice requires all employees to complete an Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) and submit to their employer with appropriate documentation. This form, with documentation, is used to verify your eligibility to work in the United States. If you have never worked at Oakland University as a student employee, or three years has elapsed since you were employed as a student employee at OU, you will need to complete a Form I-9 and submit it (in person) to the Financial Aid Office with appropriate documentation (submit originals; photocopies are not acceptable) to be considered and/or approved for student employment at Oakland University.

• Form W4 Employee’s Federal Withholding Allowance Certificate

• MI-W4 Employee’s Michigan Withholding Exemption Certificate 

• Direct Deposit of Payroll Payments from Oakland University Direct deposit is available to students, allowing for a transfer of funds directly into a student's personal bank account.  Students are encouraged to select direct deposit.  Students who do not select direct deposit can pick up their checks at the Cashier's Office at 120 North Foundation Hall.  Student are paid once every two week.

• Supplemental Form W-4 Instructions for Nonresident Aliens (IRS Notice 1392)  IRS notice 1392 contains information to assist nonresident aliens in special completion instructions for their form I-9.

• Employee Withholding Certificate for City of Pontiac Residents  (Pontiac residents only)

• Employee Withholding Certificate for City of Detroit Residents  (Detroit residents only)

Student Employees and Oakland University Policies
Applicable sections of the Oakland University Administrative Policies and Procedures may be found at oakland.edu/audit. These policies apply to all University data. As such, student workers should be aware of the guidelines put forth by the following policies.

Policy 830 - Information Technology
Policy 860 - Information Security 
Policy 880 - System Administration Responsibilities 
Policy 890 - Use of University Information Technology Resources 
Policy 1130 - Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)