Student Officers
Most appointments as student officers of instruction and research are reserved for students enrolled in the University’s PhD programs, for whom instructional and research appointments are an integral part of their educational training.
Students on student officer appointment are limited to a total of 20 hours per week across all compensated positions (on- or off-campus) during any semester they are on appointment, including winter break and summer terms. If you are appointed as a student officer (e.g., Teaching Assistant, Graduate Research Assistant), please contact your Departmental Administrator for relevant information before taking on student casual work.
The Faculty Handbook has more information on Student Officer appointments.
On or Before Your First Day
Introduce yourself to the departmental administrator
You need to make sure the department administrator or human resources representative knows you have been hired in order for your assignment to be processed correctly and for you to be paid.
Complete all required new hire paperwork
Your department cannot enter you into payroll, and you will not be paid, until all of your new hire paperwork has been completed and submitted to your department administrator or human resources manager.
The Form I-9 is required for all newly hired employees who will be working in the United States to verify that you are eligible to work in the United States.
The Form I-9 can be completed as soon as you have accepted your new position, and must be done no later than three (3) business days after your start date.
Instructions on completing the Form I-9 can be found on the CUHR I-9 E-Verify website.
- Remember to bring the appropriate unexpired original documents with you, as listed in Section 1 of the I-9 online. The list of acceptable documents can be found on the USCIS website.
- Please confirm with your department manager what your date of hire is. This is required for the Form I-9.
International Students: If you do not have a Social Security Number (SSN), please refer to the International Student and Scholars (ISSO) website for information on how to apply for one.
All new hires must complete the Federal Form W-4 and state tax forms before receiving a paycheck. These forms provide the University payroll system with the required information to set up the appropriate tax withholding from your paycheck.
- Complete your Federal W-4 Form
- Note: If you are an international student, the IRS has special instructions for Form W-4 for nonresident aliens.
- Note: If you are an international student, the IRS has special instructions for Form W-4 for nonresident aliens.
- Complete the appropriate New York State tax withholding forms – IT2104 Form or IT2104.1 Form. Guidance on completing the NY State forms can be found on the New York State Department of Taxation website.
-
If you are a Non-Resident Alien, you may be eligible for a tax treaty exemption. See IRS Publication 901 on U.S. Tax Treaties to see if your country is listed for students. Questions on your eligibility for a tax treaty benefit and how to complete Form 8233 may be directed to the Human Resources Processing Center (HRPC).
After You Start Working
Once your hiring paperwork has been completed and you are entered into the University payroll system—People@Columbia (PAC)—we recommend that you sign up for the free direct deposit service. Your paycheck will then be automatically deposited to your bank account(s) each payday.
For Student Officers, the payroll calendar follows the "Semi-Monthly Other" schedule (the red row in the table), with payments processed after each pay period closes.
This calendar is an essential resource to stay informed about payroll cycles and can help you anticipate pay dates. If you have questions, please reach out to the Human Resources and Finance hotline at (212) 854-5000, or contact your departmental administrator for additional guidance.
Once you are hired into the University's system, you will be able to view each of your paychecks via the my.Columbia portal.
Simply log in with your UNI and password, and click on "View Your Paycheck" under Self-Service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Columbia’s Human Resources and Finance divisions have a hotline specifically to assist with student questions related to payroll and stipend payments, including timing of disbursements. For assistance, please call (212) 854-5000.
Alternatively, you may submit a ticket by visiting Stipends: Inquiries on Student Payroll and Stipend Payments, with both options reaching the same dedicated team.
For inquiries related to student accounts, tuition and fees, refunds, or transcripts, the Student Service Center remains available to assist.
All salaried PhD students, DMAs, and MFA students who are instructors in the University Writing Program are eligible to request an advance for any amount up to $3,000. The advance carries no fees, is interest-free, and not subject to tax withholding. If these students experience other unexpected one-time emergency expenses, they can contact the Dean’s Office of their school to apply for emergency funds, or apply to the Student Workers Health Fund.
International students from countries undergoing hardship as identified by the US State Department and the World Health Organization may also draw on the University International Student Hardship Fund. These funds are intended to support specific emergencies.