Student Employment

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) offers students a diverse experience while attending classes, including the opportunity for student employment. Many students work as a way to not only cover some of the costs of tuition and fees but also to gain valuable experience in the workplace before graduating. 

Please note that job placement is not guaranteed. SAIC participates in the Federal Work-Study (FWS) need-based program and is committed to making jobs available to FWS-eligible students during the fall and spring semesters. Student employment jobs in the summer and winter terms do not require FWS and are available to all students. International students do not require FWS for any job in any semester.

Looking for a copy of your W-2? UKG

Not currently employed, or looking for historical paystubs? Email payroll@artic.edu.

Looking for a current pay stub? UKG

To begin your on-campus job search, log in to Handshake and search for on-campus jobs. If you are logging in for the first time, you will be asked to complete a quick survey about your preferences. All available on-campus jobs are listed exclusively on Handshake. Students are automatically signed up for Handshake through their ARTIC account, and you can sign in to Handshake using your saic.edu username and password.

CAPX: Students should also work closely with an advisor from CAPX (Career & Professional Experience) for assistance with career services such as updating resumes, preparing for job interviews, obtaining an internship, and other career-oriented services. They work with students at all levels and tailor their coaching to serve students' individual needs. They can help students identify strengths, skills, and values, and can assist in exploring career options, fellowships, and grant opportunities; connecting with alumni and professional networks; developing professional portfolios and establishing an online presence; applying for internships, jobs, and other professional opportunities; and preparing for job interviews.

Federal Work-Study eligibility is awarded for fall and spring semesters to degree-seeking students demonstrating financial need as determined by a federal needs analysis application (FAFSA). Students must reapply by filing the FAFSA by March 1 each year before the upcoming award year. The financial aid award year at SAIC always begins with the summer term. Students are responsible for securing and maintaining satisfactory performance of student employment jobs. Although the financial aid award letter lists the amount a student is eligible to earn each semester, it does not guarantee placement in a job.

All continuing students may not exceed 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters, and 40 hours during winter and summer, all jobs combined. Federal Work-Study eligibility is not required to work and is not in use during the summer and winter terms. F-1 visa holders are eligible to work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the fall and spring terms, and 40 hours per week during the summer and winter terms.

• Students must be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours during the fall and spring semesters to work. For the summer or winter terms you must be enrolled in at least three credit hours, or if not enrolled during those terms, be enrolled in six credit hours before or after the term of employment. Student jobs are not available to those who have not yet begun their degree program or those who have graduated from SAIC.
• After a student has agreed to accept a student job (on campus or SAIC Internship), they will need to complete specific federal and institutional required documents such the federal I-9 form, W-4 income tax forms, etc. by visiting Student Payroll located in the Student Financial Services office. Unexpired identification documents as listed on the back of the I-9 form must be provided at that time (copies cannot be accepted). 
• After completing the I-9 form, students must also accept the terms of their work contract known as a Work Authorization in Self-Service, after their supervisor has completed their part of the Work Authorization, before their first day of employment.
• Once beginning work, students must record their time as they work on UKG Workforce Management, SAIC's electronic time and attendance system. Further information regarding UKG is available on this website and related documents. The Student Employment UKG Guide will help answer many questions about the system itself.
• Domestic (citizens and eligible non-citizens) students must, in most cases, demonstrate need by applying for aid with the FAFSA application at fafsa.gov to be eligible for Federal Work-Study (FWS). FWS is not needed to accept a student employment job and is not needed during the summer and winter terms for any student, domestic or international.

I-9 sessions are available only on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. No appointment is necessary. Please review and complete the I-9 packet before your visit and remember to bring your unexpired original documents. All first time student employees at SAIC, including TA and RA positions, must complete an I-9 before approving a work authorization. 

I-9 Packet and Drug-Free Workplace Certificate
Instructions for Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification

Online timesheets must be submitted through UKG Workforce Management every other Monday by 10:00 a.m., with dates indicated in the student payroll schedule. After the student submits the timesheet, their supervisor will review the hours for accuracy. They will then approve the time card for payment. Workforce Management is located within ukg.artic.edu.

Please Note:

Graduate Students with Teaching Assistant or Instructor of Records positions will be paid via a stipend. They are no longer required to record their hours in ARTICtime.

Direct Deposit is available to those students with savings or checking accounts. Direct Deposit offers students a more timely and efficient manner of electronically depositing their paycheck directly into their bank account and is greatly encouraged by SAIC. Students should enroll in Direct Deposit by completing the required bank information in UKG.

Students who choose not to enroll in Direct Deposit will have paper checks issued on the scheduled payroll dates. Students will have their paper checks mailed to their student mailing address as indicated in Self-Service.

Students employed by the Art Institute are eligible to save on a tax-deferred basis by enrolling in the Art Institute's Tax Deferred Savings Program. Build your savings in a 403(b) while deferring payment of income taxes on contributions and investment earnings.

SAIC Tax-Deferred Savings Program
Tax Deferred Savings Program Notice of Availability 

SAIC students, who hold regular full-time, part-time, special projects, temporary staff or faculty positions at SAIC or AIC, are not eligible for student employee positions. If a student applies for and receives a financial aid award package that includes student employment earning eligibility they will not qualify for this award if they are employed in a regular full-time, part-time, special projects, temporary staff or faculty position at SAIC or AIC while enrolled at SAIC. A student eligible for student employment, who applies for and is offered a regular full-time, part-time, special projects, temporary staff or faculty position, will not be able to work in a student employment position at SAIC, and have to discontinue their student employment if working as a student employee at the time they begin employment at SAIC or AIC as a regular full-time, part-time, special projects or temporary staff or faculty member.

The only exception to this policy will be made for students who are staff or faculty members and who have a TA position. For these students who hold regular full-time, part-time, special projects, temporary staff or faculty positions at SAIC or AIC, their TA position will be paid as a temporary staff job through the staff employee payroll rather than the student employee payroll. In order to hire a person as a TA, a Position Requisition and Personnel Action form will need to be completed, including the appropriate signatures, and forwarded to Human Resources. 

For assistance with this process, please speak to the hiring department's Administrative Director.