Notice:

While your first priority is studying, you may want to earn a little spending money. Working on campus is a great way to do this. Working here can not pay for living and tuition. You should not expect to pay your own way with a job as most student employees earn only $300 per month.

Finding a job is your opportunity to get experience with the American idea a job search! You may want to start here a the Student Employment web page!

On Campus Employment

• All students are able to work on-campus
• 20 hours a week during school
• 40 hours during a school break (vacation)
• Employment opportunities are those positions which support the student body

Off Campus Employment

• Only offered to those who have unforeseen economic hardship, internship with an International Organization or Special Student Relief program
• Student must be issued an EAD (Employment Authorization Document) card from BCIS (Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services)
• 20 hours a week during school
• 40 hours a week during a school break (vacation)

Severe Economic Hardship

• Definition loss of financial aid or on-campus employment without fault on the part of the student, substantial fluctuations in the value of currency or exchange rate, inordinate increases in tuition and/or living costs, unexpected changes in the financial condition of the students source of support, medical bills, or other substantial and unexpected expenses.
• Procedures
  • Statement describing the unforeseen hardship situation
    • Letter from home stating the change in family circumstances
    • Proof of currency devaluation in the students country
  • Explain why other employment options are unavailable or insufficient
  • Complete Form I-765 (c) (3) (iii)
  • Obtain 2 ADIT style photos
  • $120.00 check
  • Contact DSO official to complete the process

Optional Practical Training for F-1 Students (OPT)

• Definition: temporary employment for practical training directly related to the students major area of study
• Apply 4 months before Graduation
• Application can be picked up from the IIC Office
• Duration: 1 Year less a day maximum. Must use within 14 months of graduation
• Cost of OPT is $175.00 (As of May 1, 2004)
• Must apply to another school, for residency, or H-1B visa before end date on EAD

Curricular Practical Training for F-1 Students (CPT)

• Definition: an integral part of an established curriculum
• Must provide letter from Advisor stating the integral part this training will provide for the curriculum
• Must provide a letter from the Company stating the start date and end date
• Duration: 1 Year less a day. Full-time status of CPT for more than one year will eliminate eligibility for OPT

Part-Time Enrollment Authorization

• DSO’s authorization required – Exceptions to the full-course-of-study requirement
• Illness or Medical Condition – must provide “medical documentation from a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or licensed clinical psychologist”
• Initial Difficulty with the English Language
• Improper Course Level Placement
• To Complete Course of Study (Graduate) in Current Term

Program Extension

• Requirements to be eligible for extension of program:
• Contact DSO and update SEVIS before program completion date
• Continually maintained status
• The delay in completion is “caused by compelling academic or medical reasons, such as changes of major or research topics, unexpected research problems, or documented illnesses”
• Academic probation or suspension are not acceptable reasons for program extension

Transferring

• Requirements to transfer to another school
  • Contact current DSO and inform them of two things:
    • Intent to transfer
    • Complete name of the school to which he or she will transfer
  • Must be maintaining status at current school
  • The course of study at the transfer-in school must begin within 5 months of the end of the course of study at the transfer-out school, or the release date set by transfer-out school, whichever is earlier
    • For current OPT participants, the course of study must begin within 5 months of the end of OPT, or the release date set by the transfer-out school, whichever is earlier
  • Must be eligible for an I-20 at the transfer-in school
  • The proper transfer procedures must be followed in SEVIS, within the required deadlines