The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Office of Human Resources Division of Finance and Administration
Student Employment FAQs
Handshake
As a UTRGV student, you automatically have a Handshake account. All you need to do is use the myUTRGV portal using your myUTRGV sign-in credentials and activate your Handshake account by signing in and updating your Handshake profile, including uploading your resume, course schedule, cover letter, etc.
Yes, all previous UTRGV, UTB, and UTPA students can obtain what is known as ‘Handshake Alumni Access’ to navigate and use the resources Handshake has to offer. Contact the Career Center for more information in receiving your Alumni access at careercenter@utrgv.edu or 956-882-5627 (Brownsville office) / 956-665-2243 (Edinburg office).
It is recommended that you wait one week from the date you applied to the job posting. If you have not received a phone call or an email with any feedback, it is recommended to reach out to the department(s) you have applied to. You can reach out to them via email, phone call, or drop by and visit them in person.
The Career Center offers services such as resume reviews, mock interviews (practice interviews), career path explorations, and much more. If you would like to set up an appointment regarding any of these services feel free to reach them at any of their numbers listed: 956-882-5627 (Brownsville office) / 956-665-2243 (Edinburg office) or via email at careercenter@utrgv.edu.
On-Campus Employment
Students must be enrolled at UTRGV in order to apply for student employment on campus
- US citizens or residents must be enrolled at least 6 credit hours (some positions might require more credit hours’ enrollment than others).
- International students must be enrolled full time (12 credit hours or more).
- Undergraduate student employees may work up to 19 hours per week.
- Graduate students may work up to 20 hours per week.
International Students are permitted to work on campus, with Direct Wage option for undergraduates or assistantships for graduate students. Must be enrolled full time (minimum of 12 credit hours for undergraduate, 9 credit hours for Graduate students).
- Direct-Wage employment offers the opportunity to work on campus without having a work-study award. Any student enrolled at least half time (6 credit hours) in UTRGV qualifies to work as a direct wage employee. International students can be hired through direct wage and are required to be enrolled a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester.
- Work-Study is a state and/or government subsidized student employment program designed to assist US citizen or resident students in financing their post-secondary education. First you must apply for admissions to UTRGV and complete and submit the free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Then be enrolled at least 6 credit hours per semester and meet the SAP (Satisfactory Academic Performance). Your eligibility for financial aid is determined by a number of factors, which can be discussed with the Financial Aid Office.
If you are not able to see Work-Study positions in Handshake, your Handshake account might not be set as a work-study eligible account. To solve this, contact a Career Center representative and show them via email proof of your Work-Study award on Assist>Financial Aid>Award>Award for Aid Year. A pdf of the website or picture will suffice.
No, all Student Employees must work under the 19 hours, regardless of Summer, and holidays.
EPAF/CPAF
Your supervisor will have access to see where your PAF is currently pending after they have created it. Contact your supervisor to hear on any updates and/or questions prior to your first day of employment.
CBC/I-9 LINKS and Onboarding Information
Prior to employment at the university, all student employees need to fill out a Criminal Background Check (CBC) and an I-9 form. These links will be sent to you via email, either by your supervisor or the Student Employment Office at UTRGV. If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out to our office at studentemployment@utrgv.edu.