“Employment” is defined as any work performed or services provided in exchange for money, compensation or other benefits. It does NOT include un-paid internships.

As an F-1 student, you are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week when school is in session. After your first semester, you may meet with the Office of Career Advancement for employment application details. Students working on-campus must apply for reauthorization from ISC before the start of each semester.

You are permitted to apply for on-campus employment provided you:

1. Maintain your status

2. Are in good academic standing with at least a 3.0 GPA

3. Have completed at least one semester at Monroe College

4. Have a good record of attendance

5. Are in good financial standing

6. Have a clean disciplinary record with the college.

All off-campus employment requires prior authorization by the Office of International Student Services and the USCIS (U.S. Customs and Immigration Service). You must meet with an ISS counselor to discuss off-campus employment eligibility in advance. In most cases, you must be in full-time status for one academic year (two full-time semesters) before you are eligible to apply for off-campus employment authorization.

The most common type of employment authorization for F-1 students is an internship. If the internship is paid, it must be authorized and the course must be added to the student’s schedule for the applicable semester.

Post-completion OPT is a one-year work permit that can be applied for during your last semester. The work may not begin until you complete your degree program and receive your authorization card. Pre-completion OPT may begin before you complete your degree, but on a part-time basis. Students should be warned that pre-completion OPT is subtracted from the one-year post-completion OPT.