Start-of-Semester Reminder Regarding Assistantship Appointments and Outside Employment

August 10, 2026

All graduate students are limited to a total of 20 hours of employment per week during each appointment period. Students who are considering additional employment should review their assistantship appointment letter to verify the number of hours associated with their appointment.

The standard assistantship appointment, including most TAs, GRAs, RAs, and GAs, is defined as 15 hours per week, leaving up to 5 additional hours per week available for other authorized employment before reaching the 20-hour limit. Some appointments may have different weekly commitments, so students should confirm the terms of their specific appointment.

International students should take particular care to ensure that any additional employment complies with applicable immigration regulations and employment authorization requirements. Exceeding authorized employment limits could have serious consequences, including impacts on visa status.

Students who are unsure about their eligibility for additional employment should consult their appointment letter and contact the Office of International Services before accepting additional work.