A large group of students seated in a lecture hall take notes and look toward the front of the room.

Economic Hardship Employment

Employment Options For F-1 Students Facing Economic Hardship

F-1 international students facing economic hardship may qualify for one or both of these U.S. government programs to help ease the burden. Read more about these programs below and contact an SISS international student advisor with questions.

Severe Economic Hardship Employment 

Overview

If you are an F-1 student who is experiencing severe economic hardship due to unforeseen (i.e., unexpected) events, you may be able to apply for off-campus work authorization if off-campus work will help you with your financial needs.

Eligibility

Eligibility requirements for this type of work authorization are as follows: 

  • You must have completed at least one full academic year before you can start working (although you can apply before the end of the full academic year). 
  • You must be in good academic standing. 
  • You must be able to show that you have an economic need due to unforeseen (unexpected) situations, such as unexpected medical events, a sponsor’s loss of employment, a natural or civil disaster in your country, or a devaluation of your home country’s currency due to an economic crisis. 
  • You must make good-faith efforts at finding on-campus employment, and demonstrate that any on-campus work opportunities are not sufficient to meet your financial needs.
  • You must still be able to maintain full-time enrollment and valid F-1 student status while working off-campus. 
How to Apply

In order to get this type of work authorization, you must be recommended by an SISS international student advisor and then submit an application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). 

To learn more or if you think you have a case for this type of employment authorization, schedule an appointment with a SISS international student advisor. If USCIS approves your application, you will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card that allows you to accept off-campus employment. 

Note the following restrictions: 

  • The EAD can be approved for up to one year or until your program completion date, whichever comes first. 
  • You may work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) during the school year or full-time (more than 20 hours) during school vacations and breaks. 
  • The card loses validity if, for any reason, you stop studying or fall out of valid F-1 student status. 

Note: off-campus work does not have to be related to your degree or major field of study, and will not impact your eligibility for F-1 curricular practical training (CPT) or optional practical training (OPT).

Special Student Relief

Special Student Relief is a program that assists F-1 students who are citizens (or, in certain cases, residents) of countries and regions designated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for special relief. 

If you are an F-1 student from one of the designated countries (listed below), you can  

  • apply for permission to work more than 20 hours per week during the school year, and/or 
  • apply for off-campus employment authorization, without having to complete a full academic year of study.   

In addition, if you are approved for either expanded on-campus employment or off-campus employment, you can also request approval for a reduced course load (minimum of 6 credits for undergraduate students and 3 credits for graduate students), if that will assist in lowering your financial burden. You would still need to discuss a reduced courseload with both your academic advisor and a SISS international student advisor.  

Eligibility

To qualify, you must be an F-1 student in valid F-1 status and you must meet the specific requirements for your country. Countries and regions currently designated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for F-1 Special Student Relief are indicated below, along with the current expiration dates for each Special Student Relief program. Click on each country to confirm specific eligibility requirements and deadlines. 

How to Apply

For more information about the Special Student Relief program, make an appointment with a SISS international student advisor. You can also consult the Special Student Relief reference page on Study in the States. 

Note: if you have an active employment authorization (EAD) issued to you under the Temporary Protected Status program, you may also automatically qualify for Special Student Relief benefits. Discuss this with a SISS international student advisor if this applies to you.