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International Student Services
On-Campus EmploymentF-1 students are generally permitted to work on campus while attending school and maintaining F-1 status. Work during the fall/spring semesters must be limited to 20 hours per week. Work during official College break periods may be up to 40 hours per week. No permission is required for this type of work as long as it qualifies as a work-study or non-work study position on campus. Prior to earning wages through on-campus employment, a Social Security card must be obtained from the U.S. Social Security Administration. For more information on obtaining a social security card, visit the Frequently Asked Questions page. Off-Campus Employment/InternshipsEmployment Due to Economic HardshipA student may be authorized for off-campus employment due to urgent economic necessity beyond the student's control that occurred after obtaining F-1 status. This form of off-campus employment must be recommended by the DSO and approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. A student may not begin off-campus employment until he or she receives an Employment Authorization Document from USCIS. Please see the DSO immediately if you need to request off-campus employment due to economic hardship. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) (Internships)Work experiences (internships), paid or unpaid, which are an established part of an academic program are considered "curricular practical training." To be eligible for CPT, students must either receive course credit for the work experience or it must be an established part of the curriculum in the program of study. A student must request and be approved for this type of employment prior to starting. The Designated School Official (DSO) in the Office of Academic Affairs authorizes CPT employment. Students must have been continuously enrolled on a full-time basis for at least one full academic year to be eligible. CPT requires a written job offer and requires a recommendation by the DSO. Academic work experiences may be full-time or part-time during the academic year depending on curriculum requirements. Students interested in receiving a recommendation for curricular practical training should make an appointment with the DSO in the Office of Academic Affairs at least 30-60 days prior to the desired start of the work experience. For a CPT information packet and application materials, visit the Office of Academic Affairs or the Student Forms page. Optional Practical Training (OPT)Students in valid F-1 status may be eligible for OPT employment in jobs which are directly related to the student's field of study, for a period of up to 12 months. Training may occur during or after the program of study. Work prior to the completion of studies may be part-time during the fall/spring semester or full-time during College break periods. Work after the completion of studies must be full-time. No job offer is required. A student must be approved for this type of employment prior to starting. The Designated School Official and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Service Center authorizes OPT employment. Wait times for employment authorization may vary widely, taking anywhere from 30-90 days. Please Note: The completed application for OPT authorization must be received by the USCIS Service Center BEFORE the student's completion of studies date on his or her I-20. Therefore, all application materials need to be completed and mailed at least one week in advance of the end date on the I-20. Students interested in completing an OPT authorization application should make an appointment with the DSO in the Office of Academic Affairs at least 30-60 days prior to the completion of studies date on the Form I-20. For an OPT information packet and application materials, visit the Office of Academic Affairs or the Student Forms page. |
