F-1 students in lawful status with a current Form I-20 issued by ISSO and enrolled full-time at North Carolina A&T may work up to twenty hours per week on campus while school is in session. Payment received must be through NCA&TSU Payroll. You do not need specific written employment authorization from ISSO or USCIS; however ISSO requests you to provide confirmation of employment so that your file can be updated and documented. F-1 students are considered to be working 20 hours a week on campus if they hold a half-time teaching/research assistantship. Students should not accept additional appointments, supplemental pay, or any additional pay for hours worked beyond the 20 hour per week maximum. Students who agree to work beyond the 20 hours per week limit are in violation of their nonimmigrant visa. The employment will be terminated immediately (with a loss of tuition remission and health insurance if you are a TA or RA) and you may have to leave the U.S. Full-time enrollment is required during the Fall and Spring semesters. On-campus employment may be full-time during holidays and summer vacations, if you are not registered for courses during the summer but are pre-enrolled or intend to enroll for the Fall. Employment is limited to NCA&TSU hiring departments/offices/facilities (e.g., your paycheck is through NCA&TSU Payroll).
USCIS defines some type of off-campus employment as “extended
on-campus employment.” In such cases, USCIS requires
that the location be directly associated and/or affiliated
with the University’s established curriculum and
related to contractually funded projects at the post graduate
level through North Carolina A&T. This type of employment
requires specific documentation. The employment must be
an integral part of the student’s educational program.
For this type of employment, the F-1 student must obtain
written authorization from ISSO BEFORE engaging in employment.
The academic advisor is required to complete the Extended
On-Campus Employment Form, issued by the ISSO.
F-1 Off-Campus Employment
Students in F-1 status must have explicit written work authorization from either ISSO or USCIS before engaging in any off-campus employment. An F-1 student may obtain permission to work in either of the following:
Severe Economic
Hardship
If you can demonstrate that a “severe economic hardship” was caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond your control, it may be possible to obtain work authorization. This type of employment must be authorized by USCIS in advance.
Severe Economic Hardship is decided on a case-by-case basis. Examples of unforeseen economic hardship are: loss of research/teaching assistantship due to lack of funding, substantial fluctuations in the value of home currency or exchange rate, unexpected changes in the financial condition of the student’s source of support, documented illness, etc. Please consult with an ISSO Advisor to obtain more information regarding application process and eligibility requirements.
Curricular Practical
Training (CPT)
Curricular Practical Training is employment in the student’s field of study prior to completion of the academic program. The employment must be a fundamental or an integral/required part of an existing curriculum or academic program. The training must be alternate work-study; an internship; cooperative education; or required practicum that is offered by a sponsoring employer through a documented agreement with the school.
Students enrolled in a degree program at North Carolina A&T should speak with an ISSO Advisor for eligibility requirements and the application process. [The proposed curricular practical training must be listed in the school’s course catalogue with the number of credits awarded on completion, along with information about faculty supervision and a description of the course featuring a clear definition of the course objectives.]
Optional Practical
Training (OPT)
Optional Practical Training is a benefit given to F-1 students in lawful status. This benefit allows for a maximum of 12-months of off-campus employment (i.e., graduating or submitting thesis or dissertation to the Graduate School, whichever is earlier), prior to completion, or a combination of both. One year of OPT can be requested after each degree level (Bachelor, Master and Doctorate). OPT is not employer specific, but is limited only to a temporary position in the major field of study identified on the current I-20. Students are required to apply directly to USCIS with the recommendations of the academic advisor and the ISSO. Once approved, USCIS will issue a Form I-688B – Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to the student. If you are authorized for OPT and wish to further the employment beyond the 12 month maximum (check the end date on the EAD), you should contact the ISSO to discuss the possibility of a change of status.
