Student Employment: Northern Kentucky University, Greater Cincinnati Region

On-campus employment usually means that you will be getting paid by Northern Kentucky University. There are a few exceptions, so be sure to check with your international student advisor before beginning any employment.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

CPT is work authorization for paid internships and off-campus employment related to a student's major. For this work authorization, the student must register for academic credit. Find more information on CPT, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, in ISSS's CPT Guide on the international Student Resources webpage.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

OPT is a work authorization benefit available to eligible F-1 students. This benefit allows one year of employment following graduation. Find more information on OPT, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, in ISSS's OPT Guide on the international Student Resources webpage.

On-Campus Employment

Northern Kentucky University offers F-1 students job opportunities. F-1 students may work on campus 20 hours or less per week when school is in session. Students may work on campus up to 35 hours per week during official breaks if they intend to return the following semester. The official breaks are:

Summer break
Spring break
Winter break

Obtaining a Social Security Number (SSN)

F-1 students are not eligible for a Social Security Number unless they have received a job offer and will be participating in authorized employment. A Social Security number is not needed for the following:

Opening a bank account
Obtaining a cell phone
Renting an apartment

The purpose of a Social Security Number is for income tax reporting.

After Receiving Job Offer

See the international Student Resources webpage for the Social Security Number Request Form.
Ask your supervior to complete the top portion of the form.
Bring the form to ISSS for completion of the bottom portion of the form, at which point you will be given a process sheet with the steps for submitting the actual Social Security number application.

Off-Campus Employment Regulations

F-1 students are not generally permitted to work off-campus. Students who engage in unauthorized work are subject to:

Loss of eligibility for benefits

The only exception to this regulation is for F-1 benefits that are authorized before beginning employment. The F-1 benefits include:

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
OPT Extension (STEM)
Severe Economic Hardship (SHE)

Student Employment

International Student and Scholar Services