Welcome to the Student Employment Office!
Our office works with enrolled degree-seeking students to assist them in their employment endeavors. In doing that, we also work alongside with on-campus supervisors, payroll coordinators, and off-campus employers to ensure the best student employment experience for all parties involved.
First time at Boston University?
We encourage you to visit our First Year site for helpful information and FAQs on how student employment works at Boston University.
Please read the following for federal and university news.
Student Employees
Students choosing to work at Boston University are required to complete an electronic Form I-9 at the beginning of their employment. Students must complete a Form I-9 prior to or on the first day of their employment. No student employee should be allowed to work beyond three business days unless the I-9 has been completed: Click here for the required paperwork needed.
Domestic student employees who have been previously been paid by Boston University may now update their federal (W-4) and state (M-4 for Massachusetts, if on-campus) taxing information on-line by following our instructions here. More information about taxes can be found here.
Read our instructions to sign up for Direct Deposit! You may also watch this video on how to apply for direct deposit.
Students who work at Boston University are not permitted to work during scheduled class time.
Some Boston University student employees are now entitled to earn paid sick time. Procedures and accrual information may be found here.
The Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) took effect on April 1, 2018. This law entitles employees to reasonable accommodations for pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, bans discrimination based on pregnancy, and prohibits employers from retaliating against pregnant employees asking for reasonable accommodations related to pregnancy. Please refer to the University’s Reasonable Accommodations Policy for information on how to proceed if you wish to request an accommodation under this act.
The University complies with all state and federal discrimination laws, including Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972, the federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities. The Boston University Sexual Misconduct/Title IX Policy is intended to ensure a safe and non-discriminatory educational and work environment.
Student wages are not considered wages on which one can collect unemployment, pursuant to section 6 K of the Massachusetts General Laws 151. Students may attempt to file but they will most likely have their claims rejected as there is still some lack of clarity about whether or not students are eligible to collect benefits under the CARES act. Should any changes to this policy be made, we will provide updates on the University’s COVID-19 information page.
Supervisors and Payroll Coordinators
Effective December 26, 2022 the minimum wage in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is increasing to $15.00. This video details the information you need to know regarding this change.
All I-9s completed on student employees are completed electronically. Payroll Coordinators have been given the ability to assign staff within their Unit/Departments access to complete a student’s I-9. Procedures for completing the electronic I-9 may be found here. Supervisors may not allow a student to work if the student has not completed an I-9. No student employee should commence working until the I-9 has been completed. More important information about completing and submitting Form I-9 may be found here.
Effective Tuesday, February 4, 2020, the weekly deadline for Payroll Coordinators to enter the final time sheet mail code approval and to approve all hires will be 10 A.M. on Tuesday mornings.
Supervisors and Payroll Coordinators should utilize the Student Employment Business link functions, especially Student Employee Information and Student Employees Mail Code or Unit/Dept on a regular basis. These functions should be used to verify that students have been correctly hired in the appropriate program or semester and are being accurately paid for hours worked.
As was announced on June 1, 2020, effective July 1, 2020, the Student SARF process has changed. The process is now a fully electronic process and the previous SARF forms are no longer being accepted for processing. A quick start guide and an instructional PowerPoint can be found in the Payroll Coordinator Guides section.
Students may not work during scheduled class time. It is the supervisor’s responsibility to confirm with students that their work schedules do not conflict with their class schedules.
Some Boston University student employees are entitled to earn paid sick time. Procedures and accrual information are available for supervisors and payroll coordinators.
The Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) took effect on April 1, 2018. This new law entitles employees to reasonable accommodations for pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, bans discrimination based on pregnancy, and prohibits employers from retaliating against pregnant employees asking for reasonable accommodations related to pregnancy. Please refer to the University’s Reasonable Accommodations Policy for information on how to proceed if a student employee requests an accommodation under this act.
Students unable to work due to COVID isolation, quarantine, and/or contact tracing are to be paid their regular wages. Hourly students should be paid their scheduled hours for the period of time they were unable to show up due to COVID related reasons.
It is necessary to terminate a former student employee from the Student Employment level in SAP before the former student can be hired into a temporary level (including TEPV) or staff position in SAP. All student level payments must have been made to the student before he/she can be terminated from the student payroll level. All SE level termination requests should be made following the SE Level Termination procedure.
Employment Verification Requests
Boston University uses The Work Number® to provide automated employment and income verification for student employees. The Work Number provides immediate access to information that is convenient, accurate and secure: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This service is available to those student employees who currently have a social security number on file. The Boston University employer number for Student Employment records in 17310. Click here for more information on employment verification requests.