If you are hiring an international student without a Social Security Number please click here: CU Employer SSN Letter
To help defray expenses, you may want to work while you are a student at Cameron University. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has strict regulations regarding foreign student employment in the U. S. Please check the links below for more information.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) enforces regulations concerning the employment of F-1 visa students. In order to help CU's F-1 students maintain their visa status, the CU International Office provides the following information to help you determine whether the job you are considering is one that is allowed by U.S. laws and regulations. Information in this document is subject to change. Please check with the International Office before embarking on ANY type of employment. Definitions:
On-Campus Jobs:
Off-Campus Jobs:
Please contact the International Office directly at (580) 581-2838 or (580) 581-8091 for updated instructions on applying for OPT. |
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Instructions for CU International Students who wish to obtain CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINING (CPT) |
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is defined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as employment that is an "integral part" of a student's course of study. This work experience may be required by the student's degree program, or may be elective if it is an important part of the degree program. Qualifying CPT courses must, at minimum: earn academic credit, be listed in the CU catalog, and have a faculty member assigned to teach the course.
Part-time (no more than 20 hours per week) spring and fall trainees must be concurrently enrolled full time (at least 12 semester hours per semester) in order to maintain F-1 student visa status. Full-time (21 to 40 hours per week) summer trainees (interns, etc.) must be concurrently enrolled in at least one semester hour of "independent study" or "internship" or similar course designation.
Students are not limited by DHS to the amount of CPT. However, students who have engaged in 12 or more months of full-time CPT are ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT).
HOW TO APPLY
Bring the following items to the DSO (Designated Student Official) in the International Office. Please make an appointment with the DSO through the International Office Secretary at 581-2838.
- Your valid passport. (Passport must be valid for at least 6 months into the future.)
- Your I-94
- Your I-20
- Your CU transcript. (You must have maintained full-time F-1 status the previous two semesters to be eligible. The only exception is for graduate students seeking training required by their degree program - these students might seek CPT opportunities during their first semester.)
- A computer printout of your enrollment in the "internship" class.
- A letter of offer from business with employer's name, location, dates of employment, and a job description.
- A letter from your academic advisor, on CU letterhead, with the advisor's signature. A suggested letter format follows:
| TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: __________ is a student in the department of ___________ at Cameron University. Practical experience in this field is an important part of this student's education, as it will enhance knowledge the student acquires in the classroom. For this reason, I recommend that s/he obtain curricular practical training from (date) to (date). I understand that the student must be concurrently enrolled in the course that relates to the practical experience. The course s/he will be concurrently enrolled in is ______. The course description and objectives are (defined in the CU catalog and/or defined as follows). I understand that the student must be in lawful F-1 status and must be in good academic standing. It is the student's responsibility to understand the rules and regulations associated with this benefit, and to comply with these rules. |
AUTHORIZATION FOR CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINING
If a student proves eligible for this benefit, the International DSO will authorize CPT on the student's I-20 and will then send the required forms to DHS.
This represents an explanation of steps to gain approval for Curricular Practical Training. Changes, exceptions, and/or additions to required documents do occur. After reading this information, direct your questions by note, e-mail, or appointment to the DSO. Remember, as with all DHS laws and regulations relating to F-1 student visa holders, the student is responsible for compliance. If you aren't sure -- ASK. We're here to help.
| Instructions for CU International Students who wish to obtain OFF-CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT BASED ON UNFORESEEN ECONOMIC HARDSHIP |
Eligibility:
Use this checklist to determine your eligibility.
- No on-campus employment opportunities are sufficient or available. Students wanting to apply for off-campus employment based on severe economic hardship will need to make a good faith effort to locate employment on campus.
- Severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control may be characterized by:
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- Loss of financial aid and/or on-campus employment.
- Fluctuations in value of currency or exchange rate.
- Inordinate increases in tuition and/or living costs.
- Unexpected changes in condition of student�s source of support.
- Medical bills.
- Other substantial unexpected expenses.
- F-1 status for one academic year (two full semesters).
- Completion of a full course of study each semester (12 hrs undergrad, 9 hrs grad).
- Acceptance of employment will not interfere with course of study.
- Student and DSO have an understanding that employment is unavailable or not sufficient through campus employment.
Procedures:
If you are eligible, bring the following items to the DSO:- Passport valid for a minimum of 6 more months.
- Official CU transcript.
- Enrollment schedule (class schedule) for current semester.
- Current original Form I-20.
- I-94 Arrival/Departure Record (the white card.)
- Form I-765 (available from DHS website).
- 2 photos (see instructions sheet available from DSO). DO NOT trim photos.
- Supporting materials such as letters documenting the unforeseen nature of the economic hardship; include a list of assets, income, and expenses.
- Letter from you explaining your personal financial needs.
- $340.00 fee (check, bank draft, or money order) made payable to DHS. (Note: The check may be from anyone's checking account, as long as it is a U.S. checking account.)
The Waiting Begins:
The DSO will prepare the documents for mailing and then give the packet to you to be mailed. It is strongly suggested by the DHS that you mail the documents by U.S. Priority Mail with a Return Receipt Requested.
DHS will notify you of the decision. If employment is authorized, DHS will issue you an EAD card (Employment Authorization Document) for 20 hours per week during the semesters and 40 hours during summer and official holidays. You cannot begin employment until you obtain the EAD card. You will receive a receipt notice within 30-45 days after mailing. Keep this receipt for inquiry about your application. Approval of the EAD card may take up to 120 days. When you receive your card, bring it to the DSO so that a copy can be made for your file. Do not throw away the paper that comes with the card. The EAD card is the picture ID that should be used to complete the I-9 form required by a US employer. Employment authorization will be granted in one-year intervals up to the expected date of completion or graduation. (When your card is ready to expire, remember that the reapplication procedure is the same as the initial application, including the fee.)
If DHS denies the application, the decision may not be appealed. Therefore, it is very important that you submit substantial evidence of unforeseen financial hardship.
Severe economic hardship is automatically terminated when you transfer from one school to another. This is due to the requirement that all students must provide adequate resources to meet the expenses of studying at the school before an I-20 can be issued.
This represents an explanation of steps to gain approval for Off-Campus Employment Based on Unforeseen Economic Hardship. Changes, exceptions, and/or additions to required documents and procedures do occur. After reading this information, direct your questions by note, e-mail, or appointment to the DSO. Remember, as with all DHS laws and regulations relating to F-1 student visa holders, the student is responsible for compliance. If you aren't sure -- ASK. We're here to help.
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