Faith Schallert | Reporter
From Print [ November 3, 2105] | Legacy

Work and Learn opportunities are no longer guaranteed for students under changes taking effect Jan. 1, which is especially concerning for internationals.

At that time, Work and Learn will become an employee system, which will affect many of the 1,213 international students, who may not have work visas.

“The most significant impact for non-resident workers is that they are required to have a Social Security number and pay the appropriate taxes on all earned income,” said Deb Ayres, vice president of Human Resources.

Ai Murakami, an international student from Japan, works in the education office, and said that once Work and Learn changes, it will affect her financial aid as she doesn’t have a work visa.

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Another international student, Yanely Flores from Honduras, works in the faculty mailroom.

“I get a scholarship from working that really helps my parents,” said Flores. “Since we are now using our Social Security number, I guess we will get taxes, and we will be paid less.”

Flores does not have a working visa so she cannot get a job outside of the university.

Currently, international students makeup one-third of the undergraduate student workforce, according to Chole Bonnand from the non-resident employee compliance.

Emin Hajiyev, director of International Students and Scholars, said all incoming international students will be accommodated without a student worker package, but current students will go through the work and learn changes.