Building Column

Student Officers

Resources for Student Employees

Hiring Process Guidelines

  • To obtain authorization to work in the Fall/Spring/Summer terms, you must complete mandatory Human Resources (HR) appointment paperwork and provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States by completing the I-9 Employment Form. SIPA HR will email you appointment paperwork and instructions electronically.

    More information for Student Employees »

  • CUHR I-9 and E-Verify Process

    Please note: The Kent Hall I-9 center has relocated to 217 Uris Hall until the end of 2023.

  • Please see specific guidelines in Social Security Number ApplicationSIPA HR will also follow up with you on the next steps.

    Step 1

    Collect the On-Campus Employment Verification Form from SIPA HR in Room 408 IAB.

    Step 2

    Request your ISSO Social Security Letter by logging into Compass with your UNI and Password. International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) will email you when your letter has been processed and ready for shipping. For ISSO Social Security Letter inquiries please email [email protected] or call 212-854-3587.

    Step 3

    Start the application process online on Social Security's website. Go to www.ssa.gov/ssnumber and follow the prompts. After you click submit, print and save the control number that will be shown on the screen. Social security will not accept digital images on your phone for security purposes.

    Step 4

    Finish the application process in person. Check in at the kiosk when you arrive at the Social Security Card Center and an SSA employee will verify the information that you completed online and review your documentation. Bring the original documents with you:

    • On-Campus Employment Verification Form (F-1 students only) 
    • ISSO Social Security Letter
    • Unexpired passport
    • Unexpired I-20/DS-2019
    • Most recent I-94 arrival record. You must print it out on paper.
    • Control number print out from online application.                                                             

    Manhattan Social Security Card Center:

    Monday to Friday

    7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

    Location:

    123 William Street

    3rd Floor, New York, NY 10038

    Ph: 1-800-772-1213                                                                                                                       

    *Request your SSN application receipt when applying for the SSN at the Card Center.                          

    Step 5

    Bring the SSN application receipt to SIPA HR office 408 IAB to complete the appointment paperwork.

    Step 6

    Once the social security card arrives in the mail in approximately 2-3 weeks, bring the original social security card to SIPA HR office 408 IAB to update records.

    Learn more »

  • Columbia International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO)

    Assist International Students with resources and services pertaining to visas and travel information, employment, and taxes

    F-1 OPT Information »

    The U.S. has tax treaties or agreements with many countries and territories. To determine if your country is among these and whether you are eligible to claim a tax treaty benefit, view the IRS Publication 901. Your hiring department will have you complete Federal Form 8233 to file with the Human Resources office to claim a tax treaty, if applicable.

    Questions regarding Tax Treaty eligibility can be directed to the Human Resources Service Center at 212-851-2888 or open a ticket via https://columbia.service-now.com/

    Location:

    Studebaker 4th floor

    615 West 131st Street

    New York, NY 10027

    Walk-in Hours:

    Wednesday 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

    Thursday 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.; 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.

    Friday: 9:30 a.m.  -  4 p.m.

Required Training for all Student Officers Only

  • New York State and New York City-mandated Anti-Sexual Harassment Training (NYASH):

    You will receive an email notification and link to complete the online, interactive training from [email protected].

  • Complete the mandatory Columbia TA Guide

  • Complete CUIT Security Awareness Training within 30 days of the start of your assignment

Payroll & Time Allocation

Student Officers:

If you hold a student officer appointment you cannot work more than 20 hours per week in all positions. If you are offered a casual job in addition to your student officer appointment, please note that casual hours cannot be processed in TLAM but instead must be processed as Additional Compensation. Student Timesheets are required for all additional compensation payments to students. Please discuss with the departmental administrators in the departments in which you hold both the student officer appointment and the student casual position to confirm the Additional Compensation payment process for casual work performed.

Direct Deposit: Direct Deposit Online Instructions

*Setting up your direct deposit for payment is a separate process from SSOL Direct Deposit.

Payroll Calendar: 2023-2024 Pay Calendar

Student Officers are paid semi-monthly on the 15th and last day of each month during their appointment period.

My.Columbia.edu portal: My.Columbia.edu

To view or update direct deposit, personal data, W-4 tax information, and Employment Verification.

W-2 Information: W-2 Instructions

Beginning each February, you can go online to print your current-year W-2 form.

Benefits 

Compensation and Student Employee Benefits:

Learn about Compensation and Student Employee Benefits for PhD, Master's and undergraduate students at our Benefits for Columbia University Student Employees page.

Columbia University and SWC-UAW Collective Bargaining Agreement:

Learn about the labor agreement between the University and the Student Workers of Columbia-UAW (SWC-UAW) ratified in January 2022 and in effect until August 1, 2025.

Retirement Savings: 

Student employees working on a salaried appointment are eligible for the University’s Voluntary Retirement Savings Program (VRSP). The VRSP is a 403(b) retirement plan that lets you contribute from 1% to 80% of your eligible pay, on a pre-tax (deducted along with any other taxes) and/or Roth after-tax (deducted from take-home pay) basis, up to the annual IRS limit. To enroll in the VRSP, log in to CUBES; select "Retirement" and follow the prompts. For more information go to our Retirement Savings and Financial Planning page. If you have questions about your benefits, contact the Columbia Benefits Service Center by phone: 212-851-7000, or email: [email protected]

Commuter Savings: 

Student employees working on a salaried appointment are eligible for the University’s Transit/Parking Reimbursement Program (T/PRP). The T/PRP is a convenient way to pay for commuting expenses with pre-tax dollars, deducted directly from your paycheck each month. You can enroll in or make changes to the T/PRP at any time during the year. To enroll in or make changes to the T/PRP, log in to CUBES; select "My Benefits Summary" then “Transit/Parking Elections” and follow the prompts. For more information go to our Transit/Parking Reimbursement Program page.

New York Safe and Sick Leave Policy: 

Columbia University complies with the New York State Sick Leave Law and New York City Earned Safe and Sick Time Act by providing eligible faculty and staff the ability to accrue up to a maximum of 56 hours per fiscal year in paid safe/sick time for any use specified under the New York Safe and Sick Leave policy (see Use of Safe and Sick Leave).

Student officers are eligible for paid sick leave at a maximum of 56 hours per year. Earned and unused safe/sick time will carry over from one fiscal year to the next. Columbia University does not pay out unused safe/sick time under this or any other policy at termination.

For more information, please refer to the Columbia University policy.

New York State Paid Family Leave: 

In accordance with the New York State Paid Family Leave Program (PFL), Columbia University provides eligible employees with job-protected, paid leave to bond with a new child, care for a loved one with a serious health condition or to help relieve family pressures when someone is called to active military service.