Employment

Employment opportunities for international students in the United States are restricted by law. Employment categories and their restrictions are listed below.

For on or off campus positions it is the students responsibility to seek employment and to comply with government regulations.

F-1 students are free to work on-campus without authorization from USCIS as long as such employment does not exceed 20 hours per week, does not displace a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and does not interfere with the student's ability to maintain good academic standing. However, the Financial Aid Office will not allow a student to work more than they need and freshmen are not usually allowed to work more than 5 hours per week. During your vacation periods you may work on campus full time.

On Campus Student Employment Opportunities

A student may apply to work off-campus in the USA three ways: Severe Economic Hardship, Curricular Practical Training (CPT), and Optional Practical Training (OPT). However the USCIS strictly limits these opportunities.

In order to be eligible to work off-campus you must:

• Be maintaining lawful F-1 status,
• Have been in F-1 status for one full academic year and
• Be in good academic standing
• Apply for USCIS authorization (see the International Programs Office for assistance). If at any time you are engaged in any type of F-1 employment and fail to maintain lawful student status, your authorization to continue work ends automatically.

You must not work more than a total of 20 hours per week (including any other work, on campus or off campus, you may have been authorized to perform) while school is in session in order to maintain your eligibility for work. You may be employed full-time, during holidays and vacation periods, including breaks between terms and summer vacations, provided you are eligible and intend to enroll for the next school term.