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International Students
and Employment
The Career Services Office is available
to assist International Students by providing resources in preparing
for appropriate off campus experiences including internships and
career related employment opportunities. Students are
encouraged to schedule an appointment with a
Career Services staff member.
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).
On-Campus Employment
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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
If approved, the student will
meet with the Designated School Official (DSO) to get all
federally required documents signed to begin employment.
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.
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.
Where can I search for CPT/OPT employment?
- Network with family, friends, and
classmates to see if they know of CPT or OPT opportunities.
- Register on
www.collegecentral.com/gbc (GBC's Career Services Registration
Site) to apply for jobs and post your resume for employers to see.
(Please note that this Career Services site is only a tool to search
for CPT and OPT jobs, and the College does not guarantee placement.)
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.
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).
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