Student Employment

• Enrolled in a degree seeking program; or, 
• Participate in OU's English as a Second Language Program, OU's American Semester Abroad Program, or is enrolled in OU as an exchange student; and,
• Required to be enrolled at least half time. Half time is defined as 6 credit hours for undergraduate students and 4 credit hours for graduate students. It is the student's responsibility to inform their supervisor of changes to enrollment.

• Be enrolled at least half time in the preceding winter semester and the upcoming fall semester
• Have not completed graduation requirements
• Have a valid I-20 on file with the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO), if an international student.

Graduate Assistantships:
Graduate Assistantships provide students an opportunity to gain professional experience.

• Graduate students who receive a full-time graduate assistantship are required to provide an average of 20 hours per week of service during the fall and winter semesters, as described in their graduate assistant contract. They cannot take on any additional student employment assignments.
• Graduate students who received a part-time graduate assistantship are required to provide an average of 10 hours per week of service during the fall and winter semesters, as described in their graduate assistant contract. They can take on up to an additional 10 hours of student employment assignments. 

• Federal Work-Study provides 75% funding for wages, along with 25% departmental/OU funds for student employees who demonstrate financial need through required filing of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); 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 individual Oakland University hiring department funds to pay wages for student employees. The FAFSA is not required.

• 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 unexpired 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 one year 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 Financial Aid and Scholarships 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
• If your permanent residence is in a city that has a city income tax, you are required to submit a W-4 for that city. Michigan.gov lists cities with a city income tax.
• Payroll Payment Options - Oakland University employees have the option to receive their pay via Oakland University Direct Deposit or Visa® PayCard. Direct Deposit allows for a transfer of funds directly into a student's personal bank account. Visa® PayCard is available through the OU Credit Union. Students are paid once every two weeks.
• Supplemental Form W-4 Instructions for Nonresident Aliens (IRS Notice 1392) contains information to assist nonresident aliens in special completion instructions for their form I-9.

Students are not permitted to work during any enrolled class hours or exam times. Students are allowed to work a maximum of 25 hours weekly during the fall and winter semester while classes are in session.  International students (including ESL, ASAP, and exchange students) are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week.  Students may be allowed to work up to 40 hours during the summer semester and during certain semester recesses.

Undergraduate and master's degree students working Student Employment or Graduate Assistant positions will earn a minimum of $15 per hour. Doctoral Graduate Assistants will earn a minimum of $25 per hour. Student Employees are paid bi-weekly.

• Policy 200 - Authorized Signers
• Policy 406 - Conflict of Interest Policy
• Policy 710 - Administrative Guidelines Prohibiting Discrimination
• Policy 711 - Guidelines for Handling Discrimination Complaints
• Policy 712 - Administrative Guidelines Supporting the Equal Opportunity Policy
• Policy 714 - Workplace Bullying
• Policy 718 - Employments of High School Students and Minors
• Policy 830 - Information Technology
• Policy 860 - Information Security
• Policy 880 - System Administration Responsibilities
• Policy 890 - Use of University Information Technology Resources
  
• Policy 1170 - Student Employment

Hiring Supervisors can find all relevant information in eSpace. Reach Student Employment by email at [email protected].