Employment Options
On Campus Employment
On campus employment is defined as employment on the college's
premise. This would permit eligible F-1 students to work at any
of Valencia Community College's fours campuses. F-1 students who
are maintaining their status may work beginning with their first
term at the college. Some important facts to know:
- U.S.CIS approval is NOT required for on-campus employment if
the F-1 student is maintaining F-1 status.
- On-campus authorization is approved by the Foreign Student Advisor.
- On-campus employment is defined as employment on the college's
premises, but it can be with an on-location commercial firm providing
on-campus services for the college's students (such as the cafeteria
food service).
- On-campus employment is limited to 20 hours per week while school
is in session. Student can work full-time during vacation periods.
- Student must pursuing a full course of study, or, if employed
during annual vacation, intend to register for the next academic
term at the college.
- Employment may begin no sooner than 30 days prior to the start
of classes for new student with initial entry to a new program.
- Student employment can only occur at the school responsible
for the student's SEVIS record. Once a student's SEVIS record
has been transferred, student is no longer eligible to work at
transfer-out college.
- F-1 student who is maintaining status is eligible to work on-campus
until the end date on Form I-20 unless student graduates before
that date at which point employment is terminated.
- Students are subject to federal and state taxes and exempt from
Social Security and Medicare taxes. For more information on taxes,
ISS will schedule tax workshops during each spring semester.
Curricular Practical Training
(CPT) is defined as alternate work/study, internship, cooperative
education, or any other type of required internship or practicum,
which is offered by sponsoring employers through internship agreements
with Valencia Community College . CPT is a legal temporary working
opportunity to gain practical experience within a student's field
of major.
CPT can be done during the fall, spring, and summer semesters.
It is granted only on a semester-by-semester basis. It can be done
on either a part-time or full-time basis. During the Fall and Spring
Terms, CPT can only be part-time of no more than 20 hours per week.
Students must maintain a full course of study during the Fall and
Spring terms. Full-time CPT can be pursued during Summer terms and
term of graduation. Full-time CPT consist of 21 hours per week or
more.
Requirements:
- Students must be in valid F-1 status for two consecutive semesters
to apply for CPT.
- Students must be in a degree-seeking program.
- It must be a direct requirement of your program, for example
a mandatory internship that is required for all students in your
degree program and be an integral part of your curriculum.
- CPT must be approved through Valencia's Job Placement Office.
You must register for the internship and it will appear on your
transcript.
- Obtain application form from the Job Placement Office and get
signature from Immigration Advisor.
- Obtain a "hire letter" from the employer through Job Placement
Office. This letter states the position title, start and end dates
of employment, number of hours per week and the company name and
address.
- Make an appointment with an Immigration Advisor and bring the
following documents: current SEVIS I-20, hire letter, and copy
of your transcript. At the appointment, documents will be reviewed
for eligiblity. If you are approved, your advisor will authorize
the CPT on your SEVIS I-20.
- After the CPT end date noted on page 3 of your I-20, you must
stop working.
- Remember that CPT runs on a semester-by-semester basis, and
you will need to get new CPT authorization each semester.
If you have any questions about CPT, or any other F-1 immigration
concerns, please contact your immigration advisor.
Optional Practical Training
(OPT) is a temporary employment benefit extended to F-1 students
who have been maintaining status for an academic year. Its purpose
is to give students the opportunity to gain work experience of their
degree and is limited to 12 months total for each degree level in
a field directly related to the student's course of study. For more
details click here.
Economic Hardship
If on-campus employment opportunities are not available or are otherwise
insufficient, an eligible F-1 student may request employment authorization
based on severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances
beyond the student's control. For more details click
here.
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