Upcoming changes to WVU's student worker program
The Shared Services Center recently shared some important information (below) with all supervisors regarding the WVU student worker program. Effective immediately, hourly student workers, excluding international student workers, may now work up to 28 hours per week. Historically, student workers were permitted to work a maximum of 20 hours per week during a regular term. Please note that federal law still limits international students to work only 20 hours per week during the regular term. Working more than 20 hours per week during the regular term can have serious implications for an international student's immigration status.
WVU Shared Services Message:
As part of efforts to provide greater flexibility for student workers and ensure West Virginia University remains competitive with external employers, WVU recently increased the number of hours most students may work from 20 hours a week to 28 hours a week.
This update applies to all hourly student positions*. This change does not apply to graduate student assistantships; however, it does include graduate students working at an hourly role.
Supervisors should work with their college or school budget officers to ensure there is sufficient funding to support increased hours for students working within their areas.
Further, the University is planning to implement several other enhancements aimed at simplifying the hiring process for both student workers and their supervisors.
In the coming months, WVU plans to transition all job postings for student worker positions to Handshake, which is the top job search platform designed specifically for college students.
WVU Career Services has been using the Handshake platform for more than three years, and all WVU students already have an active Handshake account.
In addition to increasing the University’s reach among potential candidates, Handshake will ensure greater consistency in job descriptions, hourly wages and hiring practices. Handshake also will help WVU remain compliant with federal hiring guidelines and ensure Federal Work Study dollars are used when funding positions prior to expending institutional funds.
We will share more information beginning this spring and expect the policy and system changes to be in place by June for the fall 2022 hiring cycle.
In the meantime, visit the Career Services Center website for more information and additional resources. Contact WVU Shared Services at 304-293-6006 or SharedServices@mail.wvu.edu with any questions. You also may contact WVU Tax Services at 304-293-3379 ext. 3 or Tax@mail.wvu.edu.
Sincerely,
WVU Shared Services
*Note: Specific restrictions imposed by federal law apply to international student employees on F-1 and J-1 visas that may limit the number of hours these students may work per week. International student employees who have questions on the number of hours they are permitted to work each week should contact WVU Shared Services or WVU Tax Services to discuss their specific situation.