Student Academic Appointments in Economics

This page outlines the onboarding process for student academic appointments in the Department of Economics, including Teaching Assistants (TA, TA II), Graduate Research Assistants (GRA), and Departmental Research Assistants (DRA, DRA II).

After you receive your offer letter, the department will contact you with instructions regarding the required onboarding materials. Please review and complete all required steps promptly. Missing or incomplete documentation may delay the processing of your appointment and payroll.

Onboarding Checklist:

Social Security Number -or- Social Security Administration Appointment Confirmation (non-U.S. residents).

A Social Security Number is required for all Columbia employees.

If you are a non-U.S. resident and this is your first time working in the United States, you must apply for a Social Security Number. Please click here for detailed instructions.

Students should schedule their Social Security Administration appointment as soon as possible. Once your appointment has been scheduled, please send the appointment confirmation to your program coordinator. The department will provide an on-campus employment letter required for your Social Security Administration appointment.

After you receive your Social Security card, please send a copy of the signed card to your program coordinator.

Completed I-9 Employment Authorization

The I-9 process consists of two required steps:

• Complete Section 1 online.
• Schedule an appointment to complete Section 2 in person at Kent Hall.

If appointments at Kent Hall are not available within a reasonable timeframe, walk-in I-9 services are available at Studebaker. Students who already have a valid I-9 on file with Columbia do not need to complete this step again.

Complete DocuSign Onboarding Packet

The Economics Department Business Manager will send DocuSign packets as needed for required onboarding documents.

In general, students who have worked at Columbia within the past year will not need to complete a new DocuSign packet unless they need to update information already on file. Students who need to update their mailing address, tax forms, or other employment information should contact the Economics Department Business Manager, Eric Meyer, at em3255@columbia.edu.

If you are not a U.S. resident, you must upload the following documents with your DocuSign hiring packet:

• F-1: passport biographical page, Visa, I-94, I-20
• J-1: passport biographical page, Visa, I-94, DS2019

Important: The direct deposit system for Columbia employees (including TAs, DRAs, GRAs, and Casual Employees) is separate from the Student Financial Services (SSOL) direct deposit system. Enrolling in direct deposit through SSOL will not update your employee payroll information.

How To Enroll In Direct Deposit as an Employee

If you are a new Columbia employee and would like your pay deposited directly into your bank account, follow the steps below.

If you do not enroll in direct deposit, your pay will be issued by paper check and mailed to the mailing address listed in People@Columbia (PAC). Changes to direct deposit information generally take effect after one payroll cycle.

1. Log in to People@Columbia (PAC) through the My.Columbia portal.
2. Select the Payroll and Compensation module.
3. Select the Direct Deposit tab.
4. Add your bank account information.
5. Enter your bank routing number and account number.
6. You may designate up to four bank accounts and specify how your payroll should be distributed among them.