Off-campus employment

• Off-campus employment is rarely authorized by INS, and there are a few jobs available on campus. Therefore, a financial sponsor is needed to finance your education. Please note that F-2 students are not eligible for employment.

***EMPLOYMENT UNDER F-1 STATUS***

Since you are in the U.S. with the principal purpose of pursuing a full course of study or program, your employment options are very limited. Before engaging in any type of employment (paid or non-paid, on campus or off campus) you must first check with the Coordinator of International Admissions.

The following overview of employment for F-1 students is provided for your basic information. However, if you would like to inquire further about any off-campus employment, you must visit the International Admissions Office.

ELIGIBILITY FOR EMPLOYMENT:
A fundamental eligibility requirement for all types of employment is that you must continuously maintain lawful F-1 status. Maintaining a lawful F-1 includes the following:

1. You must have a valid passport at all times.
2. You must have a valid UHD Sevis I-20 properly processed.
3. You must be registered full-time each long academic (Fall/Spring) semester.
   INS defines full-time enrollment as: at least 12 credits for undergraduate students and at least 9 credits for graduate students. (Students are not required to be registered during the summer sessions UNLESS it is their first term of registration at UHD).
4. You must be in good academic standing, which means maintaining a minimum G.P.A of 2.0 for undergraduate students and at least a 3.0 for graduate students.
5. For any practical training employment, you must have been on valid F-1 for at least one full academic year prior to application.

CATEGORIES Of F-1 STUDENT EMPLOYMENT:

1. ON-CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT
This employment includes on-campus work performed by students for UHD such as employment in academic department offices, the computer lab, the Office of Admissions, the Registrar's Office, and the Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid. Work required by a university scholarship or assistantship, if any, is also considered on- campus employment.

Work performed on UHD premises for an outside contractor or firm is considered on-
campus employment only if the employer provides direct services to the students.
Examples of this type of employment are work for the cafeteria or the bookstore.

On-campus employment is limited to a total of 20 hours per week during the Fall and Spring semesters, and up to full-time hours (40 hours per week) during the Summer.

You must obtain authorization from the Coordinator of International Admissions before engaging in any on-campus employment. If you fall out of status at any time during your
employment (i.e., you drop a class and fall below the full-time requirements or your
passport expires), you must stop working immediately.

2. OFF –CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT THROUGH PRACTICAL TRAINING

Practical Training is employment which is related to your major or field of study. Students must have been on valid F-1 status for at least 9 consecutive months in order to be eligible for practical training. There are two types of practical training:

A. Curricular Practical Training is employment which is performed for academic credit or which is a required part of the degree program or curriculum. This is available to F-1 visa students who are and have been lawfully enrolled as a full-time student for at least nine consecutive months (the only exception to this rule is graduate students who are required to begin internships immediately). There are two kinds of curricular practical training: internships and cooperative education programs.

Authorization for curricular practical training is given by the Coordinator of International Admissions. Authorization requires: proof of registration, an academic advisor’s letter, and a job offer letter from the prospective employer (on company letterhead) which indicates the job title and description, the exact number of hours to be worked each week, and the beginning and ending dates of the employment. Training will not be authorized without a job offer. Authorization is given for a specific employer and the duration of employment is valid only for the period of the semester. No fee is charged.

Please note that curricular training is generally available to graduate students only if it is a required element in the program curriculum.

B. Optional Practical Training (OPT) is employment which is not part of the degree program, but is related to your major or field of study. Optional practical training is limited to an aggregate total of 12 months.

Authorization for optional practical training is granted through the INS Service Center in Mesquite, Texas. The Coordinator of International Admissions can recommend the option practical training but cannot authorize it. The Coordinator of International Admissions will recommend optional practical training provided you have met all eligibility requirements. An application fee is charged by the INS.

The F-1 post-completion OPT regulations now require that that students apply for OPT "prior to completion of all course requirements for the degree or prior to the completion of the course of study."

Reminder: You must obtain proper authorization before engaging in any off-campus employment (whether it is paid or non-paid). If you fall out-of status at any time during your employment (i.e., you drop a class and fall below the full-time requirement or your passport expires) you must stop working immediately.

C. OFF-CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT DUE TO ECONOMIC NECESSITY
As an F-1 student, you have shown proof of sufficient funds to cover your expenses for the duration of your studies in the U.S. If you suffer unforeseen economic hardship along the way which is beyond your control (i.e. death of a sponsor), you may be eligible to request Off-Campus Employment Due to Economic Necessity.

APPLICATION FOR THIS TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT ENTAILS RIGOROUS PAPERWORK AND DOCUMENTATION TO PROVE YOUR NEED.
Please note that an increase in tuition fees does not constitute an unforeseen economic
hardship.

Reminder: Engaging in illegal employment is a deportable cause under U.S. immigration law.