Working in the United States
General Employment Information
Many international students are interested in employment to help pay for college. Here are some commonly asked questions:
May I work on campus?
- Yes, you may work on-campus, up to 20 hours per week during the academic semester
- Student positions generally earn around $15 per hour, and average less than 10 hours per week
- It generally takes students several months to locate on campus employment and on campus work is not guaranteed
May I work off campus?
- Students in their first year of study in the U.S. may not work off campus
- After their first year of study, students can apply for Practical Training, which may allow them to do off campus paid internships or employment related to their area of study
On-Campus Employment for F-1 Students
International students are eligible to work on-campus part time (up to 20 hours/week) as soon as they have been in the country for at least 10 days. Students in their first year may not work off campus. To be considered on-campus employment, a postiion must be one of the following:
- Work performed on 黑料社's premises.
- Work at an off-campus location that is eduucationally affiliated with 黑料社.
View how to apply as a current student.
On Campus Employers Include:
- Any 黑料社 Jobs Posted (fliter by part-time status and avoid instructor positions)
- 黑料社 Bookstore
- The Landing (Catering and Cafe on the 黑料社 Campus)
- ABC Cleaning Groups (Only Janitorial Services on Campus)
- Green Bay Botanical Gardens
Off-Campus Employment
An opportunity for international students in F-1 status to participate in professional, temporary employment such as an internship, co-op program, practicum or similar situation, which is undertaken prior to the completion of studies. The training must either be a required part OR an integral part of the established curriculum and the student must receive academic credit for the employment that will count toward degree requirements.
Eligibility
To be eligible for Curricular Practical Training, an F-1 student must continue to make reasonable progress toward degree completion, have at least a 2.5 for your grade point average (GPA) for CPT to be approved, AND satisfy one of the following requirements:
- The internship, practicum, or field placement/study is a requirement for the degree program and confer course credit. Student may work for the length of time that the curriculum requires for the degree. Full-time (over 20 hours per week) training is allowed.
- An F-1 student is required to have completed one academic year of studies to qualify under this criterion. The internship, practicum, or field placement/study is an integral part of the degree program and confer course credit, but is not a requirement of the degree program. Part-time (up to 20 hours per week) curricular practical training is allowed during regular semesters under this criteria. Full-time training is allowed only during vacation periods, such as summer vacation.
Application Steps
- Find employment, an internship, or volunteer opportunity that qualifies for CPT. You may find it helpful to speak with the Career Services Office or your Class Internship Coordinator.
- Complete the (you will need to add your employer and deans email address to the form)
- Register for the appropriate course/credits as agreed upon.
- The form must be completed two weeks before your internship is expected to begin.
- Receive the I-20 from International Programs with CPT work authorization.
- If you do not already have a Social Security Number, please include a note that you need the Social Security letter from International Program staff.
NOTE: The International Programs office will review each case submitted and determine the merit of each case. You may choose to speak to a member of International Programs to pre-determine your eligibility before submitting your documents. Please remember that you may NOT engage in practical training until approval is annotated on your I-20.