Currently I am engaged in volunteering with a media company because as
a F1 student, I know I am not allowed to work "off-campus" or with any
other organization or company other than the school I am attending. But
the media organization I am working for is contracted by the school to
do media work in the school premises.



My concern is whether or not I am able to receive pay from this company because the work is "on-campus" at an athletic facility. Sajha F1 employment experts, would you mind answering the question for me, or share your experience if you have worked with an outside contractor "on-campus"? Also, links to lawyers who could help me with this would be great!~

Thank you and Happy Holidays!

Junge, Why don't you apply for EAD? 

what is EAD Quagmire?

it would be best to ask your International student adviser.

So Quagmire, I found out what EAD is, but my work is freelance, i only work a few times for them and i move on about my ways.

Jungehaldar, an EAD would allow you to work up to 20 hrs/ week ( off-campus ) and full time during the summer. If I were you, I wouldn't worry a great deal about your ability to receive a payment. You should be fine. Just go ahead and collect a hefty sum on your next paycheck. 

Haldar Sab,

I think you can work on that, but best way is consult ur DSO

In most of the universities, guys are working on Food court, which belongs to Aramark and other company which is not associated with school, So I think you can work for that company. But it should be less than 20 hr/week

any work done on campus is allowed as F1 student, for example most campus has book store maintained by efollet, cafeteria maintained by chartwells...working either on bookstore or cafeteria is on campus even though they are technically not under the management of the campus but rather contracted by the campus/university.
Also if you are volunteering/working for a company that is affiliated to your campus/university, then its considered on campus work and is allowed with F1 status...this applies if you receive your paycheck though that company and not from the human resource department of your campus/university.

In the event that the company that you are working with is not affiliated to your school, and they don't do any work on campus, but the work you are doing is directly related to your field of study, you can apply for CPT (curricular practical training). you can apply for free and processing time is usually 1 day that is also depending upon the working speed of ur DSO. if you are on CPT, ur maximum allowed time is 24 months working part time and 12 months full time. If you cross this limit you loose ur OPT; however your can work for 23 months 6days part time; 11 months 29 days full time as CPT and still be eligible for full OPT.

i know all this because i have taken advantage of all these previledges....

hope that helps...