Guidelines & Policies

Enrollment Requirements

In order to work as a student employee at Illinois, you must be currently enrolled and taking a certain amount of credit hours. In some cases, you may also be subject to a background check.

  • International students must be enrolled for at least 12 credit hours during fall and spring semesters. You may work as a student employee during the summer semester if you are registered for at least 3 credit hours during summer, were registered for at least 12 credit hours the previous spring semester, or are registered for at least 12 credit hours for the upcoming fall semester.
  • All other students must be enrolled for at least 6 credit hours during fall and spring semesters. You may work as a student employee during the summer semester if you are registered for at least 3 credit hours during summer, were registered for at least 6 credit hours the previous spring semester, or are registered for at least 6 credit hours for the upcoming fall semester.
  • You must stop working immediately if you withdraw from school, cancel your registration, or reduce your credit hours below the minimum enrollment requirements for student employment.
  • University policy requires background checks for certain positions and for individuals who have regular contact with minors. The employing department or campus Human Resource Office will notify you if a background check is required for the position.

Maximum Work Hours

Student employment should not interfere with your educational goals. You are not permitted to work during your scheduled classes or examinations.

During the regular academic year (Fall/Spring Terms) when classes are in session, a normal work week is 10 to 20 hours per week. We recommend that you do not work more than 20 hours per week and you may not work more than 28 hours per week. In addition, if you are enrolled for three hours or more during the Summer term, regardless of what part of term, you are considered a half-time “student” for the entire term and restricted to work a maximum of 28 hours per week.

You are permitted to work multiple jobs, but the total number of hours from all jobs should not exceed these limits.  Maximum hours are monitored and you will receive a warning notice the first time you exceed the number of hours you are allowed to work and will receive a termination notice if you continue to exceed the limit.

  • International students may not work more than 20 hours per week during fall and spring semesters when classes are in session. You may not work more than 40 hours per week when classes are not in session during fall and spring semesters. You can work up to 40 hours per week during the summer semester if you are not enrolled or are enrolled for less than three hours. If you are enrolled for three hours or more during the Summer term, regardless of what part of term, you are considered a half-time “student” for the entire term and restricted to work a maximum of 28 hours per week.
  • All students may work up to 40 hours per week when classes are not in session during the Fall, Winter and Spring breaks throughout the regular academic year, or during the Summer if registered for less than three hours.
  • Both student employees and supervisors should ensure that you never exceed 40 hours per week in all jobs worked at the University of Illinois. You are covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and must receive overtime pay if you work in excess of 40 hours per week. FLSA does not require overtime pay for work on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, or regular days of rest, nor does it require extra pay for night or weekend work. Federal Work-Study funds can never be utilized to pay overtime.