Regulations Regarding Employment

Last Updated

July 03, 2024

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This section provides information about the requirements and policies associated with financial support. Financial support is the shared responsibility of Harvard Griffin GSAS, the academic program, and the student. Your financial aid officer can help you navigate the many options available.
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All Harvard Griffin GSAS students receiving financial aid of any kind are required to consult with their department, advisor, and financial aid officer before undertaking any employment regardless of hourly time commitment as paid employment may affect financial aid eligibility.

PhD students receiving full stipend support, typically in the G1, G2, and DCF years but potentially in others, are generally discouraged from undertaking any position of employment outside of their graduate studies. The intention of offering PhD students full stipend support is to enable students to focus exclusively on their academic work without the need to work to meet their financial obligations.

During years when a student is not receiving full stipend support, as defined above, but still enrolled full-time at Harvard Griffin GSAS pursuing their graduate degree, employment is allowed but students ordinarily may not undertake any position of employment outside their graduate studies that obligates them to more than 17 hours of work per week.

In addition, students and their spouses in the United States on temporary non-immigrant visas are expected to fully understand and comply with applicable regulations concerning employment permitted under their visas. Before making plans for employment in the United States, international students should consult with the Harvard International Office to determine employment eligibility.

Any student interested in requesting an exception to this policy should complete the Employment Exception Request Form, have it signed by their advisor, and return it to their financial aid officer.