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Employment Options

 

F-1 international students are admitted to the United States based in part on documented access to funds that cover their tuition and living expenses. While limited employment opportunities are available under F-1 visa regulations, these should be viewed as supplemental income rather than the primary means of support.

For immigration purposes, “employment” includes any work performed in exchange for compensation, which may take the form of wages, room and board, or other significant benefits. Before accepting any type of employment, it is your responsibility to ensure it is permitted under F-1 regulations. Always consult with an International Student Advisor before pursuing employment to avoid jeopardizing your status.

 

On-Campus Employment

International students interested in on-campus employment can explore opportunities through the college’s online job portal, which is updated regularly with open positions. While international students are not eligible for Federal Work-Study positions, they may apply for any part-time staff jobs or College Work-Study positions.

As Columbus State is a non-residential college, the number of part-time student positions is limited. The International Student Services office does not provide job referral services, so we encourage students to regularly check the college’s employment website for the latest updates.

https://www.cscc.edu/about/employment/ 

Once you successfully secure a part time on campus position and need a supporting letter for your Social Security Number (SSN) application, please contact International Student Services at jtang4@cscc.edu for assistance and guidance on the SSN application process.

💡 Tip: Apply early, as positions are competitive and may fill quickly.

Eligibility Criteria and Requirements

  • Maintenance if active lawful F-1 status at CSCC (waiting for a change of status does not qualify)
  • Position must not be supported by federal government funds (federal work study positions not ok, college work study positions ok)

Work duration

  • Part-time: 20 hrs per week maximim. Employment terminates upon completion of study/ graduation/ or transfer to another school. Employment not allowed during the 60-day grace period following completion of study.
  • Initial entry F1s may begin work 30 days before class start
  • Full-Time work allowed during annual vacation and semester breaks however, CSCC may not allow full-time on-campus employment for F1 students

Additional notes

  • No application fee
  • No permission from International Student Services required
  • Work doesn’t have to relate to field of study
  • Employment terminates if student violates F1 status.

 

Off-Campus Work Permission based on Severe Economic Hardship

If on-campus employment opportunities are not available and an F-1 student experiences severe financial hardship due to unforeseen circumstances, they may apply to USCIS for off-campus employment authorization. The application is submitted directly to USCIS, requires a processing fee (see the current USCIS fee amount), and may take 3–5 months to process. If approved, students are permitted to work off-campus with certain limitations (see below). F-1 students may not begin off-campus employment until the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) has been received from USCIS. Processing times vary—see USCIS Processing Times for current estimates.

Students are strongly encouraged to discuss this option with a qualified and experienced immigration attorney before pursuing an application. If you need to request the necessary I-20 with the recommendation for off-campus employment to include with your application to USCIS, please contact the PDSO at jtang4@cscc.edu to schedule an advising appointment.

Please note: Columbus State does not control USCIS fees or processing times. These are determined by USCIS and may change without prior notice.

Eligibility Criteria and Requirements

  • Students who have been in F-1 status for one academic year (defined as a Autumn and Spring semester), are in good academic standing. 
  • Can demonstrate that acceptance of employment will not interfere with the ability to carry a full course of study. 
  • Must have had a “good faith” effort to find employment on-campus
  • Must have a well-documented situation that shows loss of external funding

Additional notes

  • Authorization is granted by USCIS in increments of up to one year at a time, or until the program end date, whichever is shorter. Students using this authorization must remain enrolled full-time.
  • It allows students to work off-campus up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session, and full-time (more than 20 hours per week) during semester breaks. The employment does not need to be related to the student’s field of study.
  • An application fee is required, and the fee is non-refundable if the application is denied. Authorization automatically ends if a student transfers to another school.

Have questions? Email International Student Services at jtang4@cscc.edu we’re here to help!

 

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is temporary employment authorization for eligible F-1 students to participate in practical training that is directly related to their major and an integral, required part of their established curriculum.

At Columbus State, CPT is only available when the internship, practicum, cooperative education, or other practical training is a required component of an eligible Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program and is offered through a sponsoring employer under the applicable cooperative agreement with Columbus State.

A job offer or enrollment in an internship course alone does not establish CPT eligibility. CPT must be reviewed and authorized in advance by International Student Services and listed on the student's Form I-20 before any employment or practical training begins.

Eligibility Criteria and Requirements

  • Have completed one full academic year in lawful F-1 status and be in good academic standing.

  • Be enrolled in an eligible Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program.

  • Be registered for an internship, practicum, cooperative education, or other practical-training course that is required for the student's declared major and degree curriculum.

  • Participate in training that is required as part of the established curriculum for students completing that program, rather than an optional experience selected only by the individual student.

  • Have a training opportunity that is directly related to the major listed on the student's Form I-20.

  • Complete the training with a sponsoring employer under the applicable cooperative agreement with Columbus State.

Internships or practical-training opportunities taken only for personal enrichment, career development, certificate requirements, or elective credit do not qualify for CPT. Receiving academic credit by itself does not make an internship eligible for CPT.

Additional Notes

  • CPT is authorized for a specific employer, location, and period of time. A new CPT authorization is required before changing employers or extending the authorized dates.

  • CPT may be authorized as either part-time or full-time when the curricular requirement and F-1 requirements are met.

  • A student who completes 12 months or more of full-time CPT becomes ineligible for post-completion OPT at the same educational level.

  • CPT is authorized by the P/DSO through SEVIS. There is no separate USCIS Form I-765 application, Employment Authorization Document (EAD), or USCIS filing fee for CPT.

  • CPT cannot be authorized retroactively. Students must not begin paid or unpaid practical training until CPT has been approved and the updated Form I-20 showing CPT authorization has been issued.

Have questions? Email International Student Services at jtang4@cscc.edu we’re here to help!

 

Optional Practical Training - OPT(Post completion/ after graduation)  

Post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows eligible F-1 students to apply for up to 12 months of employment authorization after completing their degree. Employment must be directly related to the student's major listed on the Form I-20.

A job offer is not required to apply for post-completion OPT. Students must first receive an OPT recommendation from International Student Services and an updated Form I-20 before submitting Form I-765 to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A USCIS application fee applies.

Eligibility Criteria and Requirements

  • Students must meet the one full academic year requirement and be maintaining valid F-1 status and good academic standing.
  • Students must be in their final semester and have applied for graduation with an eligible Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, or an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree with a declared specialization at Columbus State.
  • Students must not have been previously authorized for OPT at the same or a higher educational level.
  • Earliest Application Date: USCIS may receive the post-completion OPT application up to 90 days before the program end date.
  • Latest Application Date: USCIS must receive the application no later than 60 days after the program end date.
  • After International Student Services enters the OPT recommendation in SEVIS, the student must file Form I-765 with USCIS within 30 days of the OPT recommendation.
  • Students may not begin employment until USCIS approves the OPT application, the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is issued, and the authorized OPT start date has arrived.
  • Employment during post-completion OPT must be directly related to the student's major listed on the Form I-20.

 

Important Federal Rule Update

A federal rule that would replace the traditional F-1 Duration of Status (D/S) framework with a fixed period of admission was scheduled to take effect in September 2026. Implementation of that rule is currently on hold due to ongoing federal litigation.

F-1 students should follow the OPT requirements currently in effect. Because future court action could affect F-1 procedures, students preparing for OPT are encouraged to begin planning early and review current instructions from International Student Services before filing with USCIS.

 

Have questions? Email International Student Services at jtang4@cscc.edu  we’re here to help!

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