F1 Employment

On-campus employment is defined as employment on the university's premises.  F-1 students who are maintaining their status may work beginning with their first term. Some important facts to know:

1. USCIS approval is NOT required for on-campus employment if the F-1 student is maintaining F-1 status.
2. On-campus authorization is approved by the PDSO/DSO.
3. 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 Thompson Hospitality).
4. On-campus employment is limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session. Students can work full-time during vacation periods.
5. Student must be pursuing a full course of study, or, if employed during annual vacation, intend to register for the next academic term at MSU.
6. Employment may begin no sooner than 30 days prior to the start of classes for new students with initial entry to a new program.
7. 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 school.
8. F-1 student who is maintaining status is eligible to work on-campus until the end date on Form I-20 unless the student graduates before that date at which point employment is terminated.
9. Students are subject to federal and state taxes and exempt from Social Security and Medicare taxes. For more information on taxes, please consult a tax authority.

Students CANNOT legally work off-campus in the USA without active CPT approval from a DSO in the Office of International Students and Scholars Services.

CPT follows federal regulations and Morgan State University internal policy. The following guidelines apply to all Morgan State University international students, and ensure that students can take advantage of opportunities that are appropriate to their academic program while protecting their F-1 status.

• Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is defined as employment which is an “integral part of an established curriculum”, including: alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum or important related work experience.
• As per federal regulations, CPT is a benefit extended to F-1 students only, and does require by a DSO (Designated School Official of the Department of Homeland Security at Morgan), prior to authorization. CPT can only be granted after a student has been lawfully enrolled on a full-time
  basis.

• New undergraduate students can start after one academic year (after completion of two semesters).
• Transfer undergraduate student from another university or community college in the USA: After the completion of one semester.
• Newly arrived graduate students: After completion of the first semester.
• Graduate students who completed their undergraduate degree at Morgan: Can start CPT from the first semester in the graduate program.

CPT must be part time (20 hours or less per week) during the Fall semester and Spring Semester. Students may work full time (more than 20 hours per week) under the following exceptions:

• Summer sessions
• Holidays and school breaks
• You have completed all of your coursework and only working on your Master’s Thesis or Doctoral Dissertation research.
• Use of 12 months or more of full-time CPT will prohibit the student from applying for OPT (Post completion optional practical training).
• Use of part-time CPT does not affect OPT eligibility.

*Summer CPT requires summer enrollment.
*CPT employment may not delay completion of the academic program.

Students can be employed on-campus and participate in CPT off campus at the same time, provided they adhere to regulations for employment

• Students with academic appointments (GA,TA, RA) MAY NOT work more than 20 hours a week during the Fall and Spring semesters. If you are doing 10 hours a week on campus as a TA, you may only work 10 hours on CPT off campus.

An application for CPT authorization should be submitted to OISS at least 2 weeks prior to the anticipated start date of employment.

• Step 1: Meet with your academic advisor to inquire about your academic eligibility.
• Step 2: Once you have obtained the position, request an job/internship offer letter from the employer (on company letterhead).
  The letter must include:
  1. Your name
  2. The start date and end date of the internship (Keep in mind that CPT can only be authorized one semester at a time.)
  3. Position title
  4. Employment site address (street, city, state, and zip code).
  5. The number of hours to be worked per week
•  Step 3: Submit Morgan’s CPT request forms which include:
  1. CPT Application form
  2. Academic Advisor/Chair Support Letter form
  3. Learning Agreements form
  4. Job/Internship Offer Letter

• Normal processing time of a CPT request is five business days from the date OISS receives your completed forms.
• Once CPT has been approved, you will receive a confirmation mail, with an attached, digitally signed Form I-20.
• You may not begin employment until you receive the new CPT I-20.

If you have more in-depth questions about CPT, contact your DSO

(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.

Documents needed to apply: (make an appointment with PDSO/DSO)

1. Complete I-765 Form
2. 2 passport photos
3. Copy of passport ID page
4. Copy of visa page
5. Copy (front and back) of I-94
6. Check for $340.00 made payable to USCIS
7. You will need to select a start date for your OPT. This start date must be within 60 days of your program completion date.
8. Endorsed (by PDSO/DSO) recommendation of OPT on page three of a newly generated SEVIS I-20.
9. While your application is pending, you should NOT travel outside of the United States. This may be considered abandoning the application. If you must travel for emergency purposes before your OPT is approved, please contact PDSO/DSO to discuss this before leaving the U.S.