International Advising
All students who gain employment, whether on-campus or off, need to apply for a Social Security Number.
Working on-campus
Students are generally allowed to work on-campus not exceeding 20 hours per week while school is in session and 40 hours per week when school is not in session. Please consult with your International adviser regarding on-campus employment if you have any questions.
Working off-campus
Approval from the International Advising office is required prior to working off-campus.
All OPT applications require adjudication from USCIS which can take up to 90 days. You are not able to work until you receive approval and your Employment Authorization card (EAD).
F-1 visa students who have been enrolled for one full academic year in the United States may elect employment through Optional Practical Training (OPT) for paid or unpaid practical work experience in the field of their major or through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for work that is an integral part of their course or degree program.
J-1 visa students may engage in Academic Training for employment directly related to their area of study.
24 Month STEM Extension for Graduated Students on Post-Completion OPT
An F-1 student currently engaged in a period of post-completion OPT who has been awarded a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) approved STEM field and works for an E-Verify employer is eligible to apply for the STEM extension.
Eligibility of 24 Month Extension
An F-1 student is allowed two 24-month extensions total. Each extension must be used after the completion of a qualifying higher level degree program and cannot be combined. The extension can be based on a previous STEM degree as long as the following apply:
- the student is currently in a valid period of 12-month post-completion OPT, even if the OPT is based on a non-STEM degree
- the previous STEM degree was obtained within 10 years of the STEM extension application date from an institution that is U.S. Department of Education accredited and Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certified at the time of application
- the previous STEM degree is on the current STEM Designated Degree Program List at the time of application
- the work being done for the STEM extension relates to the previous STEM degree
Volunteering and self-employment are not allowed and students must work at least 20 hours per week in a paid position for an E-Verify employer.
Students should submit their application 90 days before the end of their current OPT period. Students may NOT apply during the 60-day grace period following the OPT end date. An 180 day automatic work authorization extension will be granted while the application is pending.
24 Month STEM Extension
Please read the following PDF over carefully.