Student Employment

International students may apply to on-campus job positions such as Student Worker (University Aid), Graduate Assistant, and Resident Assistant. You may work only up to 20 hours per week when school is in session and up to 26 hours per week when school is not in session. When you are offered a position on campus, you must apply and obtain a Social Security Number and complete a New Hire packet in the Department of Human Resources.

You will need a letter from the Office of International House and Programs before you may apply for Social Security Number. In order to request the approval letter from our office, please follow the steps below:

Step 1- Go to your MyJaxState account, click on International Student Portal 

Step 2- Click on International Student Portal and go to the Control Center 

Step 3- Click on 'Letter for the Social Security Office' icon.  

Step 4- Complete the request (leaving any section on the form blank may result in delay and/or denial of the request).

Step 5- Submit the request.

Once the request is completed, an automated email with the link will be sent to the supervisor to complete their section on the request. 

Step 6- Automated email will be sent to your email once we receive the completed recommendation form from your supervisor and once we have generated the letter. 

Step 7- Print the letter from your portal and follow the steps sent to your email. 

For Social Security Number, you must go to the Social Security office with the following documents:

• Job Offer Letter from department
• Approval Letter from International House and Programs
• I-20/DS2019
• Valid passport with valid visa stamp
• I-94 record

Social Security Office Location:  801 Quintard Avenue, Anniston, AL 36201

International students in F-1 or J-1 visas are not permitted to work off-campus unless the students apply and get approved for work authorization from USCIS and/or the Office of International House & Programs.

An F-1 student may be authorized for off-campus employment under the following circumstances:

Severe Economic Hardship: The severe economic hardship employment authorization benefit is intended to address situations where a financial need beyond the student's control arises, which was unforeseen at the time the student applied to the school he or she is currently attending and after all other potential employment opportunities have proven to be insufficient.

• USCIS (United State Customs and Immigration Services) approval is needed.

• Must have been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year.

• Must be in good academic standing.

• Provide evidence of economic hardship based on unforeseen circumstances beyond the student’s control.

• Show that on-campus employment is not available or sufficient.

• May not work more than 20 hours a week when school is in session.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT): CPT is designed to provide work experience directly related to and integral to a student’s field of study. It is not intended for general, ongoing work authorization. 

Optional Practical Training (OPT): OPT is an opportunity granted to F-1 students to work in their field of study. Students can apply for 12 months of OPT for each level of study (bachelors, master, Ph.D.). (STEM extension will apply to STEM-qualified majors only)

A J-1 student may be authorized for off-campus employment under the following circumstances:

Academic Training (AT): Academic Training is a type of off-campus work authorization that allows a J-1 student to gain practical experience in their field of study. Any employment must be directly related to the J-1 student’s major field of study. Academic Training can be used during an academic program or after completion of a J-1 program. The employment experience may be paid or unpaid.

Overview

A common misconception is that the only difference between employee and volunteer is, that employees get paid and volunteers do not. According to U.S. labor laws, there is more to distinguish between employees and volunteers than whether an individual receives a regular paycheck. Unpaid work may still be considered employment for F-1 or J-1 status holders.

Employee: The definition of an employee used in the context of immigration regulations is as follows: “An individual who provides services or labor for an employer for wages or other remuneration”. Please note that the term “remuneration” is very broad and includes a variety of non-monetary benefits, such as free housing, food, gifts, etc.

Volunteer: According to the Department of Labor, a volunteer is: an “individual who performs hours of service… for civic, charitable, or humanitarian reasons, without promise, expectation or receipt of compensation for services rendered.”

To be considered a volunteer, the work performed by the individual must meet all the following criteria:

• No expectation of compensation.
• The volunteer cannot displace a genuine employee.
• The services provided by the volunteer should not be the same services for which he or she was previously paid and/or expects to be hired and paid for in the future.
• Services are performed for a non-profit organization for public service, religious or humanitarian objectives.
• Work at a for-profit entity is considered employment and must be for pay. The only exception is made for training programs where the trainee functions, to some degree, as an employee, but is under close supervision and provides no significant measurable work for the employer. The trainee must not take the place of a paid employee. For example, students who are considered student interns may engage in unpaid internships at for-profit organizations.

Volunteering or Unpaid Internship

Please note that there is a difference between volunteering and engaging in an unpaid internship.

As explained above, volunteering refers to donating time to an organization whose primary purpose is charitable or humanitarian in nature, without remuneration or any other type of compensation. F-1 and J-1 students are free to engage in volunteer work as long as it meets the above criteria. For example, it would be okay to volunteer at a local homeless shelter, charitable food pantry, or American Red Cross.

Unpaid internships, on the other hand, do not qualify as “volunteer” activities. Internships, both paid and unpaid, are primarily offered by the private sector and related to the intern’s major field of study.

U.S. Department of Labor Rules for Volunteering

U.S. Department of Labor is concerned both with the protection of jobs for United States citizens and with the prevention of exploitation of workers. They have created laws to ensure that employment that should be paid is not done for free. While both you and the employer may be happy with an unpaid arrangement (for example, you may be eager to work even on an unpaid basis in a company to gain job experience), this may be considered an unfair arrangement in cases where the work is normally performed by a paid person and both the company and the employee are benefitting from the employment.

To determine whether an individual is a true volunteer engaged in “ordinary volunteerism” the Department of Labor considers many factors. No single factor is determinative. The factors include:

• Is the entity that will benefit/receive services from the volunteer a nonprofit organization?
• Is the activity less than a full-time occupation?
• Are the services offered freely and without pressure or coercion?
• Are the services of the kind typically associated with volunteer work?
• Have regular employees been displaced to accommodate the volunteer?
• Does the worker receive (or expect) any benefit from the entity to which it is providing services?

As you can see the regulations are strict. If you have further questions, please review the information above with your advisor.

International Students are eligible to apply for the Social Security Number (SSN) only if they have an on-campus job offer or have obtained CPT and OPT approval.

Document needed by the Office of International House and Programs to issue the Letter for Social Security Office:

• Job Offer Letter from department
• F-1/J-1 acknowledgment letter. Once the student completes the request on the portal, an automated email with the link will be sent to the supervisor to complete the Recommendation Form.

Document needed for Social Security Number, you must go to the Social Security office with the following documents:

• Job Offer Letter from department
• Approval Letter from International House and Programs
• I-20/DS2019
• Valid passport with valid visa stamp
• I-94 record

Social Security Office Location:  801 Quintard Avenue, Anniston, AL 36201

F-1 students may apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) when seeking off-campus work/internships related to their current degree.

U.S. immigration regulation requires international students to obtain authorization before engaging in any training activities such as but not limited to “alternate work/study, internship, cooperation education, or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school”. This applies even if the training is required towards a degree.

CPT is designed to provide work experience directly related to and integral to a student’s degree of study. It is not intended for general, ongoing work authorization. Traditional volunteer work (e.g. at a soup kitchen, or homeless shelter) does not require CPT authorization. For more information, refer to the section on Employment and Volunteering.

However, any work or internship, even unpaid, requires CPT authorization before a student participates in the work experience.

Note that U.S. immigration defines employment as any opportunities when a person is gaining knowledge paid or not paid.

• CPT-Curricular Practical Training:

  • CPT must be an integral part of an established curriculum and directly related to the student’s major area of study.
  • CPT cannot be authorized to work in a field related to the student’s minor emphasis or previous major.
  • CPT must be conducted during the degree program.
  • CPT must be approved by the student’s academic department/advisor.
  • CPT must also be approved by the Co-Op advisor in addition to the academic department/advisor when the Co-Op option is pursued.

• Student:

  • The student must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for at least one full academic year before participating in CPT.
  • The student must continue to maintain full-time status for the duration of the CPT.
  • The student must continue to make normal degree progress while participating in CPT. This could require coursework during the CPT period.
  • The student must have secured a job/internship offer.
  • The student must obtain the academic department/advisor’s approval.

Having studied “one full academic year” is an eligibility component of F-1 benefits such as CPT, OPT, and economic hardship.

U.S. immigration regulations define “academic year” for these purposes, as follows:

Duration:

An "academic year" of F-1 study must include a minimum duration of:

30 weeks of instructional time for a program offered in credit hours (usually equivalent to 2 semesters (Fall + Spring).

Intensity:

In addition to the duration requirements above, an F-1 student in an undergraduate program is expected to complete the following number of credit hours during the academic year:

24 semester credit hours

Note: Time spent on OPT does not qualify for the academic year as the student has not maintained full-time enrollment. The academic year counting will start over once the student returns to a degree program and enrolled full-time. 

There are three conditions under which, students can seek to apply for CPT

• Required for graduation: when the academic program mandates practical work experience for all students to graduate. Required internships do necessitate CPT and the student needs to register for course credit (as determined by the academic program) for the office of International House & Programs to authorize* the CPT experience.

• An integral part of an established curriculum: it means that the internship is not a required part of the program’s curriculum, but the internship is considered integral to the academic experience (e.g. highly recommended but not required for graduation). In this case, a student must register for at least one credit hour per semester of internship experience for the office of International Programs to authorize* the CPT experience.

• Co-Op program: the student may seek a Co-Op opportunity offered through the JSU Career Services. The Co-Op program must meet the eligibility criteria of CPT listed above. If approved by JSU Career Services, the student must be registered in the Co-Op for the International House & Programs Office to authorize* CPT experience.

*after review that all other eligibility criteria are met

Note: You may not use incomplete courses or deferred grades from a previous semester for CPT authorization.  For CPT which requires course credit, the credit must be earned in the semester in which CPT will be authorized.

Withdrawing from or dropping credits that are tied to CPT work authorization immediately cancels the CPT authorization.

CPT is authorized by semester (Fall, Spring, Summer). Therefore, students must submit a new CPT request, including all the necessary documents, for each semester, including summer session(s). 

Note: Renewal of CPT is considered a new request. When CPT authorization is coming to an end, the student will not be eligible to continue work/internship opportunities after expiration and until new authorization is granted.

• Participation in CPT may begin on or after the first day of the semester. CPT must end before the first day of the following semester. For example, CPT can be extended through the winter break but must be completed before the first day of the spring semester. Spring semester CPT must end before the first day of the summer session, and so on.

• Summer CPT: students will be limited by the session in which they register their experience (e.g. registration for full summer will allow for CPT authorization for full summer; registration for the first summer will only cover dates from the day after the spring semester through the last day of the first summer session; registration for second summer session will cover CPT authorization from the first day of second summer session through the day before the start of fall semester classes).

Part- Time vs. Full- Time CPT

• Part-time CPT: Employment for 20 hours or less per week is considered part-time. You must be simultaneously enrolled in classes full-time and be physically present on campus to maintain lawful F-1 status during fall and spring terms.

• Full-time CPT: Employment for more than 20 hours per week is full-time. Please be aware that 12 months or more of full-time CPT will eliminate your eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT). During fall and spring terms, you must be enrolled full-time or have an approved Reduced Course Load (RCL).

Note: A student may participate in CPT as much as their program will allow and their academic department, Co-Op advisor and immigration advisor will authorize it.

CPT application is processed online via the International Student Portal, login to MyJaxState and access the international student portal. No appointment with the Office of International House & Programs is required. All necessary information is available on the International Programs page as well.

Before completing the CPT request form, students must read the information and consult with the Office of the International House & Programs regarding any questions about the immigration regulations for Curricular Practical Training (CPT). Employment cannot begin until the CPT application is approved by the Office of the International House & Programs.

The Office of the International House and Programs will need a copy of the Job Offer Letter to issue Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

The students must type the Academic Advisor's email and information on the Approver's form. 

Steps

1. Secure and receive a job offer related to your major areas of study.
2. Initiate the online CPT request located in the control center within your international student portal. 
3. Upload a digital copy of the official offer letter.
4. Type your academic department/advisor's email and information on the approver's section of the CPT request form. Make sure to previously discuss and explain your internship intent to your advisor as they will be required to verify some information, such as but not limited to employer info, etc. Note that incomplete request will not be accepted.
5. If your internship is required for graduation or an integral part of an established curriculum, upload a copy of the syllabus of the credit-bearing course tied to the CPT opportunity.
6. If your CPT involves the Co-Op program, you will need to meet with the Co-Op advisor in the office of Career Services and follow their process. Upon approval from the Co-Op advisor, upload the approval letter or email.
7. Upload proof that you have registered your CPT experience for credit in the semester(s) it will occur. (e.g., registration form or printout of your course registration screen).

Documents need to be uploaded in the 'Attached Document' section of your CPT request

Once the CPT request is complete and has been submitted, the Office of International House & Programs will be reviewing it. Processing may take 5-10 business days. An electronic notification will be sent to your JSU email once the decision has been reached. If approved, the CPT work authorization will be added to the second page of the I-20 and updated I-20 will be uploaded in your portal. 

Engaging in work/internship activity without this authorization is illegal and a violation of status that will result in termination of your F-1 SEVIS record.

Note: students completing clinical or practicum must obtain and upload a detailed letter from their clinical director listing the various employers being involved in that particular term.

*Offer letter-detailed training description 

Your employer or company must officially offer you a training opportunity. Ask your employer to write a Detailed Training Description on your offer letter.

It must:

• Be written on the company's letterhead
• Be addressed to you
• Include job title
• Provide a detailed job description (at least a few sentences describing specific duties, tasks, goals, etc.)
• Specify the street address where employment will take place (street, city, state, and zip code). If you will work remotely, the letter should specify this and list the company’s physical address.
• Specify the number of hours per week you will work
• Specify start and end dates of CPT employment (keep in mind that CPT can only be authorized one term at a time).

A standard job offer letter may not contain the required information. Please ensure your Detailed Training Description contains all details. Sample Offer Letter

CPT and On-Campus Employment

• A combination of part-time off-campus CPT and on-campus employment may be allowed.
• A combination of full-time off-campus CPT and on-campus employment may be allowed as long as it is not detrimental to the student’s academic success, immigration status, and health and well-being.
• A combination of part-time on-campus CPT and on-campus employment may be allowed. However,
• A combination of full-time on-campus CPT and on-campus employment may not be allowed.

CPT and Graduate Students

• This exception only applies to students enrolled in graduate studies that require immediate participation in internships, practicums, or other experiential learning.
• This exception is not available for students enrolled in undergraduate studies, or to graduate students whose studies do not require immediate training.
• This exception is available only for curricular practical training, not optional practical training.

CPT and I-20 Extension

Students should verify that participation in CPT will not interfere with their ability to take courses required for degree completion that may not be taught in subsequent semesters before the program end date indicated on their I-20. CPT should not delay degree completion beyond the program end date listed on the Form I-20. Immigration regulations do not allow I-20 extensions due to delays caused by participation in CPT.

CPT and Unpaid Internships

While the issue of volunteering may seem simple- “I’m not getting paid, so that means I am volunteering”- it is a complex area where immigration regulations and labor laws intersect. If you are interested in volunteering, you must be aware of the relevant regulations so that you do not violate any laws and participate in unauthorized employment. If you are an international student in F-1 or J-1 status, please remember that any off-campus employment for F-1 or J-1 students must be authorized!

Without proper work authorization, off-campus employment would be considered a violation of your F-1 requirements. The consequences would most likely include loss of legal immigration status in the U.S., possible deportation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and great difficulty in any future attempts to acquire a visa to enter the U.S.

Repeated CPT

Repeated CPT opportunities for the same employer or in the same capacity will not be approved if the student repeats the same responsibilities and duties. The student will be responsible to submit an employer statement listing the duties and responsibilities not covered during the previous internship.

Co-Op may be approved for a maximum of 2 semesters during a student's undergraduate program. 

Co-Op may be approved for only 1 semester during a student's graduate program. 

Pre-completion OPT allows F-1 students to make an application for work authorization in their field of study before their graduation. The application package may be sent to the USCIS up to 90 days before the proposed start date. 

How to Apply: The request can be accessed by logging into MyJaxState and accessing the International Student Portal 

Form I-765 Instruction   
The student, as the applicant, is responsible for his/her own OPT application. Students must review the full instructions available on the USCIS I-765 page.

If you are applying for OPT online via the USCIS webpage, DO NOT SUBMIT the form and/or MAKE PAYMENT until you have scheduled an appointment to meet the international student advisor at the Office of the International House and Programs. 

Important Information:   

• Students must have been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year

• Students must be registered in full-time hours and maintain status.

• Students may work only up to 20 hours a week when school is in session.

• Students may work up to 40 hours a week during official school breaks, summer, and interims if the student is not enrolled in any classes. 

• Any changes in employment from part-time to full-time or vice versa needs to be approved. Reapplication is required.

• Students should secure employment in a job directly related to their field of study.

• Students may start working only after receiving the EAD card.

• Students may work on-campus and do Pre-completion OPT as long as the total number of hours does not exceed 20 hours.

• The number of days worked during Pre-completion OPT counts against the 365 days of full-time eligibility during Post-completion OPT. For example: If you work part-time for 3 months, 1 and ½ months will count against the 12 months of Post-completion OPT.

• Students are not eligible for the 24-month STEM Extension.

• Students are not eligible for the cap-gap extension.

Post-completion OPT allows F-1 students to make an application for work authorization in their field of study after their graduation. The application package may be received by the USCIS up to 90 days before your program completion date, but no later than 60 days after the program completion date on your I20. 

How to Apply: The request can be accessed by logging into MyJaxState and accessing the International Student Portal 

Form I-765 Instruction 
The student, as the applicant, is responsible for his/her own OPT application. Students must review the full instructions available on the USCIS I-765 page.

If you are applying for OPT online via the USCIS webpage, DO NOT SUBMIT the form and/or MAKE PAYMENT until you have scheduled an appointment to meet the international student advisor at the Office of the International House and Programs.

Standard OPT Calculator (Excel Document)

Important Information:

• Students on OPT cannot exceed 90 days of unemployment.

• Students switching jobs are allowed 10 days of unemployment which does not count towards accruing unemployment.

• Students must report to the Immigration Advisor at JSU the employer’s name, address, and other relevant information and ask for an updated I20.

• Students must inform Immigration Advisors of any changes in employment within 10 days of the change.

• Students can work full time.

• Students are eligible for the cap-gap extension.

The student, as the applicant, is responsible for his/her own OPT application. Students must review the full instructions available on the USCIS webpage.

How to Apply: The request can be accessed by logging into MyJaxState and accessing the International Student Portal 

Form I-765 Instruction 

Form I-983 Instruction

24-Month STEM OPT Calculator (Excel Document)

Important Information: 

• Student majors must be listed as STEM-qualified majors on the Immigration website (SEVIS list of majors)

• Students must have a job offer to apply for the STEM extension. The employer must be enrolled in the Federal E-verify program.

• The application must be received by USCIS before the end date on Post-completion OPT.

• Students must contact our office at least 90 days before the end date on OPT.

• Students can continue to work 180 days after OPT end date while their STEM application is pending.

• Students may not travel outside of the U.S. or apply for a driver's license while the STEM application is pending.

• Students must report any changes in employer's information or address information within 10 days of the event.

• STEM extension reporting to our office must be done every 6 months. Our office must receive information at least 10 days before the 6th-month reporting date.

• Students must submit to their DSO an annual self-evaluation about the progress of the training experience. Form I-983 must be completed by the student and employer.

• Change in employer requires submission of new Form I-983.

• Students cannot have an aggregate of 150 days of unemployment.

Report OPT Employment Information

• Start Date and End date of all your employment. The start date is the date you begin your job. 
• Your position titles and job descriptions.
• Any change on your physical and/or mailing address.
• Name and address of all your OPT employers. 
• Keep a record of all your employment. It may be useful in case any questions arise during OPT or in a future employment-based application, such as H-1B.

How to Report OPT Employment Information: 

• All changes must be reported within 10 days of the change occurring. 
• The request can be accessed by logging into MyJaxState and accessing the International Student Portal 

During the 24-month STEM OPT extension period, both the student and the employer are subject to ongoing reporting requirements. The table below depicts the number of reports that must be completed throughout the STEM period. There will be a total of 4 reportings that must be made: at the end of 6 months, at the end of 12 months, at the end of 18 months, and the end of 24 months. The type of reportings is described below under 6 months validation report section and the Annual self-evaluation section. 

Student reporting obligations

6 months validation report: (6 Month Report and 18 Month Report)

• • Students must report employment and living address to the Immigration Advisor every six months (even if the information is unchanged).
  • The STEM Extension Reporting Form should be completed and submitted to the DSO at least 10 days before the 6th month and 18th-month reporting date.

Any changes to the following, within 10 days of the change:

• • Student's legal name, and mailing and physical addresses.
  • When the student stops working for an employer.
  • When the student starts working for a new qualifying employer.

Annual Self-Evaluation: (12-Month Evaluation and Final Evaluation)

• • Students must submit to their Immigration Advisor an annual self-evaluation about the progress of the training experience.
  • The Form I-983 must be completed and signed by the student and the employer.
  • The form must be submitted to Immigration Advisor within 12 months of the listed STEM OPT start date.
  • At the end of the STEM OPT extension, a student must conduct a second, final assessment.

Material Change: 

• • Students must report any changes to the information provided on the original form I-983 such as:
  • Any change of the employer’s EIN.
  • Any reduction in student compensation that is not tied to a reduction in hours worked.
  • Any significant decrease in hours per week that a student engages in a STEM training opportunity.
  • Changes to the employer’s commitments or student’s learning objectives as documented on the Form I-983.

Employer Non-Compliance: 

• • Students must report the employer for non-compliance to 24 months STEM regulation and/or non-adherence to I-983 instructions.

Employer reporting obligations

Any changes to the following, within 5 days of the change:

• • When the student gets terminated.
  • When the student leaves employment.

Material Change: 

• • Any material changes to or deviations from the training plan must be reported on a new Form I-983.
  • The student and employer are jointly responsible for submitting the modified Form I-983 to the student's Immigration "at the earliest available opportunity."

How to Report OPT Employment Information: 

• All changes must be reported within 10 days of the change occurring. 
• The request can be accessed by logging into MyJaxState and accessing the International Student Portal.
  

Calculate and mark the due date of your reportings by using excel below:

• 24-Month STEM OPT Calculator (Excel Document)
• Remember reporting to our office must be done at least 10 days before the due date that you get using the calculator above. For example: if your 6 months due date reporting comes out to be 06/01/2020, please report your information to our office by no later than 05/20/2020. 

24-Month STEM OPT Calculator (Excel Document)

Employment Ended

• Last date of employment.
• Page 5 of Form I-983 STEM OPT Training Plan (Final Evaluation)- For STEM OPT only.

Leaving the United States

• Date of departure. 
• Page 5 of Form I-983 STEM OPT Training Plan (Final Evaluation)- For STEM OPT only.

Change in your immigration status

• Copy of new status (e.g. I-94 arrival record with new status; I-797 change of status approved; green card).
• Page 5 of Form I-983 STEM OPT Training Plan (Final Evaluation)- For STEM OPT only.

How to Report OPT Employment Information 

Remember that eligibility only refers to the ability to apply and does not mean qualification for approval.

• Must have been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year.
• Must have maintained F-1 status.
• Must be in good academic standing.
• Provide evidence of economic hardship based on unforeseen circumstances beyond the student’s control. Acceptable unforeseen circumstances may include:
  • Loss of financial aid/scholarship
  • Loss of on-campus employment without fault on the part of the student
  • Substantial fluctuations in the value of currency or exchange rate
  • Inordinate increases in tuition and /or living costs
  • Unexpected changes in the financial condition of the student’s source of support/sponsor
  • Medical bills
  • Other substantial and unexpected expenses

• Show that on-campus employment is not available or sufficient.

• Students are fully responsible for the Severe Economic Hardship application. The Office of International and Programs is not responsible for the application. Students are responsible to read complete information as it pertains to the application for Severe Economic Hardship on USCIS’s website
• Employment must not begin until the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is issued by USCIS.
• Students must have a Social Security Number (SSN) before starting a job.  To apply for SSN students must have received Employment Authorization Card (EAD) card. For the process of applying for SSN, go to the link.
• Students may only work for a total of 20 hours per week during the school year (up to 40 hours per week during official breaks and summer).
• Graduation, transfer to another institution, or violation of F-1 status, will result in automatic termination of employment authorization.
• Authorization is only granted for a year at a time. You may apply for an extension if your severe economic condition continues, and you still meet the eligibility requirements. An application for an extension will follow the same procedures as the original application, including the application fee. A photocopy of the previous EAD should be included with a letter clarifying how the economic situation has not changed.
• Issuance of a new Form I -20 recommending severe economic hardship employment authorization is not an approval and does not guarantee employment authorization will be approved by USCIS.

Money order or personal check payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security." A personal check is recommended for tracking purposes. Learn more on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website.

1. Students who face financial difficulty can file a request to waive the application fee by filing form I-912 as the cost of the application fee can be considered extensive.
2. Fill out Form I-912 
3. Form G-1145 (make sure that it is completed, signed, and dated).
4. Form I-765 (make sure that it is completed, signed, and dated).
5. Copy of personal statement along with all other supporting documents
6. Copy of your I-20 with severe economic hardship recommendation. Make sure to sign and date it.
7. Copies of all previous I20s.
8. Copy of your I-94 form.
9. Copy of the biographical page of your passport showing the expiration date.
10. Copy of your F-1 visa page or I-797 form if applicable.
11. Copy of any other previously issued EAD card for employment authorization for economic hardship.
12. Provide 2 passport-sized photos. The instructions to Form I-765 state that the photos must have been taken no more than 30 days before filing the form.
    • You must print your name in pencil on the back of the photos
    • Seal the photos in an envelope and put your full name on the front of the envelope
    • You can place the photos in the envelope on top of the application.
13. If filing for an extension for economic hardship, provide a copy of the I-20(s) used to support the previous applications as well as copies of the EAD card.

You will need a recommendation from the Office of International House and Programs before you could apply for Severe Economic Hardship (SEH) with USCIS. To request the recommendation for (SEH) on your I-20 from our office, please follow the steps below:

Step 1- Read information on Eligibility Criteria and make sure you meet all of them. 

Step 2- Print the checklist and start collecting and completing the requirements listed on the checklist. 

Step 3- The request can be accessed by logging into MyJaxState and accessing the International Student Portal.

Step 4- Go to Control Center- Off-campus Employment, Severe Economic Hardship

Step 5- Read the information. 

Step 6- Complete the form and submit the form(leaving any section on the form blank may result in delay and/or denial of the request). 

Step 7- Email will be sent to you once we review your file. Allow at least 2-3 weeks to review your request. 

*Submission of form with all required documents does not guarantee approval/recommendation from the Office of International House and Programs. 

*Similarly, recommendation on I-20 does not guarantee USCIS approval. 

Step 8- Follow the checklist to prepare the application package to be mailed to USCIS

Mailing Address:

https://www.uscis.gov/i-765-addresses

You need to select Foreign students and scroll down to category (C)(3)(iii) F-1 seeking off-campus employment due to severe economic hardship

Issuance of the Form DS-2019

At Jacksonville State University, students are issued Form DS-2019 if they are admitted to our reciprocal exchange program as per the agreement with their home institutions. Students accepted to the International House Programs if coming as non-degree seeking students and for only a year or two years can be issued the Form DS-2019. 

Academic Training

Academic Training is a type of off-campus work authorization that allows a J-1 student to gain practical experience in their field of study. Any employment must be directly related to the J-1 student’s major field of study. Academic Training can be used during an academic program or after completion of a J-1 program. The employment experience may be paid or unpaid. 

Academic Training cannot be approved for “permanent” employment (e.g., tenure track positions).

J-1 Students may participate in academic training with or without wages or other remuneration during their studies with the approval of the academic dean or adviser and the responsible officer at their sponsor organization.

Non-degree students on a reciprocal exchange program from partner universities:
Students are eligible to participate in academic training but are also subject to the requirement that time in academic training not exceed the time spent in the program of study and that the student be "primarily in the United States to study rather than engage in academic training". 

For example, a student engaging in a 4-month course of non-degree exchange study could be authorized for no more than 4 months of academic training. Our short-term reciprocal exchange students from partner universities fall under this category. 

Non-degree students accepted to the International House Program for 1- 2 years:
The SEVIS system limits the period of stay for students matriculated as non-degree to a maximum of 24 months, and so any academic training would have to be completed within this 24-month period of eligibility.

For example, a student engaging in an 18-month course of non-degree study would be eligible for no more than 6 months of academic training following completion of the non-degree course of study. Students admitted to International House program as non-degree exchange students fall under this category. Students in reciprocal exchange program from partner universities will not fall under this category as per the student exchange partnership agreement. 

Other Important Information:

If the student applies for a waiver of the Two-Year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement (INA 212e), and the waiver is recommended in writing by the U.S. Department of State (“No Objection Statement”) or the student receives Form I-612 from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, then the student is no longer eligible for Academic Training. Therefore, it is important that the student consult with the Office of the International House and Programs before applying for the waiver. 

Student can engage in two types of Academic Training program depending on their eligibility. 

Pre-Completion Academic Training:

Non-degree students on a reciprocal exchange program from partner universities is eligible to apply for Pre-Completion Academic Training.

Non-degree students accepted to the International House Program for 1- 2 years is eligible to apply for Pre-Completion Academic Training. 

• Students can engage in this training during the semester. 
• Students must maintain full-time enrollment and can engage only in part-time Academic Training (20 hours or less per week).
• Part-time Academic Training (20 hours or less per week) is counted the same as full-time Academic Training (more than 20 hours per week).
• Part -time Academic Training will be deducted from the 18 or 36 months of post completion academic training if the student is eligible to apply for post completion academic training.

Post-Completion Academic Training:

Non-degree students accepted to the International House Program for 1- 2 years is eligible to apply for Post-Completion Academic Training. 

• Students can engage in this training after the completion of their J-1 program.
• Academic Training authorization can be full-time or part-time.
• Students must submit applications for Post-Completion Academic Training up to 30 days before their completion of studies. 
• Students must have an approved Academic Training application before program ends. 
• Any number of days not worked during the authorized Academic training period will be considered time lost. 
• If students need to extend the Academic Training authorization, there cannot be any gap in employment. For example, if the student is switching employers, the start date of the new employment must immediately follow the end date of the current employment.
• Students in reciprocal exchange program from partner universities will not be eligible for post-completion academic training.

IMPORTANT: 

J SEVIS records automatically change to inactive SEVIS status the day after the program end date. As such, the program must be extended before the program end date, to accommodate post-completion academic training. This means the students will need to complete the Academic Training Request and the approval must be issued before the program end date listed on the Form DS-2019.

DOS regulations state that a student may be authorized to participate in academic training "commencing not later than thirty (30) days after completion of his or her studies."

An academic training itself should begin no later than 30 days after the completion of studies, the 18-month eligibility clock (or less, depending on the length of the course of study) would begin on the date the student completed his or her program, and that students who delay the actual start of employment until 30 days after completing their course of study may therefore lose academic training time.

The following general conditions apply to eligibility for academic training:

1. The student is primarily in the United States to study rather than engage in academic training.
2. The student is participating in academic training that is directly related to his or her major field of study at the post-secondary accredited academic institution listed on his or her Form DS-2019. Student must not be placed in a position driven by the labor needs of an employer/organization. The work must consist of ‘primarily substantive roles (e.g., shadowing managers, participating in project design, management, or event planning) that involve no more than infrequent non-substantive tasks"
3. The student is in good academic standing with the post-secondary accredited academic institution; and
4. The student receives written approval in advance from the responsible officer for the duration and type of academic training.
5. The student must also provide to the responsible officer "a letter of recommendation from the student's academic dean or advisor," the elements of which also imply additional eligibility conditions, including the conditions that the training relate to the student's major field of study and that the training be "an integral or critical part of the academic program of the student."
6. The student, the employer and the academic adviser or dean must complete the Academic Training Evaluation Form after the training is completed. 

Academic Training application is processed online via the International Student Portal, login to MyJaxState and access the international student portal. No appointment with the Office of International House & Programs is required. All necessary information is available on the International Programs page as well.

Employment cannot begin until the Academic Training application is approved and the approval is issued on the Form DS-2019 by the Office of the International House & Programs.

The Office of the International House and Programs will need a copy of the Job Offer Letter to issue Academic Training (AT).

The students must type the Academic Advisor's email and information on the Approver's form. 

Non-degree students on a reciprocal exchange program from partner universities:

Steps

• Obtain an employment offer related to your major areas of study.
• Initiate the online AT request located in the control center within your international student portal. 
• Upload a digital copy of the official employment offer letter. Documents need to be uploaded in the 'Attached Document' section of your AT request
• Type your academic department/advisor's email and information on the approver's section of the AT request form. Make sure to previously discuss and explain your training intent to your advisor as they will be required to verify some information, such as but not limited to employer information, goals, and objectives of the training etc. Note that incomplete request will not be accepted.
• Once the AT request is complete and has been submitted, the Office of International House & Programs will be reviewing it. Processing may take 5-10 business days. An electronic notification will be sent to your JSU email once the decision has been reached. If approved, the AT work authorization will be added on your Form DS-2019 and updated DS-2019 will be issued. 

Engaging in work/any training activity without this authorization is illegal and a violation of status that will result in termination of your J-1 SEVIS record.

*Employment Offer letter-detailed training description 

Your employer or company must officially offer you a training opportunity. Ask your employer to write a Detailed Training Description on your offer letter. It must:

• Be written on the company's letterhead
• Be addressed to you
• Include job title
• Provide a detailed job description (describing specific duties, tasks, etc.). Must clearly mention state the goals and objectives of your training or employment.
• The offer letter must list the time spent by a student on substantive vs. non-substantive tasks.
• Specify the street address where employment will take place (street, city, state, and zip code). If you will work remotely, the letter should specify this and list the company’s physical address.
• Specify the number of hours per week you will work
• Specify start and end dates of AT employment (keep in mind that AT cannot exceed the end date on your DS-2019)

A standard job offer letter may not contain the required information. Please ensure your Detailed Training Description contains all details listed above. 

Non-degree students accepted to the International House Program for 1- 2 years (excluded students on a reciprocal exchange program from partner universities)

Steps

• Collect the documents listed below:
  • An employment offer letter related to your major areas of study.
  • Renewed health insurance.
  • A copy of most recent I-94.
  • Copies of all previous Forms DS-2019.
  • A copy of your passport and visa page.
  • A proof of funding if your academic training is unpaid. 

• Initiate the online AT request located in the control center within your international student portal. 
• Type your academic department/advisor's email and information on the approver's section of the AT request form. Make sure to previously discuss and explain your training intent to your advisor as they will be required to verify some information, such as but not limited to employer information, goals, and objectives of the training etc. Note that incomplete request will not be accepted.
• Upload all required documents. Documents need to be uploaded in the 'Attached Document' section of your AT request
• Once the AT request is complete and has been submitted, the Office of International House & Programs will be reviewing it. Processing may take 5-10 business days. An electronic notification will be sent to your JSU email once the decision has been reached. If approved, the AT work authorization will be added on your Form DS-2019 and updated DS-2019 will be issued. 

If as J-1 students, you intend to leave the U.S. after completing the program of study, you must obtain academic training authorization from the Office of the International House and Programs before you leave. If you do not receive this authorization, you may lose your eligibility for academic training. In addition to other travel documents, you must also carry a proof of employment (employment offer letter). 

If you are traveling abroad and the J-1 visa in your passport has expired, you must obtain a new one before re-entering the U.S.

Academic Training Evaluation Form: The student, the employer and the academic adviser or dean must complete the Academic Training Evaluation Form immediately after the training is completed. The student needs to submit completed Academic Training Evaluation Form to the Office of International House and Programs no later than 5 business days after the AT is completed.  

30 Days Grace Period: J-1 students must leave the U.S. no more than 30 days after the end of their DS-2019 end date. 

Change of Visa: Students who want to change their visa status (to an F-1 student visa or other) should speak with the Office of the International House and Programs. This will require traveling out of the U.S. or a lengthy application process. 

212(e) Two Year Home Residence Requirements: Some exchange visitors with J-1 visas are subject to a two-year home-country physical presence requirement. It requires the visitors to return home for at least two years after their exchange visitor program. This requirement is part of U.S. law, in the Immigration and Nationality Act, Section 212(e). If the J-1 students cannot return home for two years, they must apply for a waiver. The Department of Homeland Security must approve the waiver before J-1 student can change status in the United States or receive a visa in certain categories.

The Two-Year Foreign Residency Requirement will not prevent the J-1 students from reentering the U.S. as an F-1/ J-1 student, B-1/B-2 tourist, or other visa categories, but it will prevent them from obtaining H-1B non-immigrant employment or Permanent Residency status unless the 2-year requirement is either fulfilled or waived.

If a J-1 is subject to 212(e), their dependents that enter the U.S. in J-2 status are also subject.