Graduate students are not paid until: 1) they have accepted their contract, 2) they have completed their federal paperwork, and 3) have worked.
Graduate students are paid on the 20th of the month and the total salary is divided between the number of months during which the job will take place.
Federal paperwork for any and all employment in the US
All persons employed in the United States must complete an I-9 form within 3 days of the start of a job. Students complete this paperwork in the Student Employment Office (1st floor, 20 Washington Place) which is open Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm.
The I-9 must be completed in person and the employee must show original documents that establish their identity and eligibility for work. An employee needs a Social Security number to complete the I-9.