Incoming Graduate Assistants

If you are a new student at KU and have been offered an assistantship (Graduate Teaching Assistantship, Graduate Research Assistantship, Graduate Assistantship, or Fellowship), you must prepare to take extra steps after arrival. 

Please be aware: You may need to bring an additional $5,000 to help you until your first paycheck, and possibly more if you need to apply for a SSN after arrival. This is only a recommendation. However, this will help you cover the cost of securing housing and food, purchasing books, and paying fees until your first paycheck arrives.

*The University of Kansas, including the International Support Services office, will be closed December 25, 2024 - January 1, 2025. The university and ISS office will re-open January 2, 2025. 

Pre-Arrival

To get paid and enroll for any qualifying benefits (i.e., insurance) for your graduate assistantship work at KU, you will need to complete the HR onboarding requirements.

HR Onboarding has an online component which can be started prior to your arrival in the United States.  You will receive an invitation to your KU email address from kuhronboarding@ku.edu to begin the online onboarding process.  It is very important that you check your KU email account frequently to receive notifications, alerts and other time-sensitive correspondence.  A KU Onboarding Center Representative can work with you via KU email to assist with specific onboarding requirements and any additional questions you may have.

While most online onboarding tasks can be completed before you arrive, certain forms that require a Social Security Number (SSN) and/or visual verification of immigration documents must be finalized after your physical arrival, and in some cases, after you have obtained your SSN. 

Spring 2025 Arrival

  • ALL graduate students must arrive by January 13, 2025
  • If you DO NOT have a Social Security Number (SSN), your suggested arrival date is January 9, 2025, to be able to have enough time to apply for an SSN. Please plan finances accordingly.

Most check-ins, onboarding, and possible required trainings for your assistantship can be completed only after your arrival in the US (see below). Spring 2025 classes start 01/21/2025.

Required Steps to complete in person after arrival

  1. International Student Orientation (ISO)
  2. Upload required immigration documents (including "Report Your U.S. Arrival" (Upload I-94 e-form) to iHawk and attend ISS check-ins [immigration document check]
  3. Attend Staying Legal presentation (F-1 & J-1 only) during orientation
  4. Watkins Health Center check-in [for immunizations and vaccinations]
  5. AEC Proficiency Test and/or Speak Test [if applicable]
  6. Open a US bank account
  7. Complete Onboarding with KU – online AND in-person I-9 processes
  8. Possible orientation required by your graduate department or as a new GTA, etc.

      If you do not have a social security number:

  1. In-Person SSN application at the Lawrence Social Security Administration (SSA). This is only possible after requesting SSN Letter and completing ISS check-in after arrival. Please see the "SSN Application Process" section below for important details.)

 

SSN Application Process (if you do not already have one)

If you do not have a Social Security Number (SSN), you must apply for one before you can finalize your onboarding process at KU. It can take 1-2 weeks from arrival to obtain an SSN and be put on payroll.

Step 1:  Submit "Request SSN Letter for On-Campus Jobs (F-1)"
  • This form can be found on the ‘ISS Check-in Checklist’ under the ‘Requests’ section on the home page of iHawk. This form is available and you are encouraged to start the process now.  
  • Complete the e-form with your information and your Employer Contact information. Your Employer Contact is the person who offered you employment (such as a faculty member or departmental office staff). If you do not know who your employer contact is, ask your department before you fill out this form.
  • If you are a J-1 student (and KU is your program sponsor), submit the “On-Campus Work Permit Request” e-form instead.
  • You will need this letter in order to apply for the SSN.  This letter can be issued only after your arrival to the U.S. and will be provided to you at your scheduled ISS check-in appointment (during orientation).  Please be sure to have the e-form completed before your ISS Check-In appointment.  Again, this form is available and you are encouraged to start the process now.  
Step 2: Finish all required e-forms in iHawk upon arrival to KU Campus
  • Finish uploading all required immigration documents in the ‘ISS Check-in Checklist’, including “Report Your U.S. Arrival (Upload I-94)” (only possible after entry into the U.S.) and “Local U.S. Address” e-forms.
Step 3: Attend required ISS Check-in
  • *Early ISS Check-in (for graduate assistants needing an SSN ONLY)*:
  • At the required ISS check-in, an ISS immigration advisor will review all of your uploaded immigration documents. Upon review and legal status is confirmed, the ISS advisor will register/validate your SEVIS record (required before applying for an SSN).
  • The ISS advisor will also issue you the requested “F-1 SSN Letter for On-Campus Jobs” (or “On-campus Work Permit” for J-1s), which you will need in order to apply for the SSN in-person at the Social Security Administration (SSA) office.
  • The ISS advisor will also provide you with detailed instructions on how to apply for the SSN.
Step 4: Complete online SSN application and visit the SSA office in-person to apply
  • Follow the specific instructions provided to you at the ISS Check-in.
  • You will be instructed to start the SSN application online and then visit the Social Security Administration office in Lawrence with your original immigration documents and online SSN application reference number. 

If you skip this final step and DO NOT go to the SSA office in-person with your original immigration documents to finalize the SSA application, you will NOT be issued an SSN and therefore not put on payroll for on-campus employment.

 

Summer 2025 Arrival

  • Information Forthcoming 

 

Fall 2025 Arrival

  • Information Forthcoming