FINANCES
EMPLOYMENT
Federal financial aid is just available to US citizens and permanent residents, however many undergraduate and some graduate international students receive scholarships. New international students, both incoming freshman and undergraduate transfer students, are eligible for merit scholarships which are selected by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. These scholarships are based on the strength of a student’s academic and extracurricular record. No application is required. We encourage international students to investigate all available options in their home countries and outside funding organizations. International students may also get useful information at Bestcolleges.com.
To find out how to pay your bill students are encouraged to visit this website: Paying My Bill
You can view and pay for your bill on SUonline or in person at Student Financial Services.
For your convenience, the University offers a variety of payment options. Payments may be made by Visa, MasterCard, or electronic check through SU Online, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please note credit card payments will include an additional 3% cost for processing. In addition, payments may be submitted by mail or in person at Student Financial Services, University Services Building, Room 105. For more detailed information about making a payment, please visit: Student Financial Services. PAYMENTS IN CASH ARE NOT ACCEPTED.
While WE CAN NOT ENDORSE or SUPPORT YOUR USE of any of the banks below as we are a private institution that does receive federal financial aid and we are not in the business of supporting local banks - international students have told us they use the banks listed below. There are quite a few banks and credit unions in the area. The following are closest to campus:
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Bank of America |
Chase |
US Bank |
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Wells Fargo |
Key Bank |
BECU |
(ATM located in the back of the Student Center.)
Yes, all international students can work on-campus for a maximum of 20 hours per week. F-1/J-1 students who are in status and taking classes full-time are eligible to work on-campus part-time during the school year and full-time during vacation periods. To find listings of on-campus jobs, go to the Connect SU.
The priority for on-campus jobs goes to "work-study" students. Work-study students are American students who are receiving a financial aid package from the government which requires them to work on campus. International students are not eligible for work-study. Some offices may only be able to hire work-study students, while others may have a budget for hiring Institutional Work Study students. Working on campus does not require getting any written permission from the International Student Center or the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS), and you can start working as soon as you begin your studies at Seattle University. Working off campus is only possible under certain conditions and always requires prior approval from the BCIS and/or the ISC. Do not work off campus without prior authorization!
Yes, you need a Social Security number to work. Social Security numbers are generally assigned to people who are authorized to work in the United States and are used to report your wages to the government. To apply for a Social Security number you will need a letter from your supervisor, a letter from the International Student Center, a completed Application For A Social Security Card (Form SS-5), your passport and immigration documents. First, you must request a job offer or hire letter from your supervisor, which you will bring to the International Student Center to request a separate verification letter for Social Security. We will also provide you with a handout with further details on how to obtain your Social Security Card.
If you are looking for an internship a great place to start is to talk with your academic advisor and/or an advisor in the Career Services Office, located in PAVL 110. Career Services is a fantastic resource for all students seeking an internship or a full-time job upon completion of your studies. The Career Services staff can advise you on internship search strategies, your resume and cover letter, interview techniques, and other job search tools. Career Services also organizes helpful workshops and several career fairs throughout the school year. The Office also has databases that can specifically assist international students in their job search process. The Albers Placement Center also offers a wide range of services for business students looking for internships.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is available to students who must work as part of their degree requirements, either non-credit or for credit. You should speak with your academic advisor about your degree requirements, and if you are planning to do CPT, you will need to meet with an academic advisor for the CPT application process. If you would like to do a paid internship related to your major, but not as part of a degree requirement, you must apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT). Each quarter there is one Curricular Practical Training/Optional Practical Training workshop offered by the International Student Center that provides more information.
Yes and no. The only way an international student may participate in a paid internship experience is through Curricular Practical Training (CPT), and in order to do Curricular Practical Training you must receive credit which counts towards your degree, or do OPT. If you are volunteering and it is purely a volunteer position which does not include compensation of any kind – including parking, bus pass or stipend – then you do not need to apply for CPT.
For international students, working off campus is only possible under certain conditions and always requires prior approval from the BCIS and/or the ISC. International students can, however, work on-campus for a maximum of 20 hours per week. F-1/J-1 students who are in status and taking classes full-time are eligible to work on-campus part-time during the school year and full-time during vacation periods.
Working on campus does not require getting any written permission from the International Student Center or the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS), and you can start working as soon as you begin your studies at Seattle University. The best resource for finding jobs off-campus is the Connect SU, which has listings of off-campus jobs and internships in the community. For on-campus positions, as well as guidance on resume drafting and interview preparation, see the Career Services.