Reporting Your Hours

In order to be paid on time if you are an hourly employee, you must complete your weekly timesheet in the university's time and attendance system by the timesheet deadlines. Timesheet deadlines are published by the Payroll Office and are listed by pay period along with all the paydays for the year.

Review these user training guides to learn how to enter time worked. 

 

Pay Checks

All USC employees, including student employees, are required to participate in direct deposit in order to receive a paycheck. Your direct deposit must be set up in the HR/Payroll System immediately after your hire date.

• Complete your HR/Payroll System Onboarding. 
• After you have completed your initial onboarding, you may access paystubs and make your direct deposit changes using Employee Self Service. This Employee Self Service Quick Reference [pdf] provides more information.

 

Pay Lag

You will be paid on a pay lag. A pay lag means earnings for the first half of the month will be paid at the end of the month and earnings for the second half of the month will be paid the following month on the 15^th day.

 

Pay Dates

All USC employees, including students, are paid on the 15^th and last day of each month.

 

Taxes

 As a student employee, you will be required to file income tax returns each year that you are employed. Review these tax items to ensure you understand how they apply to you

Expand allFICA Exemption

 If you are a student regularly attending classes, you might be exempt from FICA (a payroll tax for Social Security and Medicaid).

To be exempt, you must meet the university's minimum enrollment hours. The table below lists the minimum enrollment hour requirements established by the University for the student FICA exemption to apply. These criteria can change, and exceptions may apply.

Grad Students	Minimum	FICA Status
Fall/Spring	6 Credit Hours	Exempt
Summer	3 Credit Hours	Exempt
Exceptions: Banner type Z, 3,4,5	1 Credit Hour	Exempt

Undergraduate	Minimum	FICA Status
Fall/Spring	6 Credit Hours	Exempt
Summer	3 Credit Hours	Exempt

W-2

 You will receive a W-2 statement in January showing your earnings and tax withholdings from the previous year. This will be needed to file your federal and state tax returns.

The W-2 will be mailed out in January, usually in the last week. You can also opt for an electronic W-2 through the HR/Payroll system. If you are inactive in the system in January, the W-2 will be mailed to your address on file.

1095-C

 You will receive a 1095-C statement in early March, reporting the health coverage offered by USC if you worked for one or more months in the calendar year.

You can opt for an electronic 1095-C through the HR/Payroll system. If you're inactive in the system in January, the 1095-C will be mailed to your address on file.