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Work

Since two important things for international students are the affordability of their education and their ability to adapt to the new culture, getting a job is extremely beneficial and recommended. 

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Nevertheless, International students have many limitations at the moment of finding a job because their visa does not allow them to work wherever or whenever. They can only work on-campus or off-campus under certain conditions.

On-campus

  • International students are allowed to work for the university.

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  • The job has to be paid by the university to be considered on-campus.

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  • During the fall and spring semester, international students can work up to 20 hours per week.

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  • Once the student gets hired, they will be able to get a social security number.

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  • Work-study is not permitted for international students because it is paid by the government. 

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  • International students can only get a Student-help job.

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  • Some options for on-campus jobs are working at the library, help desks, welcome desks, international departments, etc.

On-campus

off-campus

  • F-1 students are only allowed to work off-campus after being enrolled full time for a whole academic year.​

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  • There are three types of off-campus jobs:

    • Curricular Practical Training​ (CPT)

      • This allows the student to work as an intern as part of the curriculum of their degree.​

      • The student will need an internship job offer beforehand.

      • This job can be approved by the international department of the college.

    • Optional Practical Training (OPT)

      • This allows the student to accept employment related to their degree/area of study.

      • The student does not need to have a job offer beforehand.

      • The permit has to be approved by the USCIS and by the international department of the college.

      • The application fee is $410.

      • Each student gets 12 months of OPT per degree level. (Associates, bachelors, masters, Ph.D.). The months can be used prior to and/or post-graduation.

    • Severe Economic Hardship (SEH)

      • Opportunity to work after an unexpected financial loss​.

      • The last option to find a job.

      • Not very likely to get approved.

      • Has to be approved by the USCIS and recommended by the international department of the college.

      • The application fee is $410 but the student can apply for a waiver.

Off-campus
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