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Working on- and off-campus

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The ISSS Office and the Career Development Center hold a special seminar the beginning of each semester called "Internationals Working in the U.S.A" which addresses pertinent immigration regulations and Career Development Services. The announcement for the seminar will appear in the News & Headlines section of this website.

Working on-campus

F-1 and J-1 students are eligible to work on-campus 20 hours per week during the school year and 40 hours per week during the summer and vacation periods.

No written authorization is required from USCIS.

"On-campus" means you are physically present on Rensselaer's campus or an officially affiliated site while working. If you are unsure, check with the ISSS Office.

• J-1 students need permission from their sponsor.
• Can work on campus the first semester of attendance.
• Must be enrolled in a full-time course of study.
• Includes scholarships, fellowships, assistantships.

Working off-campus

OFF-CAMPUS work is permissible under several circumstances. Detailed handouts are available in the ISSS office.

Economic hardship

F-1 students:

• Must have been enrolled for once academic year before you can apply.
• Must be due to serious, urgent and unforseen economic circumstances.
• Must have recomendation from ISSS Office.
• Required Immigrations authorization.
• Fee of $340 is required.
• Meet with Jane Havis for the application.
• Student would get permission to work part-time only, off-campus.
• It could take 2-3 months to process.

J-1 students:

• Must have been enrolled for one academic year of full-time study before you can apply.
• Must be due to serious, urgent and unforseen economic circumstances.
• Must have authorization from ISSS Office or whoever issued your DS-2019.
• Meet with Jane Havis for the application.

Optional Practical Training (F-1)

• Must be lawfully enrolled for one academic yearof full-time study before participating.
• You are eligible for up to 12 months total before, during or after graduation for each degree, as logn as the degree is higher than the previous one. This means you can have 12 months of OPT after you receive your Bachelor's Degree, 12 months after your Master's, and another 12 months after your Ph.D.
• Requires ISSS Office recomendation.
• Requires the authorization of USICS.
• Applications are available in ISSS Office.
• Fee of $340 required.
• Can take between 2-3 months for USCIS to process.
• Can apply 90 days prior commencement of employment or graduation.
• You do not need a job to apply.
• Can apply when you have completed all the course requirements for the degree listed on I-20, but are working on your research or thesis.
• Your bursar's account must be paid.
• Job must be for the degree and major listed on your I-20.
• You will need a recomendation form signed by the Graduate program director and the Dean of the Graduate School advisor.
• Student cannot travel outside the United States while waiting for USCIS approval. If you do travel out of the United States, USCIS will cancel your application.
• Do not work without USCIS authorization (EAD card)
• You may travel once you receive your EAD card.
• Please note that, if you change your mind once you apply, USCIS does not have to cancel the application. Therefore, be certain of the dates for which you are applying.

Academic training (J-1)

• Eligible for up to 18 months (36 months for post-doctoral training)
• Must be done with a specific employer and be directly related to the major field of study listed on the form DS-2019.
• Can not be longer than your program.
• Exchange students are eligible.
• Must be directly related to program of study.
• Applications are available in ISSS Office.
• Sponsor gives approval in a written letter.
• If you participate in the co-op program, the time enrolled wil be deducted from your 18 months.
• You need a job to apply.
• You must be authorized to work within 30 days after graduation.
• Can be part-time but will be counted as fill-time.
• Your bursar's account must be paid.

Curricular Practical Training (Co-op)

• Must be lawfully enrolled for one academic year of full time study before you can participate.
• Participation is part of the Cooperative Education Program (Co-Op)
• Applications are available in the Co-Op Office.
• ISSS Office authorizes the employment after the Graduate Program Director and the Dean of the Graduate School (if you are a graduate student)and the Co-Op office sign the "work plan".
• Undergraduate student will get ISSS Office authorization for co-op after their advisor and the co-op office signs the "work plan".
• Participation in more than 12 months of training cancels eligibility for Optional Practice Training.
• Not available for exchange students and some degree programs.
• Undergaduate students must do 2 consecutive semesters.
• Graduate students can do only one semester (Good for summer employment)
• Do not accept a job offer before getting permission from the Co-Op office.
• Must have one semester of full-time study remaining after Co-Op.
• Do not work without ISSS Office authorization (volunteering is not allowed)
• Your bursar's accout must be paid.

International Services for Students and Scholars, Phone: (518) 276-6266, Fax: (518) 276-4839