International Students and Employment

International Students need to familiarize themselves with the International Student Regulations and Reporting Requirements.

If you are on an F-1 visa, there are several restrictions you need to follow before accepting employment.  There are three different types of employment available to International Students:  On-Campus Employment, Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT).  Listed below are the rules and regulations to follow when applying for these types of employment.

It is the student’s responsibility to comply with all immigration regulations and policies at GBC which apply to F-1 students, including employment regulations. Working without the proper authorization is a serious violation of the student status. If the student fails to comply with the above listed responsibilities, the student may not be eligible for benefits normally granted to F-1 students and in some situations, may be subject to deportation.  PRIOR TO ACCEPTING ANY EMPLOYMENT IN THE USA, THE STUDENT IS URGED TO CONSULT WITH A DESIGNATED SCHOOL OFFICIAL (DSO).

Any full time International Student in good academic standing is eligible to work on campus.  You do not need permission to work-on campus from USCIS.  Students can not work more than 20 hours per week during mandatory semesters, which are Fall and Spring.

Please note that on-campus jobs are limited and are offered on a first come, first serve basis.  For more information regarding on-campus employment see your advisor.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

The Immigration Service defines Curricular Practical Training as employment which is an integral part of an established curriculum, including alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum, which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.  According to INS the word "required" does not always limit this type of practical training to work experience, which are required parts of the curriculum.

• How are International Students eligible for CPT at Goldey-Beacom College?
  • Undergraduate F-1 students
    • Must be full time for one full academic year (9 months) at GBC before they can engage in curricular practical training.
    • Undergraduate students must be in good academic standing with at least a 2.75 GPA to apply for CPT and cannot have any outstanding obligations to the college.
    • The CPT must be registered as a 3 credit internship course or 1 credit course if there are no more electives remaining in the student's schedule.
    The student will be charged for the registered credits at the current tuition rate.
    • The CPT must fulfill the same obligations and requirements as the Internship For Credit Program, with the job being directly related to the student's major field of study.  The student cannot work more than 20 hours per week.
  • Graduate F-1 students
  • Must have completed one full academic year (9 months) as an F-1 student (undergraduate or graduate) before they can engage in curricular practical training. One year of full time enrollment can be at any accredited college or university in the USA.
  • One year of full time enrollment can be at any accredited college or university in the USA.
  • To be eligible to apply to the CPT program, Graduate students must be in good academic standing and cannot have any outstanding obligations to the college.
  • The CPT must be registered as a 1 credit course and the student will be charged for 1 credit at the current tuition rate.
  • The CPT must fulfill the same obligations as an internship or co-op with the job responsibilities being directly related to the student's major field of study and the student cannot work more than 20 hours per week unless approved for full time employment by the Career Services Office, with written documentation from their employer with the intent to sponsor an H1b visa within the year.
• What are other things that need to be considered?
  • To be considered for CPT, the work must not only be directly related to the student's major field of study, but must also be an integral or important part of his/her studies.  For the benefit of the student’s educational experience, it is recommended that the work site be an established business with a minimum of 10 employees to provide the appropriate training and guidance to the student’s learning objectives.  Additionally, for the safety of our students, the internship work site must be non-residential.
    
    Students are required to consult with their academic advisor about their particular academic program and eligibility for CPT before accepting any offer of employment.
    
    If the student is eligible, he/she will need to meet with the Director of Career Services and pick up the appropriate application materials for CPT/Internship.  Once approved for the CPT, the internship will be registered and the student will be charged at the current tuition rate.
• How many hours can a student work per week while involved with part time CPT?
  • Employment cannot exceed 20 hours per week while the student is enrolled in classes.  The employment authorization on the back of the I-20 copy will specify permission to engage in part time CPT.  With prior approval from the Director of Career Services, permission for full-time employment may be granted for F-1 students with documentation demonstrating an employer’s intent to file for the H1b visa sponsorship within the year.
• How long is the duration of CPT?
  • There is a one year limitation upon length of time the student may participate in part time CPT, unless the student graduates before the year is up, then the CPT ends the day of graduation.  Students must simultaneously be enrolled in order to maintain lawful F-1 status.  Students must re-new their CPT application every year.
• What standards of conduct must students observe?
  • The student needs to keep in mind that he/she represents Goldey-Beacom College at all times.  The student is expected to conduct himself/herself in a courteous and businesslike manner and to dress appropriately for the world of work.  The student must also adhere to all of the policies and procedures put forth by the employing organization.
• How do students get their CPT approved?
  • Students are not permitted to begin employment until they have received official approval from a Designated School Official (DSO) for their CPT.  It is illegal to start employment before the CPT is officially approved.  This may jeopardize the student's visa status and in some situations, may result in deportation.
    1. Before locating employment, the student should consult with his/her academic advisor/DSO to make sure they meet the eligibility requirements and determine if there are elective credits in their schedule for internship credit.
    2. Once employment is located, the student should meet with the Director of Career Services to discuss the work assignment and pick up the appropriate application materials and paperwork.
    3. All relevant application materials must be picked up from the Career Services office and must be completed by the student and employer and turned in immediately for consideration for approval.  Students cannot start employment until the CPT is officially approved by a DSO.  The paperwork includes:
       • Internship Employer and Student Agreement Form for CPT Students signed by the student, employer (internship supervisor) and Director of Career Services.
       • Internship Application Form for CPT Students filled out by student, Academic Advisor and employer, and signed for approval by Director of Career Services, DSO (Designated School Official) and Chief Academic Officer (Student can turn form in after student and employer complete sections assigned) the signatures for approval will follow after form is turned in.
       • Employer Verification and Job Description. This should be typed on a separate sheet of paper on company letterhead signed by the employer (internship supervisor) stating the detailed job description. The job description should include the following information:
         • Accurate and complete description of job duties/responsibilities (must be related to the student’s field of study)
         • Hours of work per week (no more than 20, unless approved by Director of Career Services when H1b visa sponsorship is pending.)
         • Beginning and ending dates (cannot be more than one year.)
         • Signed by the immediate supervisor and/ or Human Resources Department
       • Copy of student’s current resume.
       •  International Student Application Requirements for Part time Curricular Practical Training signed by the student.
    4. All appropriate paperwork must be turned in to the Career Services office and will be submitted to the Advisement Office and Chief Academic Officer for approval.
    5. Once the paperwork is turned in and processed, the Director of Career Services will formally notify the student by postage mail on approval status and will be given the assignment and due date.
    6. If approved, the student will meet with the Designated School Official (DSO) to get all federally required documents signed to begin employment.
    7. The CPT/ internship course will appear on the student’s schedule for the appropriate session and semester and the student will be charged at the current tuition rate.
    8. The student is required to complete an academic assignment determined by the Chief Academic Officer and will need to submit the written assignment to the Career Services Office by the respected due date near the end of the CPT.
• Where do students pick up the appropriate application materials to apply for CPT?
  • All application materials for students applying for CPT can be picked up in the Career Services office, or can be assessed online below:
         CPT Undergraduate Form
         CPT Graduate Form
    Reading and printing these forms in no way obligates the employer or Goldey-Beacom College to hiring or approving the CPT request. All processes and approvals must be followed which apply to the student’s situation.
• Who should students contact if they have additional questions when applying for CPT?
  • Students can contact the Career Services Office by phone 302-225-6256, e-mail careers@gbc.edu, or visit the office located in the Joseph West Jones Center in the Department of External Affairs. The Designated School Officials located in the Advisement office and can be reached by phone 302-225-6265.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Under Optional Practical Training regulations, an F-1 student may be approved for up to 12 months of optional practical training after each level in F-1 status.  The student may obtain authorization for optional practical training after completion of a course of study. The student must apply no earlier than 90 days before degree completion.

• What are the eligibility requirements for International Students to submit application for Optional Practical Training (OPT)?
  • The student must meet all of the following requirements:
    1. The individual must have been in student status for at least one academic year.
    2. The student must currently be maintaining a valid F-1 visa.
    3. The student must have completed a degree program.
    4. The student must intend to work after completion of studies in a job directly related to his/her field of study.
    5. The student must have no outstanding obligations to the college (coursework, financial obligations or required paperwork).
• Do students need to have a job offer available before applying for OPT?
  • No, students do not need to have a job offer before applying for Optional Practical Training but must in any case apply before completion of their degree program.
• When is the recommended time to apply for OPT?
  • To apply for OPT, the student must come to the Advisement Office no more than 90 days before the anticipated completion of a course of study to pick up the OPT application packet.
• What is the duration of OPT?
  • Optional Practical Training must end no later than 14 months from the completion of studies date. Students are only permitted to apply for a period of 12 months of OPT following each degree received as long as the degrees are a higher level (i.e. associates to bachelors or bachelors to masters). Obtaining two degrees of the same level, such as an MBA concentration in Finance and a Master of Management, entitles applicant to only one 12-month period of OPT.
• What are the Application and Authorization Procedures for OPT?
  • To apply for OPT the student must come to the Advisement Office no more than 90 days before anticipated completion of a course of study to pick up the OPT application packet. The student must apply to the Advisement Office and USCIS for an Employment Authorization Document within this application period. Advisement nor USCIS will process the student’s application after the completion of his/her course of study.
     
    PLEASE NOTE: NO APPLICATION WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER COMPLETION OF DEGREE.
• What other materials do students need to bring to apply for OPT?
  • When applying for OPT, students should bring with them the completed OPT packet, their passport, VISA, I-94, and all original I-20s. The OPT packet should also include 2 photos and a check for $175 made out to INS/ United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. All materials should be turned into their Designated School Officials for processing.
• What is the expected processing time once OPT application materials are received?
  • Once all OPT materials are turned into the student’s Designated School Official, the processing time is 7-14 business days. The Designated School Official will contact the student once the OPT materials has been processed. It is the student’s responsibility to mail in the application materials to the processing center. After the application has been received by the processing center it may take up to 90 days for approval status.
• Where are the two places the student needs to apply for OPT?
  • The student must apply both to the Advisement Office and USCIS for an Employment Authorization Document within this application period. Advisement nor USCIS will process the student’s application after completion of his/her degree program.
• How do students know if their OPT has been approved?
  • If the student has been approved of OPT he/she will receive an Employment Authorization Document Card. The student cannot begin working until he/she receives this card. The student is also required to provide the College with a copy of the card.
• Who can students contact for additional information relating to OPT?
  • Students are encouraged to contact the Advisement Office or a Designated School Official (DSO).