• Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
• Optional Practical Training (OPT)
• Economic Hardship
• On-Campus Employment

Health insurance

• Overview and Requirements
• Waiving Health Insurance
• Access your HTH account

Immigration

• Applying for a new F-1 visa
• Canadian visa
• Extension of F-1 status
• Maintenance of Status
• Change of Local Address
• Change of Immigration Status
• Exception to full time requirement

Life in the U.S.

• Social Security and Non-Driver State ID
• Driver's license

Academic Issues

• Foreign Language Waiver

E-mail this page

Employment Due to Severe Economic Hardship

If other employment opportunities are not available or are insufficient, a student in F-1 status may request off-campus work authorization based upon severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control.

Eligibility:

1. You must have been enrolled full-time for one full academic year (fall + spring semesters)
2. You must be in good standing and carrying a full course of study
3. You must demonstrate that acceptance of employment will not interfere with carrying a full course of study
4. You must demonstrate that on-campus work is insufficient

First Step

• Produce documentation demonstrating unexpected changes in your financial condition. This may be a loss of financial support through no fault of your own, substantial fluctuations in the value of currency or exchange rate, inordinate increases in tuition and/or living costs, unexpected changes in the financial condition of your source of support, medical bills, or other substantial and unexpected expenses
• Complete Section A of an I-538
• Complete an I-765. [for question #16, enter: (c)(3)(iii)]
• Have two photographs taken (see examples)
• Copy of passport (Check the validity of your passport)
• Make a list of your assets, income and expenses

Second Step

Bring all the documents that prove the unexpected financial changes, Form I-538, I-20, completed I-765, passport, and I-94 to an international student advisor. The international student advisor will:

• Check the I-538 Section B indicating unavailability or insufficiency of employment through on-campus employment
• Review your application
• Issue new SEVIS I-20 recommending you for full-time or part-time work authorization

Third Step

Submit application assembled in the following order to:

USCIS SERVICE CENTER
75 Lower Walden St.,
St. Albans, VT 05479- 0001

• A check or money order made payable to the U.S Dept. of Homeland Security for $175
• Form I-765
• Form I-538
• A photocopy of your new SEVIS I-20
• A list of your assets, income and expenses
• A copy of form I-94 Departure Record (front and back)
• A photocopy of the important pages in your passport including your student visa (if you are Canadian you may use another form of photo-bearing identification)
• Two photographs (see examples )

Important:

1. The employment authorization may be granted in one-year intervals up to the expected date of completion of your current course of study. The authorization may be renewed by the USCIS only if you are maintaining status and good academic standing and continue to document severe economic hardship
2. Permission to work will be granted for a maximum of 20 hours per week while school is in session. You may be employed full-time during holidays and vacation periods provided that you intend to register for the next term.
   You must have an EAD in your possession before beginning to work.

Notice: Employment authorization based on Severe Economic Hardship is NOT a sufficient reason to drop below full-time. In other words, you must maintain full-time status while approved for the employment.

Questions, Comments, Suggestions?

If you have any questions about international admission or financial aid at SUNY-Plattsburgh, please contact:

International Student Services
State University of New York at Plattsburgh
Kehoe Administration Building, Room 209
101 Broad Street
Plattsburgh, New York 12901 USA

Phone: (518) 564-3287
Fax: (518) 564-3292
E-mail: iss@plattsburgh.edu