Departments across campus list their available student positions with the Financial Aid office. These job listings are available on their web site at http://bingfa.binghamton.edu/employment.htm. The web site provides a brief description of the job duties and all of the relevant contact information to set up interviews for those positions.

2. What forms do I have to complete when I start work?

All employees are required by federal law to complete and Employment Eligibility form (I-9). The law states that you are to complete Part 1 no later than your first day of employment and produce all required original documents no later than 3 days after starting work. All documents required by the I-9 form have to be original documents. We are not allowed to accept photocopies. Original documents include but are not limited to your driver's license, social security card, birth certificate, passport, and/or university ID.

You will also need to complete tax forms - W-4 for federal taxes and an It 2108 for state and in some cases local taxes.

Those choosing to participate in the Direct Deposit program outlined below will need to complete a direct deposit form to set up the routing for your paycheck.

In order to be paid, you will be required to complete and submit a time record each pay period showing the number of hours worked during the two week period.

Students interested in joining the New York State Retirement system will be contacted by representatives from our Benefits Office to complete the necessary paperwork required to join the retirement system. If you are interested in receiving more information regarding the retirement system, you will need to complete the Retirement System Option form

3. What taxes am I required to pay?

During the academic year Binghamton University students are required to pay state and federal income tax and in some cases City income taxes (New York City and Yonkers residents). During the summer, BU students are also required to pay FICA tax ( Social Security and Medicare) unless you are registered and attending classes here in the summer. To claim the exemption from the FICA tax during the summer, you are required to bring proof of class registration to the Human Resource Office. Students who attend other SUNY colleges and universities are required to pay FICA tax whenever you work at Binghamton University.

4. Can I work at Binghamton University if I am a registered student at another college or university.

You can be employed at Binghamton University on the student payroll if you are registered and attending one of the 64 colleges and universities that fall under the State University system. However, if you are attending another SUNY college or university you are required to pay Federal and State income tax as well as FICA.

If you are registered at a private college or university or in the university system of another state, you cannot be appointed to the BU student payrolls. You may, however, be appointed to the Faculty/Staff payroll if you meet the qualifications for appointment.

5. How many hours can I work?

When classes are in session, student employees are encouraged to limit your work hours to 20 hours per week, all positions combined. When classes are not in session over holiday breaks and during the summer, student employees can work a total of 40 hours per work week. If your total hours worked on all of your student positions combined exceed 40 hours in a work week, you will be paid overtime at a rate of time and 1/2. However, please note that all overtime requires prior approval of your supervisor.

There is one exception - International student employees are restricted to 20 hours per week when classes are in session - all jobs on campus combined. (This includes hours you may work for Sodexo, Barnes and Noble, the day care center, Research Foundation, etc.) This restriction is a condition of your visa. When classes are not in session, international student employees can work up to 40 hours per work week.

6. How much can I be paid?

At the present time, the federal minimum wage is $6.55 per hour. The maximum amount we can pay on the Student Assistant and Federal College Work Study payroll is $16.72 per hour. The top cap is set by the Division of the Budget and can only be raised by them.

7. Do I have to keep a record of the time I work?

All employees on campus are required to keep a time record. As a student employee, you are considered to be eligible for overtime. Therefore, your time record needs to include time in and time out. The time records have to be submitted to the Human Resource Office by noon on the Friday following the end of the two week pay period in order for you to be paid on a timely basis. Time records should not be held and submitted in a group. Multiple payments in the same pay period will result in you paying more income taxes than you would pay if you submitted the time records each pay period.

8. When will I get my first paycheck and how often am I paid?

Binghamton University state employees are paid on a biweekly basis. Our payrolls are considered to be a lag payroll. This means that you will receive your paycheck 3 weeks after the end of the pay period. For example: a two week pay period begins on Thursday, April 5 and runs until Wednesday April 18. Your paycheck will be issued on Thursday, May 10.

9. Where do I get my paycheck?

Student paychecks can be picked up at the Payroll Check Distribution Center in the University Union, near the Mandela Room. You are required to bring a photo ID with you to receive your check.

10. Are there any benefits that I may be eligible to receive?

Student Assistants and Federal College Work Study students are eligible to join the New York State Employees Retirement System. If you choose to join, you are required to contribute 3% of your gross wages to your retirement. You are not taxed on this contribution. Income taxes are based on the gross amount of your check minus the 3% contribution to your retirement fund.

You are eligible to join the State Employees Federated Credit Union. An office of SEFCU is located on the Vestal Parkway.

You are also able to participate in our Direct Deposit program. The Direct Deposit program allows your paycheck to be deposited directly into virtually any bank in the United States (banks need to be part of the Automated Clearing House). If you elect to participate in this program, you will receive a direct deposit advise each payday advising you of the gross amount of the check, the deductions made from that check and the amount of money deposited into your bank account. You can choose to directly deposit all or part of your paycheck. The funds are credited to your account at the beginning of business on pay day and are immediately available for your use. We strongly encourage you to consider participation in this program. Replacement of lost or stolen checks may take up to 6 - 8 weeks. Direct deposit is a secure way to receive payment for the work that you do at Binghamton University.

11. I am a federal college work study student employee. Is there a limit on how much I can make on that payroll and the periods of time I can work?

Federal College work study student employees are restricted by the amount of your work study grant. Once they have earned that amount of money, their employment on that particular payroll ends. However, if your department has sufficient temporary service funds, they can appoint you to the Student Assistant payroll. Work study student employees can only be on the work study payroll during the academic year. The start date is usually the Thursday before fall classes start and the end date is the Friday before commencement if you have a full academic year grant. If your grant is for a specific semester, the start date would be the Thursday before classes start and the last day of exams at the end of the semester.