Students must have been in F-1 status for one full academic year. You must prove to the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS) that employment in necessary due to severe economic hardship caused by circumstances beyond your control after obtaining F-1 status. Proof may include loss of financial support, fluctuations or devaluation of foreign currency, raise in tuition and living cost, etc. It is recommended that you first make a "good faith" effort to locate on-campus employment or demonstrate that current on-campus employment is insufficient to meet your need.

This type of employment is designed for off-campus employment but can be done on-campus; it is granted by USCIS in increments of one year at a time. Employment is however limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session; can be full-time during official school breaks. You do not need a prior offer of employment to apply for severe economic hardship nor does the job have to be related to your course of study.

Interested students should contact an International student advisor in the Office of the Registrar for information and the necessary paperwork to apply for economic hardship work authorization.

Special Student Relief Employment

The special student relief program applies to students whose financial support comes from one of the five countries: Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines.

In addition, these students must have been in valid F-1 status since June 10, 1998. He or she would need to gather documentation showing means of support comes substantially from one of the five designated countries, and present a written letter describing specifically how his or her personal financial situation has been affected by the economic crisis in the country of financial support.

Interested students or those that qualify must contact an International student advisor for additional paperwork.