INFORMATION FOR
As an F-1 student, you may apply for permission to work on campus (at WPU) provided you have been authorized to attend WPU by the U.S. Government AND you are enrolled as a full-time student. There is no minimum time requirement in the US. Students can seek on-campus employment as early as 30 days prior to the start of classes. However, work cannot begin until a student has applied for and received a Social Security Number. (WPU internal policy)
On-campus employment is working directly for an office at WPU (such as your academic department or library).
OR
Working for a commercial firm that is contracted by WPU which provides direct services to the University (such as the Bookstore or Dining Services) can also be considered on-campus employment. When offered employment from these departments, please come to the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) prior to accepting employment.
There is one specific case when on-campus employment may take place at a non-WPU site. This is if a company/agency has funded a research project with a professor(s) that is directly related to your studies, but the check for compensation is issued through the research grant. The site may also be located off campus if it is educationally affiliated with WPU and, if it is appropriate for your degree level and if your supervisor at WPU directly supervises the work. When offered employment from these outside-funded projects, please seek advice from the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) prior to accepting employment.
An F-1 student will need to bring his/her current I-20 and employment offer letter to the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS). The OISS will confirm your full-time enrollment (12 credits for undergraduates and 9 credits for graduates) in the computer system. If you do not have a social security number, you will have to apply for one (this can take up to 6 weeks). You will also have to fill out an I-9 form for your employer (WPU hiring department).
If your assistantship is listed on your I-20 the hiring department will process the I-9 paperwork for you, however you are still required to have a Social Security Number prior to starting employment. If the graduate assistantship was not included on your I-20 form, you need to bring your proof of graduate assistantship (award letter) to OISS, so that the adjustment can be made on your I-20 form. You will also be required to have a Social Security Number and fill out an I-9 form for your employer (WPU hiring department).
You may work part-time, up to twenty (20) hours per week, during the school year (while classes are in session) and during annual vacations (winter break, spring break, and summer break) you may work full-time, up to forty (40) hours per week. On-campus employment ends with the completion of your studies (you may not work during the 60-day grace period). Please note that none of these regulations are flexible.
It is the type of employment authorized for F-1 Students who have had severe and unforeseen economic hardship. However, work cannot begin until a student has applied and received an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
You will be required to submit supporting information (proof) that your economic hardship is beyond your control and/or unexpected. Some examples include substantial fluctuations in the value of currency or exchange rate, loss of graduate assistantship at no fault of your own, or inordinate increases in tuition or living costs. You will need to write a letter explaining your situation. Supporting information can come from websites, news articles, and the Office of Graduate Studies (in case of nonrenewal of a graduate assistantship).
No.
No, the OISS recommends the work authorization by issuing a new SEVIS I-20 with an endorsement for Severe Economic Employment. You are then responsible for sending the entire application via certified mail/return receipt to the USCIS Vermont Service Center. USCIS reviews the application and authorizes or denies the request. Within 2-3 months you will be notified and if approved you will be sent an EAD card specifying permission to work due to Economic Hardship. EADs are approved for up to one year at a time.
You may work part-time, up to twenty (20) hours per week, during the school year (while classes are in session). During annual vacations (winter break, spring break, and summer break) you may work full time, up to forty (40) hours per week.
It is work in your field of study, which is considered to be an integral part of the curriculum. This work experience must fit into one of the two following categories:
However, please note that work cannot begin until a student has received an endorsed I-20 form.
* Some departments require working experience outside WPU where students receive credit with no compensation/money (Education majors do both a practicum and student teaching experience for credit with no pay). This is the same as taking a course and you do not need to be approved for CPT, however, we advise you to check with the Office of International Students & Scholars to ensure that this does not constitute a violation of status.
If your department does not offer internships or practicum as part of your degree program, you will NOT be able to pursue this type of employment. Because CPT is directly linked to the curriculum of your degree-granting department, not every F-1 student at WPU will be eligible for this opportunity. Please refer to Information on Pre Completion of studies OPT for another option.
YES, you need a job offer, and job details should be described in a letter from your academic department or prospective employer. Please see the CPT Packet for a detailed explanation.
CPT may be authorized on part-time (20 hours or less per week) or full-time (more than 20 hours per week) for a semester. If you need two semesters, you need to get permission each semester. While on CPT you must still be registered for a full course load (12 credits minimum). Please note that if you work 12 months or more of full-time CPT, you will forfeit all post-completion practical training (OPT).
Yes, the OISS reviews all the paperwork to determine CPT permission. If approved a new SEVIS I-20 with a CPT endorsement will be issued and OISS will notify USCIS of your CPT.
You may not begin legal CPT until it has been authorized by OISS & USCIS has been notified.
Optional Practical Training (Pre-Completion)
It is employment in your field of study, which may be a maximum of 12 months full-time. F-1 students may engage in this employment prior to completing his/her studies. However, work cannot be started until a student has applied and received an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
You must have been in valid F-1 status for at least nine months (one academic year) at the time of application.
No, there are three types: During your annual vacation, after completing all course work (but still working on the thesis/project/dissertation), and during the academic year while pursuing a full-time course load.
