Introduce self first – mention PDSO/ARO roles and what that means so there is context for why we are talking about this today.
What is an F-1 Student?
Nonimmigrant
Pursuing a “full course of study”
To achieve a specific educational or professional objective
At an academic institution designated by the Department of Homeland Security
Enrolled in SEVIS
Basic assumptions from the Code of Federal Regulations: (see 8 C.F.R. § 214.2-4)
Processing CPT F-1 Basics Q & A
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Presentation Notes
This is important to understand because it is the lens through which the Federal Government views all international students’ activities while in the U.S. – including employment opportunities.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
“An eligible student may request employment authorization for practical training in a position that is directly related to his or her major area of study…An F-1 student may be authorized by the DSO to participate in a curricular practical
training program that is an integral part of an established curriculum. Curricular practical training is defined to be alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by
sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.”
What is Curricular Practical Training?
8 C.F.R. § 214.2(f)(10)(i)
Processing CPT F-1 Basics Q & A
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Presentation Notes
This is almost all that is shared about Curricular Practical Training except for when they can do it and when it can be part or full-time – not much to go by!
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
“An eligible student may request employment authorization for practical training in a position that is directly related to his or her major area of study…An F-1 student may be authorized by the DSO to participate in a curricular practical
training program that is an integral part of an established curriculum. Curricular practical training is defined to be alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by
sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.”
What is Curricular Practical Training?
8 C.F.R. § 214.2(f)(10)(i)
Processing CPT F-1 Basics Q & A
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Here is how we interpret this (and this is an industry standard interpretation): “directly related to major” – straightforward in that it must be practical application to what is learned in the classroom curriculum. Cannot be a minor. We look at face validity with this but we don’t know that for each major – that’s why we need your help! “integral part of an established curriculum” – must be required of all students in that major OR students must have internship credits for it. “authorized by the DSO” – this is important because DHS expects us as school officials to make sure the regulations are met with CPT; however, they (USCIS) approve other work authorizations after graduation and can look to see if CPT should have been granted or not when they determine future work authorizations! Students must also have been enrolled full-time (12 credits or more) for one academic year prior to doing CPT. We do all we can to protect the students’ right to work after graduation by not authorizing improper CPT on our end. While we are VERY conservative with making sure these parts are met, we are far less conservative than some schools who will ONLY permit CPT if it is required, and even then for only the minimum requirement. There is chatter regarding increased scrutiny with this, but nothing has shaken out from above as of yet. We are also supposed to have a cooperative agreement with the employers – that is a newer emphasis for the government right now!
Processing CPT Requests
How do Internship Coordinators fit into this?
Processing CPT F-1 Basics Q & A
Internship Coordinator’s Form and
employer letter (for reference)
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For us to approve CPT, the following items must be submitted: Letter from employer detailing the responsibilities they will do and the time-frame in which they will be hired Coordinator’s Form Credit (if not required of all students) ISS office application form
Beginning and Ending Dates
Signature
Full time or Part time
Firm’s Contact Information
Firm’s Name
Date
Nature of Training
Presenter
Presentation Notes
We are required to see all of these greyed-out details as part of the federal guidelines, but from you we really only need verification of the nature of the training Mention that they also need to see the employer’s letter to verify what the responsibilities are; the government doesn’t care who the company is as much as the work that they are doing for that company (i.e. an accounting student could work for McDonalds IF he/she was doing accounting work for them – not food preparation or customer service work). Again – we rely on you as the expert for that major to help us make sure the actual responsibilities are related to what they are learning in the classroom for that major! Beware of companies who just want language skills for sales positions. Think of this as a mentoring experience for the student – not a money-making one (remember – it’s called “training” for a reason).
Presenter
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Point out important aspects
Processing CPT Requests
Internship Coordinator’s Form and
employer letter (for reference)
Internship class/credit(s)
Guidance in finding what fields a major leads to
Help in explaining the WHY to the student
How do Internship Coordinators fit into this?
Processing CPT F-1 Basics Q & A
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Presentation Notes
As mentioned before, CPT has to be “an integral part of an established curriculum” to count, so unless it is required of all students for graduation, they have to have an internship credit for it. This fits in with the need to make it related; remember – your department is giving them academic credit for this, which means on their official transcripts you are verifying that what they did was worthy enough to get school credit for.
Processing CPT Requests
Internship Coordinator’s Form
Letter from employer
Proof of internship class/credit(s)
CPT Application Form (paper or online)
What does the student submit to ISS Office?
Processing CPT F-1 Basics Q & A
Presenter
Presentation Notes
As mentioned before, CPT has to be “an integral part of an established curriculum” to count, so unless it is required of all students for graduation, they have to have an internship credit for it. This fits in with the need to make it related; remember – your department is giving them academic credit for this, which means on their official transcripts you are verifying that what they did was worthy enough to get school credit for.
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Point out important aspects
Questions
Processing CPT F-1 Basics Q & A
Conclusion
Processing CPT F-1 Basics Q & A
You are always welcome to contact us with questions!
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