Lori Meadows
The Federal Work-Study Program in the United States is a federally funded initiative that assists students with the costs of post-secondary education. Unfortunately, international students are generally not eligible for federal funding. However, some schools have policies that allow international students to take advantage of work opportunities. For example, the University of Pennsylvania uses institutional funding to offer work-study programs to eligible international students. To qualify for the Federal Work-Study Program, students must apply for federal assistance through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) program. F-1 students may not work off-campus during the first academic year but may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions.
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What You'll Learn
International students' eligibility for work-study funding in the US
International students studying in the US can work and study at the same time, which can help them finance their educational expenses and tuition. However, international students are generally not eligible for the Federal Work-Study Program, which is a US government program that allows students with financial needs to work part-time and earn money to pay for their education. This is because the program is federally funded and therefore only available to domestic students.
To qualify for the Federal Work-Study Program, students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and indicate an interest in the program. The applicant's financial need is determined based on their application, and they must have proven that they need further assistance to finance their education. The program provides part-time work opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students involved in certain majors. The jobs available vary from on-campus positions such as working in the library or student center, to off-campus positions in federal, state, or local agencies, or private organizations.
While international students are not eligible for the Federal Work-Study Program, they may still have many opportunities to be employed while enrolled as a student. Some schools have special policies that allow international students to take advantage of work opportunities that are otherwise reserved for students in the Federal Work-Study Program. These positions are often funded directly by the school. Additionally, international students can participate in Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) programs, which allow them to work from the moment they arrive on campus. F-1 students may also be eligible to work off-campus in certain situations, such as severe economic hardship.
Overall, while international students may not be eligible for the Federal Work-Study Program, there are still a variety of options available for them to work and study in the US. It is important for international students to seek guidance from the international students office or the career services office to review what job opportunities are available to them.
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On-campus work opportunities for international students
International students in the US can work part-time while studying, and on-campus jobs are relatively easy for them to acquire. International students on F-1 visas can work on campus without needing additional work authorization, and they can work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session. During breaks, they can work more than 20 hours per week.
There are many on-campus jobs available to undergraduate and graduate students, and international students are welcome to apply for the same jobs as domestic students. Some common examples of on-campus jobs include working in the dining hall, library, athletic facilities, campus offices, and departments. Students can also work as paid research assistants or academic tutors, or they can take on paid student leadership roles. International students also find on-campus jobs in cafeterias, bookstores, and science labs, and they don't have to work in their field of study.
To find on-campus jobs, international students can use online job portals, university-specific job platforms, career centers, networking, and job fairs. It is important to research the rules and regulations that apply to international students at their specific college or university, as access to on-campus student positions can vary. For example, international students should be eligible for all on-campus jobs unless the job specifically states otherwise, but they do not qualify for federal work-study jobs. Some universities offer institutionally-funded work-study programs for qualifying international students.
It is also important to understand the immigration regulations and campus policies surrounding on-campus employment for international students. For example, F-1 students can accept on-campus employment immediately and without any additional authorization, but J-1 EV students must obtain authorization from their immigration sponsor prior to beginning on-campus employment. Additionally, F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year but may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions.
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Off-campus work opportunities for international students
International students with an F-1 visa are permitted to work off-campus, but only after completing at least one full academic year of their program. Additionally, they must be experiencing economic hardship that qualifies as an emergent circumstance, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This could include situations such as the loss of financial aid, substantial changes in exchange rates, unexpected increases in tuition or living costs, or other unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control.
To apply for off-campus employment, F-1 students must first discuss their situation with their Designated School Official (DSO), who will determine if their circumstances qualify. If approved, the DSO will provide an updated Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status." The student must then file Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within 30 days of receiving the recommendation. If granted authorization by USCIS, the student will receive a Form I-766, "Employment Authorization Document" (EAD), specifying the dates they are permitted to work off-campus.
It is important to note that off-campus employment authorization is typically valid for one year or until the completion of the student's program, whichever comes first. Additionally, F-1 students must have a Social Security Number to work in the United States, but the social security card alone does not grant permission to work. Students must also ensure they comply with income tax laws and file taxes with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) each year by April 15.
Another option for off-campus employment is Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which is temporary work directly related to the student's major area of study. CPT can be part-time (up to 20 hours per week) during the academic year and full-time during breaks and summer vacations. However, students who engage in full-time CPT for 12 months or more will lose their Optional Practical Training (OPT) benefit upon graduation. OPT is another type of practical training that must also be related to the student's area of study and authorized by the DSO and USCIS before starting any work.
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Curricular Practical Training (CPT) programs
Unfortunately, as work-study is federally funded, the program is not open to international students. However, international students can use Curricular Practical Training (CPT) to gain work experience in the US during their undergraduate and graduate studies. CPT is a type of work authorization that allows F-1 international students to participate in paid and unpaid off-campus internships and practicums during their degree program.
To be eligible for CPT, students must meet the following requirements:
- Must have completed at least one full academic year of school
- Must have a valid job or internship offer
- The job must be related to the student's field of study
- The job must satisfy an integral component of the student's academic program
- The job must start and end before the end of the student's academic program
The CPT application process typically involves the following steps:
- Check with an advisor to see if CPT is available for your academic program.
- Acquire a qualifying job or internship offer.
- Submit your application to the university's ISSS office, along with your official job offer letter and other required documents, such as the internship's start and end dates, the organization's name and address, and your job title and description.
- Enroll in any required CPT or internship credit courses through your school.
- Once your CPT is approved, print and sign your Form I-20, which will be emailed to you by the university.
It's important to note that CPT is tied to a specific employer and job with a set duration, and it can only be used before graduation. Additionally, while part-time CPT employment (up to 20 hours a week) does not affect eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT), 12 months of full-time CPT (up to 40 hours a week) will make a student ineligible for OPT.
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International students and the F-1 Visa
To study as a full-time student in the United States, you will need a student visa. There are two nonimmigrant visa categories: the F-1 Visa and the M-1 Visa. The F-1 Visa (Academic Student) allows you to enter the US as a full-time student at an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or another academic institution, or in a language training program.
To be eligible for an F-1 Visa, you must be enrolled in a program or course of study that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate, and your school must be authorized by the US government to accept foreign students. The school must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, Immigration & Customs Enforcement. You must be enrolled as a full-time student, be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency, and have sufficient funds available for self-support during the entire proposed course of study. You must also maintain a residence abroad that you do not intend to give up.
F-1 students may not work off-campus during the first academic year but may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions. After the first year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment. These include Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT). For off-campus training employment, F-1 students must ensure that the work is related to their area of study and must be authorized by the Designated School Official and USCIS before starting any work.
It is important to note that work-study programs are federally funded and are generally not open to international students. However, some schools have special policies that allow international students to take advantage of work opportunities that are otherwise reserved for students in federal work-study programs. These work opportunities are often funded directly by the school or specific departments within the institution.
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Frequently asked questions
The Federal Work-Study Program is a program that assists students with the costs of post-secondary education. It helps students earn financial funding through a part-time employment program.
No, international students are generally not eligible for federal funding. However, some schools, such as the University of Pennsylvania, use institutional funding to allow eligible international undergraduate students to participate in the work-study program.
To qualify for the Federal Work-Study Program, students must apply for federal assistance through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) program. Students must also demonstrate financial need, with their Expected Family Contribution being less than the cost of attendance.
Some schools match their students with potential employment offers, while others require their students to apply and interview for vacant positions. The jobs can be inside or outside the campus and include a variety of positions such as assisting in the financial aid office or serving as a research assistant.
