# Frequently Asked Questions ## expand\_more Student FAQs Open all sections Close all sections ### Who can I call about my paycheck or anything payroll related? expand\_more Call the Harvard Payroll Office at 617-495-8500, option 4. Please do not call the Harvard Student Employment Office as the information available to us is limited. ### I don't see WST as a Time Reporting Code anymore. What now? expand\_more Report the time as REG so that there is no disruption in pay then contact the [Harvard Student Employment Office](mailto:seofwsp@fas.harvard.edu) to report the missing Time Reporting Code. ### Can a student work during winter recess, spring break, etc.? expand\_more Students may continue their employment during winter recess, spring break, or the summer, provided that they will be re-enrolling the following semester. They should not be required to work on any day that the university is closed for an observed holiday, nor should they work on-site when an office is closed. With clear instruction and supervisor approval, student employees may work remotely when an office is closed, as long as it's not an observed holiday. Students utilizing their Federal Work Study awards may also work during winter recess or spring break. Federal Work Study can also be used over the Summer semester. However, students may need to apply for Summer FWSP with their school. [Learn more about Summer Federal Work Study](/summer-fwsp). ### Do I have to file a Massachusetts Tax Return? expand\_more Massachusetts taxes residents on income from all sources and nonresidents only on income derived from Massachusetts. For up-to-date information about filing a Massachusetts tax return, please visit the [Student Financial Services website](https://sfs.harvard.edu/filing-massachusetts-state-taxes). **Please note:** Harvard as an institution ***does not advise on any personal income tax requirements or issues***. Use of any information from this site or any other web site referred to is for general information only and does not represent personal tax advice either express or implied. You are encouraged to seek professional tax advice for personal income tax questions and assistance. ### Do I have to file a Federal Tax Return? expand\_more Generally, you must file a Federal income tax return if you receive a specified minimum amount of gross income for the calendar year. For up to date information on filing a federal tax return, please visit the [Student Financial Services website](https://sfs.harvard.edu/filing-taxes). **Please note:** Harvard as an institution ***does not advise on any personal income tax requirements or issues***. Use of any information from this site or any other web site referred to is for general information only and does not represent personal tax advice either express or implied. You are encouraged to seek professional tax advice for personal income tax questions and assistance. ### How many jobs can I have? expand\_more You may work any number of jobs provided you do not exceed the recommended 20 hours per week total. ### What is the Term Time Work Expectation? expand\_more You are expected to contribute toward the cost of your education through a *Term Time Work Expectation*. Although this isn't necessarily toward the cost of tuition. Books, school supplies, travel to and from home, and other personal expenses are considered part of the overall cost of attending Harvard College. The important thing to understand is that earnings through a part time job **do not** have to be paid to Harvard or to the Financial Aid Office. If you have an outside award it will first reduce your *Term Time Work Expectation*. For example it is typical for upperclassmen to have a work expectation of $3,500. If a student receives an outside award for $2,500 it will lower her/his work expectation to $1,000. If you are Federal Work Study eligible then this outside award will reduce your Work Study award. ### Am I required to have a job while attending Harvard? expand\_more While you are not required to work while attending Harvard it is a good idea for a variety of reasons: - Working builds your resume and teaches you relevant job skills. - Familiarizes you with working in an office, lab, or other professional environment. - Fulfills your term time work expectation. - Provides you with disposable income. ### How many hours can I work per week? expand\_more Undergraduates may work up to a total of 20 hours per week during the academic school year. Graduate students should check with their school's financial aid office for each school's policy on number of hours permitted to work per week. Graduate and undergraduate students may work up to 40 hours per week during breaks (Spring Break, Reading Period, Winter Recess, etc.). There is no compensation for lunch or break times, vacation days, or holidays. International students are [subject to visa restrictions ](https://www.hio.harvard.edu/campus-employment)and should check with their HIO advisor if they have questions about how many hours they can work and what time of year.