Employment

International students are required to submit an Affidavit of Financial Support and Bank Statement along with their application to the university. This is a requirement for admission and issuance of Form I-20/DS2019. They are expected to have the funds required to pay for their education. F-1/J-1 students are not eligible for Financial Aid. Employment is a benefit of the F-1/J-1 status and is not guaranteed.

Always consult with a FSA before starting any employment. It is extremely important to keep in mind that it is your responsibility to engage only in employment authorized as permissible for F-1/J-1 students. Any unauthorized employment-even if it is for a few hours, and/or you did not know it was unauthorized, places you out of status and possibly terminates your status in the United States.

How to obtain a Social Security Number (SSN)

Students are advised to wait for a minimum of ten (10) days after arrival in the United States before applying for a Social Security Number (SSN). This gives USCIS & DHS sufficient time to record your arrival and status in their databases.

In order to apply for a Social Security Number you must have the following documents:

  1. On-Campus Job Offer Letter;
  2. Letter from the IESC verifying enrollment and job offer;
  3. Letter from the IESC authorizing employment for J-1 students only;
  4. Valid Passport;
  5. I-20 form; and
  6. I-94 form.

You must present these documents to the Social Security Administration together with an application for a SSN.

Students who are ineligible to receive a SSN may obtain a Tax Identification Number (TIN). For more information visit http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/international/article/0,,id=96696,00.html

CATEGORIES OF F-1 STUDENT EMPLOYMENT

On-campus Employment

You are eligible to work On-campus on a part time basis, which is 20 hours per week or less when school is in session. During vacation periods (summer and winter), if you are eligible and intend to register for the next semester, you may work on campus for 21 hours or more, which is defined as full-time employment. To apply for an on-campus job, you will need your IESC work permit and your social security card. Additionally, you will need to complete a Clearance Form and I-9, which must be endorsed by the IESC and submitted to the Office of Human Resources on campus.

Important: Work permits have expiration dates and must be renewed prior to expiration.

Off-campus Employment (Economic Hardship)

An eligible F-1/J-1 student may request off-campus employment based upon severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond their control. F-1 students must have been in student status for one academic year and must be able to clearly document the circumstances causing the economic need. Approval is subject to USCIS adjudication. J-1 students may request employment authorization from the Responsible Official (RO).

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Curricular Practical Training is defined as a work experience that is an integral part of your program of study. A field assignment/employment must be part of an Internship course in your major. You are eligible for CPT after nine months presence in the U.S. as an F-1 student. See a FSA for application, and the required approval in case of paid internships. The deadline to obtain CPT approval is the Add/Drop deadline for each semester.

J-1 students may be eligible to participate in academic training under certain circumstances. Consult with the RO in the IESC for eligibility requirements.

Important: CPT dates coincide with the start and end dates of classes for each semester. Once a CPT has been authorized in SEVIS no changes except for cancellations can be made.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional Practical Training provides an opportunity for you to apply theoretical knowledge gained from your academic program to a practical employment experience.

Read more about Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Note: Students may be authorized to work 20 hours per week during semesters and 40 hours per week during vacations when authorized to work under any of the above work categories.

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Employment