Employment Authorization

If eligible, you can seek part-time employment (up to 20 hours per week) at Franklin University while classes are in session. F-1 students do not need special authorization to work on campus, and there is no waiting period to begin on-campus employment. During vacation period or official school breaks, you may work full time at your on-campus job if you are returning to classes for future trimesters, and as needed by your employer.

To be eligible for on-campus employment, you must:

• Be a full-time student (unless you are on a vacation trimester)
• Have a valid Form I-20 and active SEVIS record
• Have a valid passport
• Have an I-94 card marked “F-1 D/S”
You may not seek on-campus employment if you:
• Are in violation of your F-1 status
• Are on a medical or academic leave of absence
• Have completed your degree program

If you would like to work on campus, complete an online job application and submit a résumé and cover letter to the Office of Human Resources.

If you receive an on-campus job offer, you will need to obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) from the U.S. Government. To do so, you will need a letter signed by the Office of Human Resources and International Student Services (ISS) to verify employment and valid F-1 status. 

Sometimes on-campus employment opportunities are not available or are otherwise insufficient and international students experience economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances beyond their control. When this happens, they may apply to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an off-campus work permit. USCIS requires that the student make a “good faith effort” to locate employment on campus before applying for employment based on economic hardship.

To be eligible to seek off-campus employment based on economic hardship, you must:

• Be a full-time student unless you are on a vacation term
• Have a valid form I-20 and a valid active SEVIS record
• Have a valid passport
• Have an I-94 card that is marked “F-1 D/S”
• Demonstrate that the employment is necessary to avoid severe economic hardship due to unforeseen economic circumstances beyond your control
• Have been in valid F-1 status for 9 months or one full academic year
• Not have been able to find employment on-campus

You are NOT eligible to seek off-campus employment based on economic hardship if you:

• Are in violation of your F-1 status
• Are on medical or academic leave of absence
• Have completed your degree program
• Are already employed on-campus or working off-campus based on CPT

Apply for Off-Campus Employment Based on Economic Hardship

To complete your application packet, you will need the following:

1. A completed Form I-765 {code is (c) (3) (iii)} (http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-765.pdf)
2. A copy of your SEVIS I-20 (provided by International Student & Scholar Advisor) and copies of any old I-20s
3. Two passport photos
4.  A copy of your Passport, a copy of both sides of Form I-94, and a copy of your visa
5. A written statement from the student describing the economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances
6. Supporting documentation which verifies the economic hardship. Examples include evidence of unexpected currency fluctuations, or the unexpected loss of employment or unexpected medical expenses incurred by you or your financial sponsor.
7. Submit a list of your assets, income and expenses
8. $340 fee, check or money order made out to “US Citizenship and Immigration Services” or USCIS

Before you submit your application materials, make an appointment with an International Student & Scholar Advisor to review the application materials and to receive your new SEVIS I-20.

After your appointment, mail all materials listed to:                    

USCIS
PO Box 21281
Phoenix, AZ 85036

Note: USCIS can take up to 90 days to authorize employment based on Severe Economic Hardship. Apply as soon as possible.

After receiving your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card in the mail, F-1 students may work off campus for 20 hours per week or less from the start date that is indicated on their EAD card. During vacation periods, F-1 students may work full-time if they are returning to classes for subsequent terms.

Submit a photocopy of your EAD to the Office of International Services and Programs (OISP).  USCIS regulations require that a copy of this document be kept in your file.  For more information contact OISP at 614.947.6752 or oisp@franklin.edu.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for F-1 students is intended to provide hands-on practical work experience in situations where the work serves as an integral part of a student’s academic program, prior to the completion of that program.  Franklin University defines Curricular Practical Training as an internship for college credit. 

Although authorized part-time CPT employment is permitted with no penalties until completion of a degree, students who have received one year or more of full-time CPT are ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which is practical training immediately after graduation.

To be eligible for CPT, you must:

1. Be a full-time student unless you are on a vacation term.
2. Have been in valid F-1 status for 9 months or one full academic year.
3. Have a valid form I-20 and a valid active SEVIS record.
4. Have a valid passport.
5. Have an I-94 card that is marked “F-1 D/S”
6. Find employment that meets the definition of Curricular Practical Training as being “alternate 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.”  8 C.F.R. § 214 (f) (10) (i)
7. Find employment that is “an integral part of an established curriculum.”  8 C.F.R. § 214 (f) (10) (i)
8. Find employment that is a temporary internship through an employer and not a permanent employment position. 
9. Find an internship for college credit as an integral part of your student’s academic program. It must be endorsed and monitored by the student’s academic department.
10. Graduate students only: Find employment that builds upon required competencies that are aligned with specific graduate program outcomes.

You are NOT eligible for CPT if you:

• Are in violation of your F-1 status
• Are on medical or academic leave of absence
• Have completed your degree program

Apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

If you are an undergraduate student, please download the following internship manual.

If you are a graduate student, please download the form for your degree program:

• MBA Graduate CPT form
• MSCS Graduate CPT form
• MCM Graduate CPT form

After you meet with the Program Chair of your specific program and have all the required signatures, please make an appointment with an International Student & Scholar Advisor to receive your new I-20 by calling 614.947.6752 or emailing oisp@franklin.edu.

Bring the following to the Office of International Services and Programs:

1)      Passport
2)      I-94 card
3)      Form I-20
4)      Completed Franklin University internship form with signatures
5)      Employer offer letter on your employer’s company letterhead that includes the following:

1.       The job description
2.       The start date and end date of internship
3.       The number of hours that will be worked per week
4.      The name and address of the employer

Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 students is intended to provide you with hands-on, relevant work experience complementary to your academic program. The employment must be directly related to your field of study and commensurate with your degree level.

While in OPT, individuals are still considered F-1 students at Franklin University even though they may be working elsewhere in the United States.

OPT is available in the following cases:

•         Pre-Completion: Part time (20 hours per week or less) while school is in session; full-time during breaks or vacations

•         Post-Completion: Full-time after completion of the course of study

•         STEM Extension:  An additional 17-month extension for certain STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) degree holders

As an F-1 student, you are eligible for 12 months of OPT per degree level and the STEM extension for certain majors once per lifetime. Part-time OPT (up to 20 hours per week) is deducted from the available training at one-half the full-time rate. OPT is available after the completion of either a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

To be eligible for OPT, you must:

• Be a full-time student (unless you are on a vacation trimester)
• Have been in valid F-1 status for one full academic year
• Have a valid Form I-20 and an active SEVIS record
• Have a valid passport
• Have an I-94 card that is marked “F-1 D/S”
• Meet all the degree requirements to complete your program (Post-Completion OPT)

Apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Submit your OPT application early! It can take U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) more than three months to send your approval.

Register for a Mandatory OPT Workshop

The Office of International Services & Programs (OISP) will be offering a new Optional Practical Training (OPT) workshop for international (F-1) students planning to apply for OPT every term. 

Workshop attendance is mandatory for students applying for OPT. Please contact an International Student & Scholar Advisor at 614.947.6752 or oisp@franklin.edu for dates and times. Special Note: After the end date of the OPT, students have a 60-day grace period. Students making a trip outside of the U.S. while in OPT after graduation will need a signature from the International Student Advisor on Form I-20 within the last six months for re-entry into the United States. Students will also need to travel with an employer letter to prove they are presently employed to re-enter while in OPT. For more information contact OISP at 614.947.6752 or oisp@franklin.edu.