There are three types of student employees at UNC Asheville: Non-Federal Work Study Student Employees (this is what the majority of students on campus will be categorized as), Federal Work Study Student Employees, and International Students Working on Campus.
Please don’t hesitate to email studentemployment@unca.edu with any questions!
On this page, you will find:
- Policies and Procedures Specific to Each Student Employment Type:
- Non-Federal Work Study (Non-FWS) Student Employees
- Federal Work Study (FWS) Student Employees
- International Students Working on Campus
Please refer to the ‘Hiring Process‘ in the left hand menu for all hiring steps and requirements.
Please don’t hesitate to email studentemployment@unca.edu with any questions!
Non-Federal Work Study (Non-FWS) Student Employees
- What is a Non-Federal Work Study (Non-FWS) position? This is any (and most) on-campus student employee position that is not funded by Federal Work Study through Financial Aid.
- Who is eligible for Non-FWS positions? Any undergraduate student that is degree-seeking and enrolled at UNC Asheville for the current semester or, if working during academic year breaks, enrolled for the following semester at UNC Asheville.
- Where can students find and apply for open Non-FWS positions? All student employee positions can be found and applied for on Bulldog NetWork. Choose the ‘Login with your Bulldog NetWork SSO’ blue button to log in.
- How many hours can a student work each week in a Non-FWS position? Non-FWS student employees can work a maximum of 28 hours per week inclusive of all on-campus paid positions. During winter and summer breaks, this increases to a maximum of 40 hours per week inclusive of all on-campus paid positions.
Federal Work Study (FWS) Student Employees
- What is Federal Work Study? FWS is a federally funded financial aid employment program available during fall and spring semesters. Eligibility for FWS is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Who can apply for a FWS positions? Students who are a) eligible for FWS, b) accept the award through the Financial Aid Office, and are c) degree-seeking, d) enrolled full-time (at least 12 credit hours), and e) a US citizen or permanent resident can apply for FWS positions.
- Not sure if you’re eligible for FWS? Contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@unca.edu or 828-251-6535.
- Are students with Federal Work Study awards guaranteed a FWS position? No. Students still need to meet the position requirements and apply, interview, and be offered the student employee position.
- How can students find FWS-eligible positions? All student employee positions can be found and applied for on Bulldog NetWork. Choose the ‘Login with your Bulldog NetWork SSO’ blue button to log in. All student employee positions that are paid an hourly wage (which is most of them) are eligible for students with FWS.
- How many hours can a student work each week in a FWS position? Students with FWS can work a maximum of 20 hours per week in their FWS position during the academic year. FWS is not available during the summer break.
- How is FWS funding dispersed? Students earn their FWS funding by working on campus. All hourly student employee positions, unless specifically noted in the job post, can be funded by Federal Work Study. FWS positions are paid an hourly rate, determined by the Financial Aid Office, on a biweekly basis. There are no parameters on how the pay is used after being deposited to the student’s bank account.
International Students Working on Campus
- What is required for an international student to work on campus? An international student must have work authorization/a Social Security Number (SSN) before they can begin working on campus. Details on how to obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) are at the bottom of this page. Additionally, international students must maintain legal F-1 or J-1 status while engaging in on-campus employment.
- Once an international student has work authorization, what on campus employee positions can they apply for? International students can apply for any on-campus position that is not funded by FWS. The position must be for the university or a contracted company such as Chartwells/Dining Services.
- How many hours can an international student work on campus?
- Part-time (20 hours per week or less) during the regular full-time quarters, which are set by the UNC Asheville academic calendar and include finals weeks.
- Full-time (more than 20 hours per week but not exceeding 40 hours per week) between quarters.
- Full-time (more than 20 hours per week but not exceeding 40 hours per week) during annual vacation quarter (summer semester).
- What would make an international student ineligible for employee on campus positions? On-campus employment eligibility for international students expires:
- when you graduate/on the last day of your final quarter (per UNC Asheville academic calendar) even if your I-20 expiration date is after that date
- if you transfer to another university; your work authorization expires on the day of your SEVIS record release date
- if you violate your F-1 status and your SEVIS record is terminated
- What if an international student wants to work off-campus? If an international student is looking to work off-campus, they must connect with Sara King, PDSO/Study Abroad Coordinator and International Student Adviser, at sking6@unca.edu or 828-232-5037.
- Who is the best contact for more information or additional questions? Connect with Sara King, PDSO/Study Abroad Coordinator and International Student Adviser, at sking6@unca.edu or 828-232-5037. The Study Abroad office is located in the Academic Success Center in the basement of Ramsey Library and is open 8AM to 5PM Monday through Friday. Additional information can be found at Study in the States – Working in the United States.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: International students cannot begin working on-campus until all of their required paperwork has been submitted and processed with HR and Payroll. Completion and approval of employment paperwork before a student begins on-campus work is a requirement of law and University policy. Beginning to work without approved employment status may result in no longer being able to hold an on-campus student employee position.
Social Security Number (SSN) Requirement
If you are planning to work on-campus during your studies at UNC Asheville, you will need to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN). All international students who wish to work must apply for a Social Security Number (SSN). UNC Asheville cannot complete your hiring paperwork without your Social Security Number (SSN) and you cannot begin working on-campus until your hiring paperwork is completed.
When you receive your Social Security card in the mail (in 2 to 4 weeks), please see the Office of Human Resources located in Phillips Hall (Campus Building #15 on the Campus Map) Room 217. HR will then be able to create an employment record for your new position.
The Social Security Administration office number to call and schedule your appointment is 866-572-8361.
For your appointment with the Social Security Administration, you will need:
- Passport
- Current I-20 or DS-2019 Document
- SS-5 Form
- On-Campus Job Offer Letter or Email from the Hiring Supervisor
- F-1 students must provide evidence of lawful F-1 employment for their on-campus position.
- Work Authorization Letter
- Once you have been offered an on-campus position and your supervisor has submitted your Student Employment Agreement (SEA), email your UNC Asheville PDSO (Sara King at sking6@unca.edu) to obtain your work authorization letter.
Please note you cannot arrive to your Social Security Administration appointment early. Plan to arrive at the scheduled time to avoid any issues or delays. In the meantime, you can look at the Social Security website and complete the fillable SS-5 form that will help your appointment go smoothly. If you have additional questions, please visit the F-1 Student On-Campus webpage or email Sara King, PDSO/Study Abroad Coordinator and International Student Adviser, at sking6@unca.edu.