Do not assume that you are eligible to work without first contacting the designated school official. Work on your campus is usually permissible if it meets certain requirements. INS regulations state that this employment is automatically authorized for any student in lawful F-1 status. Check with your designated school official for school requirements and procedures governing the authorization of on-campus employment. On-campus work performed for your school is always acceptable, whether it is employment in your academic department, the library, the computer center or the housing office.
Work required by a scholarship, fellowship, or assistantship is also acceptable.
Work performed on your school's grounds or premises for an outside contractor or firm is considered to be on-campus employment as long as the employer provides direct services to students. Examples of this might be your school's food service or bookstore, if they are operated not by your school but by an outside firm. Which Qualifies as On-Campus Employment. For employment to be so defined, there must be an official relationship between your school and the off-campus employer, the work must be associated with your school's curriculum or related to a graduate level research project, and the employment must be an important part of your program of study. If you are suffering from severe economic hardship based on unforeseen circumstances beyond your control, you may be eligible for employment off- campus.