International students are permitted to work only with approval and only in specific situations. International students may participate in:

• Work on-campus part-time for 20 hours or less. Recommended advising from a Designated Student Officer to ensure knowledge of the regulations to maintain visa status. Please submit your I-20 to Human Resources in addition to following the steps below if you are hired to work on campus.

Please be advised that any unauthorized employment is a violation of status and unlawful presence.

On-Campus Employment

F-1 students are allowed to work on campus for no more than 20 hours per week during the regular semester but may be employed full time during breaks between semesters if the student is eligible and intends to enroll for the next semester. International students are not eligible for federal work study employment positions. Employment may not interfere with the student’s academic program. All off-campus employment must be preauthorized with assistance from a Designated Student Officer (DSO) in International Student Services. Please visit the ISS webpage to chat live with a DSO between 8 am and 4:30 pm CST, or email iss@stchas.edu to learn more.

Employment on campus is allowed without Department of Homeland Security (DHS) authorization provided that the student is enrolled full time and that the employment does not displace a U.S. resident. On campus employment means work on the school’s premises, under certain conditions. On campus employment may also include work at off campus locations if it is at a location affiliated with the school. The educational affiliation must be associated with the school’s established curriculum or related to contractually funded projects. The employment must also be an integral part of the educational program. Please check with a Designated Student Officer for more details before accepting and starting such employment. Starting employment that is not authorized or allowed is a violation of status and accrual of unlawful presence.

On campus employment is not allowed after completion of a course of study, except in the following situations:

• Employment authorized for practical training, after the physical card has been received
• The student is continuing studies at a different degree level and SEVIS has been updated for the new program
• The student is transferring schools and the release date has not yet passed

A student may work on campus only at the school which issued the current I-20 for the student. If you have any questions, it is important to discuss these options with a DSO in ISS to ensure that you are not violating your status and thus accruing unlawful presence.

 

Step 1: Campus Employment Letter

Ask your SCC campus hiring department for a campus employment letter. Give them this letter template provided by the Social Security Administration.

The letter must:

• Be on hiring department or SCC letterhead
• Have an original signature from a hiring official

Step 2: ISS Support Letter

After you receive your on-campus employment letter, scan or take a photo of the letter. Email iss@stchas.edu to request an approval letter from a DSO.

Step 3: ISS Processing Time

Allow 10 business days for ISS processing. ISS will verify your full-time status as well as on-campus employment eligibility; ISS will issue a support letter for your SSN application.

Step 4: Receive SSN Support Letter

ISS will email you the completed SSN support letter.

Step 5: Appointment with Social Security Office

Contact your local SSA office for an appointment to apply in person. Apply no earlier than 30 days before your scheduled employment start date. Different SSA offices have different COVID-related policy exceptions; some offices accept scanned documents; others may require original documents. Consult your local office for document instructions when you call to make your appointment.

Bring with you:

• Original on-campus employment letter
• Scanned SSN Support Letter signed by an ISS DSO (if you encounter problems at the SSA office using the scanned letter, please notify ISS)
• Form I-20
• Valid passport (along with old passport if it contains your F-1 visa)
• I-94 card; or, a copy of your F-1 admission stamp in your passport and a printout of your electronic I-94 information, which can be obtained at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/ 
• Form SS-5

Practical training is work permission to obtain on the job training in the student’s field of study to supplement and complement the academic program. There are two types of practical training for F 1 students: curricular practical training and optional practical training.

F 1 students may not undertake practical training unless they have been in lawful full time status for a full academic year (both fall and spring semesters).

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

CPT is work that is a part of a structured program offered in the curriculum. Examples of CPT at St. Charles Community College are cooperative education programs and practicum programs (for credit). You must get approval from the professor or chair of the program, and then obtain approval from a DSO to maintain your student status and not be in violation, thus accruing unlawful presence. 

• Students must complete one academic year (both fall and spring semesters) before becoming eligible for CPT.
• Approved CPT authorization can be found on page 2 of the I-20. To maintain your student status and not accrue unlawful presence, a student may only work for the employer listed on the I-20 and only during the period authorized on the I-20. If you need additional time, you must apply for an extension of the CPT before the current CPT period expires. You must apply separately for each semester you want to participate in CPT.
• Students that use 12 months of full-time CPT are no longer eligible for any Optional Practical Training. If you anticipate using 12 months or more, please talk to your international advisor.
   

If you have further questions, your international advisor will be happy to discuss CPT with you during walk-in hours. Email iss@stchas.edu.

Steps to Take to Apply for CPT

• Step One: Meet a DSO in ISS. Sign up for an appointment here
• Step Two: Complete the student portion of the CPT form and provide it to your professor or Chair for approval. After the professor has completed the form, please drop it of in the ISS office in College Center 102 with a DSO, or email it to iss@stchas.edu
• Step Three: After the DSO updates your I-20 with CPT approval, you may go to the social security office and apply for a social security card should you need to do so

CPT-Approved Student Instructions for Applying for a Social Security Card

Contact your local SSA office for an appointment to apply for an SSN in person. Apply no earlier than 30 days before your scheduled employment start date. Bring with you:

• Form I-20 (updated and endorsed for practical training)
• Passport
• I-94 card; or, a copy of your F-1 admission stamp in your passport and a printout of your electronic I-94 information, which can be obtained at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/ 
• Form SS-5

Practical training is work permission to obtain on the job training in the student’s field of study to supplement and complement the academic program. There are two types of practical training for F 1 students: curricular practical training and optional practical training.

F-1 students may not undertake practical training unless they have been in lawful full time status for a full academic year (both fall and spring semesters).

Optional Practical Training (OPT)
An F-1 student is eligible for up to 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) for use during (pre-completion) and after (post-completion) the completion of the program.

OPT may be carried out under the following circumstances:

Pre-Completion:

• During the semester, no more than 20 hours per week (at the same time as carrying a full-time course load)
• During the annual vacation period or at other times when school is not in session, if the student is eligible and intends to enroll the following semester

Post-Completion:

• After completion of a course of study.

Steps to Take to Apply for OPT

• Students are eligible to apply for OPT up to 90 days prior and 60 days after the program completion date.
• OPT must be approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The approval process often takes two to three months, so students should plan when applying for OPT.
• Students should also be aware that employment may not begin until the approved start date and the physical OPT card has been received. If working on campus, start dates should be carefully considered prior to submitting the application, as this may result in a break in employment authorization.
• The ISS department hosts workshops throughout the year. You can see the schedule and register online.
• As with Curricular Practical Training, students must complete one academic year (both fall and spring semesters) before becoming eligible for OPT.

OPT-approved Student Instructions for Applying for a Social Security Card

Contact your local SSA office for an appointment to apply for an SSN in person. Apply on or after the start date on your EAD card. Bring with you:

• Form I-20 (updated and endorsed for practical training)
• Passport
• I-94 card; or, a copy of your F-1 admission stamp in your passport and a printout of your electronic I-94 information, which can be obtained at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/
• EAD card
• Form SS-5