Economic Hardship

If other employment opportunities are not available or are otherwise insufficient, an eligible F-1 student may request off-campus work authorization based on severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control.  These circumstances may include:

• Loss of financial aid or on-campus employment without fault on the part of the student;
• Substantial fluctuations in the value of currency or in the exchange rate;
• Unusually high increases in tuition and/or living expenses;
• Unusually high medical bills;
• Other substantial and unexpected expenses

You are eligible to apply for employment based on severe economic hardship if you:

• Have been in F-1 status for one full academic year
• In good academic standing (2.0 GPA for undergraduates/3.0 GPA for graduates) and demonstrate that the employment will not interfere with the student's carrying a full course of study
• Make a good faith effort to locate employment on-campus before applying for employment based on economic hardship

The student is not required to have a job offer before applying for this type of employment authorization, and the job is not restricted to student's field of study/major.  Economic hardship permission does not affect OPT.

To apply, please make an appointment with an international student advisor.