FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Finding and Applying for On-Campus Jobs
Federal Work-Study Eligibility and Funding
PowerForms, PAFs, Rehires, and Employment Activation
Form I-9 Employment Verification
Work Hours, FTE, Multiple Jobs, and University Breaks
Pay Rates, Payroll, and Firefly
Finding and Applying for On-Campus Jobs
Where do I find on-campus student jobs at UNO?
UNO on-campus student jobs are listed in Handshake. Sign in with your UNO credentials, search for on-campus opportunities, and follow the official application link contained in each posting. Career Services appointments for help with an on-campus job search can also be scheduled through Handshake.
Can I get a UNO student job if I do not have previous work experience?
Yes, many UNO student jobs do not require previous work experience. Review each posting’s minimum qualifications and apply for positions that match your availability, interests, coursework, transferable skills, and willingness to learn. A department may still list prior experience as required or preferred for a particular position.
Can I email my résumé directly to the department instead of applying online?
No, an emailed résumé does not replace the official online application. Students may discover a position through Handshake, but they must complete the application through the official posting link. PeopleAdmin instructs departments not to accept applications offline.
Does receiving Federal Work-Study mean I already have an on-campus job?
No, a Federal Work-Study award does not guarantee a job. Work-Study establishes potential funding eligibility, but the student must still search for positions, submit applications, interview, and be selected by a hiring department.
When can an incoming UNO student begin applying for on-campus jobs?
An incoming student may begin searching and applying after admission and access to UNO credentials and Handshake. Available positions change throughout the year, and additional openings may appear closer to the beginning of a semester. Being admitted or submitting an application does not authorize the student to begin working; all hiring, I-9, and appointment-processing requirements must be completed first.
Federal Work-Study Eligibility and Funding
How do I check if a UNO student is Work-Study eligible?
A department representative should verify the student’s accepted Federal Work-Study allocation directly in PeopleSoft. Use Financial Aid > Awards > View Work Study Approval, select NEUNO as the academic institution, and choose the current aid year. Do not rely solely on a student’s statement, award estimate, or screenshot. Departments that lack access should request it through Financial Support and Scholarships; the current training identifies Ash Tibbels as the access contact.
Does every Work-Study posting need a new position number?
A Work-Study hire must be placed on an established Work Study position number, but each posting does not automatically require a brand-new number. More than one student may use the same position number when the students share the same time approver, because only one time approver is permitted for each position number. To request a new number, the current training directs departments to provide Dylan Goracke with the department and organizational unit, the position title, and the time approver’s name, personnel number, and position number.
Can any UNO student job be funded through Federal Work-Study?
Most student positions may use Federal Work-Study, but Graduate Assistant positions and positions supported by another federal or grant funding source may not. The funding source and appointment type must be confirmed before the student is placed on a Work Study position number.
When a department is willing to hire either an eligible Work-Study student or a regular student worker, the PeopleAdmin posting should be labeled “Student Worker or Work Study.” A posting labeled only “Work Study” limits the pool to students with verified eligibility.
Can I pay a Work-Study student less because part of the wage is federally funded?
No, Work-Study status is not a valid reason to pay a student more or less than a similarly situated student worker. The rate should reflect the position’s duties, responsibility level, and required qualifications, not whether the wages come from Work-Study or departmental funds. Standard Student Worker and Student Work Study positions use the same 2026 wage range.
What happens when a student uses all of their Work-Study award?
The student may continue working only after the department establishes another approved funding arrangement or receives confirmation of additional Work-Study eligibility. When departmental funding is available, the department may transition the employee from Work Study to Student Worker status through an organizational-change PAF and update the position number and title. Additional Work-Study allocation may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, but it must not be assumed or promised in advance.
What happens to Work-Study if the student withdraws from all classes?
A student who withdraws from all courses must stop earning Federal Work-Study funds effective on the withdrawal date. Any continued employment would require a separately approved Student Worker appointment and an appropriate departmental funding source.
Navigating PeopleAdmin
How do I log in to UNO PeopleAdmin?
Log in through UNO’s PeopleAdmin single sign-on page using your NetID and Duo authentication. The secure address is https://unomaha.peopleadmin.com/hr/shibboleth. Do not enter credentials into the generic PeopleAdmin login screen; select “SSO Authentication” if that screen appears.
Which PeopleAdmin position type do I use for a student employee?
Use the “Student/Work Study/GA” position type for UNO student employment positions. This category includes Student Workers, Work-Study students, Graduate Student Workers, and Graduate Assistants. Do not use “Temporary/Part-Time” merely because the student will work part time.
To start from a blank form, choose “Create from position type.” To reuse a prior job as a template, choose “Create from Posting” and carefully update the department, contact, dates, pay, schedule, position number, and search access.
Why will Student Employment not post my student job?
Student Employment will not post a requisition until the required posting information, Search Chair or Manager, and close date are complete. The budget section should also identify the cost center, position number, budgeted amount, and student FTE. The Search Chair or Manager is especially important because that person is the primary user authorized to take action on applications.
After reviewing the completed summary, use “Take Action on Posting” to move the requisition to the Student Employment Specialist.
How long does a UNO student job need to be posted?
A student posting should remain open for at least seven calendar days before the department completes the selection process, unless an appropriate search waiver is approved. An urgent desired start date does not eliminate the posting, application, I-9, PAF, or onboarding requirements. Departments should choose a realistic close date that provides students a fair opportunity to apply.
How do I review, advance, or reject applicants in PeopleAdmin?
Switch to the Hiring/Search Manager or Search Committee Member user group, open the posting, and select the “Applicants” tab. Use the available workflow action to move each applicant forward or disposition the applicant with the appropriate non-selection reason. The available actions depend on the applicant’s current workflow state.
Closing a posting prevents new applications, but it does not remove the department’s responsibility to update the statuses of people who already applied.
How do I add someone to the PeopleAdmin search committee if I cannot find them?
Use “Add Existing User,” and email unoemployment@unomaha.edu if the employee does not appear in the PeopleAdmin search. Include the employee’s name, email address, and the access they need, such as Search Chair, Hiring Manager, or committee-member access.
PowerForms, PAFs, Rehires, and Employment Activation
What has to be completed before a new student employee becomes active?
A student’s I-9, DocuSign PowerForms, and Personnel Action Form must all be completed and processed before the appointment is fully active in SAP. When a new employee cannot access time entry or does not yet have a personnel number, one of those three requirements is commonly incomplete or still awaiting processing. The department should verify each item and contact UNO Records or Human Resources to identify what is missing.
Is the PAF included in the student’s DocuSign PowerForm?
No, the PAF and Form I-9 are separate from the DocuSign PowerForm. The department must initiate the appropriate PowerForm, complete the PAF separately, route the PAF for approvals, and complete the I-9 through the designated I-9 system.
What is included in the Student New Hire PowerForm?
The Student New Hire PowerForm contains the general employment documents the student must complete and then returns to the designated PAF coordinator for departmental completion. The packet includes the Personnel Data Form, direct-deposit information, federal and state W-4 forms, confidentiality and security agreements, policy acknowledgments, demographic information, and I-9 instructions.
After the student signs, the business manager or PAF coordinator must complete the department fields and forward the packet. It will not continue to HR merely because the student completed their portion.
Where do I send a completed student PAF?
After all required approvals are obtained, send the student PAF and required offer documentation to unorecords@unomaha.edu. Continue routing the PAF as a PDF through the required approval process before sending it to HR. Do not attach the completed DocuSign new-hire forms again, because HR already receives those forms through the PowerForm workflow.
Does a returning student employee need a new I-9?
A student who has been separated from UNO employment needs rehire paperwork and a new I-9, while an active student who is changing or adding positions generally needs updated PowerForm and PAF documentation but not a new I-9. Departments should verify the student’s current employment status in SAP instead of assuming the student is still active.
When a student leaves a department, submit a separation PAF unless the appointment was intentionally established to remain active. Failing to process a separation leaves the student attached to the position and may continue to affect departmental employment records and budget lines.
Form I-9 Employment Verification
When are Sections 1 and 2 of the Form I-9 due?
The employee must complete Section 1 by the end of the first workday, and the employer must complete Section 2 within three business days of that first workday. UNO encourages departments to complete both sections before the start date whenever possible so the appointment can be processed before the student begins.
The employee completes Section 1 at www.newi9.com using UNO employer code 15249.
What documents should I tell the student to bring for the I-9?
Give the student the complete List of Acceptable Documents and allow the student to choose which valid documents to present. A department may not require a passport, Social Security card, driver’s license, or any other specific document. The employee may present one List A document or a valid combination of one List B and one List C document, and the documents must be unexpired.
For an in-person I-9, the employee must present original documents rather than ordinary photocopies.
Can a student start working if they forgot their I-9 documents?
No, the student should not begin working until the I-9 is complete. UNO’s current training recommends a first-day I-9 hold when a student arrives without acceptable documents. The student should be told before the start date to bring the required original documents and should not perform compensable work while the I-9 remains incomplete.
Can UNO complete an I-9 remotely?
Yes, an authorized remote I-9 may be completed through a live video call using the alternative verification procedure. Before the video meeting, the employee must provide clear and legible copies of the front and back of the documents. During the call, the employee displays the documents on camera, the authorized representative inspects them, and the representative marks that an alternative procedure was used. Copies must be retained as required by the procedure.
International new hires should follow the HR appointment process rather than having a department independently choose a remote process.
What do I do if an I-9 is late or stuck on “Photo Matching”?
Document a late I-9 with the I-9 Explanation Form, and do not treat Section 2 as complete until the system shows “Employment Authorized.” Upload the explanation in the I-9 portal using the “Other” document type. An explanation documents the circumstances but does not erase the compliance violation.
When the status says “Photo Matching,” open the Photo Matching step, compare the displayed image with the document examined, and complete the verification. Contact HR whenever the final status is anything other than employment authorized.
Work Hours, FTE, Multiple Jobs, and University Breaks
How many hours can a UNO student employee work?
A UNO student employee may work no more than 20 hours per week, or .49 FTE, during the fall and spring academic terms. During a university-recognized break, a student may work up to 40 hours per week when the department has available work and funding. Federal Work-Study summer hours also depend on the availability of summer Work-Study funding.
Can a UNO student have two on-campus jobs?
Yes, a student may hold multiple on-campus jobs, but the combined hours and FTE across all positions must remain within the student-employment limit. The 20-hour maximum applies to the student, not separately to each department. Hiring managers must communicate with the student and the other employing department before finalizing the second appointment.
What FTE should I use for 5, 10, 15, or 20 hours per week?
Use .13 FTE for 5 hours, .25 FTE for 10 hours, .38 FTE for 15 hours, and .49 FTE for 20 hours. UNO uses .49, rather than .50, for a student appointment scheduled at the 20-hour maximum. The schedule should be communicated in the posting, interview, and offer.
What happens if a student already works 20 hours and wants another campus job?
The student cannot accept another campus job unless the current department reduces its FTE and the departments coordinate a combined appointment of no more than .49 FTE. When the current department cannot reduce the schedule, the student must choose whether to remain in the current position or leave it for the new position. A department should not submit a second 20-hour appointment and expect Student Employment or HR to reconcile it afterward.
Can a student get permission to work more than 20 hours during the semester?
A domestic student may exceed 20 hours only through UNO’s limited exception process, and an exception may authorize no more than 35 hours per week. The student must generally be in at least the second semester at UNO, remain in academic good standing, have cumulative and recent-term GPAs of at least 2.5, enroll in no more than 15 credit hours, and obtain support from the supervisor and academic advisor. An updated PAF and signed exception agreement are also required.
The exception is not available to international students on a visa during the academic term.
Pay Rates, Payroll, and Firefly
What is the hourly pay range for a UNO student employee in 2026?
The 2026 wage range for standard Student Worker and Student Work Study positions is $15.00 to $16.50 per hour. The same range applies regardless of whether the wages come from departmental funds or Federal Work-Study. A department may not exceed the applicable maximum without an appropriate higher-paying classification or Human Resources approval.
Can I call a student job an internship so I can pay more than $16.50 per hour?
No, a job may not be classified as an internship merely to access a higher wage range. A bona fide internship should include work aligned with the student’s academic or professional field, structured learning outcomes, project-based or discipline-specific responsibilities, specialized qualifications, and supervision designed to develop professional competence.
For 2026, the undergraduate-internship range extends to $20.50 per hour and the graduate-internship range extends to $26.10 per hour, but the duties and learning structure must support the classification. Otherwise, an HR-approved exception is required to exceed the standard maximum.
Should I post one hourly rate or a pay range for a student position?
UNO recommends posting one clear hourly rate for most standardized student-worker positions. A single rate makes applicant expectations clearer and supports consistent starting pay among students performing substantially similar duties. A range may be appropriate only when the department has defined and documented criteria for placement within that range.
Can I pay two students different rates for the same job?
Different rates for substantially similar student work must be supported by documented, job-related factors and applied consistently. Relevant factors may include directly related experience, a required credential, demonstrated technical skill, higher-level duties, ongoing lead responsibility, or a documented equity adjustment. Personal preference, negotiation skill, or access to Work-Study funding is not a sufficient explanation.
The department should retain the pay justification with the student’s employment or pay records.
Why can’t my new student employee enter time in Firefly?
The student usually cannot enter time because the appointment is not active in SAP, most often because the I-9, PowerForm, or PAF is missing or unprocessed. Confirm that all three items were completed and sent through the correct workflow. UNO Records or HR can determine which item is preventing activation.
Where do I find a personnel number or position number in Firefly?
The personnel number is found in Firefly under ESS > My Employment > Position Overview, and the position number is found under ESS > About Me > Compensation. A true new hire will not receive a personnel number until the PAF has been processed.
Who should a student contact about a missing paycheck, tax withholding, or direct-deposit problem?
UNO Payroll should answer questions about paycheck amounts, payroll dates, tax withholding, deductions, and direct-deposit transactions. The Student Employment team can help determine whether the appointment and hiring workflow were completed, but it does not calculate payroll or interpret a student’s tax withholding. Direct-deposit and federal and state W-4 forms are initially collected through the hiring PowerForm.
International Student Hiring
Can an F-1 international student work in an on-campus job at UNO?
Yes, an F-1 student may apply for and hold an eligible on-campus job after the required immigration and university hiring requirements are satisfied. Admission to UNO, possession of a student visa, receipt of an offer, or issuance of a Social Security number does not by itself authorize the student to begin working. The student must complete the employment, I-9, and immigration-related steps applicable to the appointment.
Do I need a Social Security number before I can apply for a UNO student job?
No, a Social Security number is not required merely to search or apply for an on-campus job. Incoming students may begin applying after admission and access to UNO credentials and Handshake. After receiving an offer, the student must follow the instructions from International Programs and Human Resources for employment authorization, hiring documents, and any Social Security number process. A Social Security number identifies the worker for tax and payroll purposes; it is not independent permission to work.
Is there a minimum GPA for every UNO student job?
No, UNO does not have one university-wide minimum GPA that applies to every student-employment position. A particular department may establish academic standing, major, coursework, GPA, or technical requirements when those qualifications are relevant to the job. Students should review the qualifications in each posting rather than assuming one standard applies to every position.
Can an international student work more than 20 hours per week during the semester?
No, an international student on a visa may not exceed 20 hours per week during the fall or spring term. The domestic-student exception process does not override the immigration-based limit. International students may work up to 40 hours during a university-recognized break when their immigration status, appointment, departmental funding, and work availability permit it.
Who completes the I-9 for an international student, and who answers immigration questions?
International new hires complete I-9 Section 2 through Human Resources, while International Programs or International Advising handles questions about F-1 status and employment authorization. The hiring department should direct the student to schedule the required HR appointment rather than independently interpreting immigration documents or deciding whether the student is authorized to work.