Curricular practical training

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

+ Economic Hardship

Office of International Programs 747-5664

www.sa.utep.edu/oip [email protected]

Revised: 12/19/2012

http://www.sa.utep.edu/oip

On-Campus Employment ∗ GRADUATE STUDENTS: Up to 20 hrs per week during semester if

you have an assistantship; 19 if you do not ∗ UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS: Up to 19 hrs per week during

semester

∗ SUMMER / VACATION PERIODS: It is possible to be appointed to work more than 19 or 20 hours / week, but student must be appointed with a special job code

∗ F-3 students – see an OIP advisor about SSN issues

Types of Employment Available Through the F-1 / F-3 Visa

∗ Curricular Practical Training (CPT) ∗ Optional Practical Training (OPT) ∗ Economic Hardship

Types of Employment Available Through the F-1 / F-3 Visa

∗ A type of work authorization for an F-1 / F-3 student ∗ Allows paid training in your field ∗ On-campus or off-campus employment ∗ “Curricular:” it becomes part of your course of study ∗ Must be major-related

Curricular Practical Training: What Is It?

∗ Helps you gain work experience related to the field you are studying

∗ Builds your résumé ∗ Reveals the practical aspects of your field

Curricular Practical Training: Why Participate?

∗ Paid internship(s) ∗ Part-time job ∗ Full-time job ∗ Research opportunity with stipend, housing

allowance (any benefit) ∗ Seasonal work ∗ Short-term job ∗ OR…

Curricular Practical Training: What Forms Can It Take?

…an on-campus job!!! ∗ Why? ∗ You are a part-time commuter student from Mexico ∗ You have an F-3 visa ∗ You want to work on campus in a full-time position

during fall or spring

Curricular Practical Training: What Forms Can It Take?

∗ CPT approval is not required for unpaid internships ∗ However, if you are using the unpaid internship to

maintain your status for a fall or spring semester, you must have a full-time CPT authorization

∗ Not needed for volunteer work

Curricular Practical Training

∗ The US government definition: “An individual who performs hours of service for a public agency for civic, charitable, or humanitarian reasons, without promise, expectation or receipt of compensation for services rendered.” (29 CFR 553.101)

What is Volunteer Work?

∗ In other words, receiving a stipend, housing allowance, free meals, etc. is a benefit

∗ Volunteer work = no services received

Volunteer Work, cont’d…

∗ Part-time CPT: Working 20 hours per week or less

∗ Full-time CPT: Working 21 hours per week or more (no

maximum)

Two Types of CPT:

∗ As UTEP moves toward Tier 1, the CPT policy for graduate students has become more strict

∗ Full-time CPT is limited to two long semesters (fall,

spring) maximum per program

CPT for Graduate Students

∗ No current limit to full-time CPT in summers ∗ No limit to part-time CPT

∗ If you have a job on campus, including an

assistantship, you may not have CPT for another campus position ∗ UTEP HR: No more than 20 hours on campus


∗ If you work on campus, you may only have a part-time CPT for an off-campus position ∗ (unless leaving your on campus job for the

position) ∗ Full-time CPT for an on-campus job is only

permitted when you will be hired in a position that does not have a student job title (for example, if you are hired as a full-time employee of UTEP)


∗ Students who have extended their I-20s may be more scrutinized when submitting CPT

requests ∗ Prepare for questioning ∗ Defend why CPT will not further delay your progress


∗ Co-Op : ∗ Stands for “Cooperative education” ∗ Offered by the Internship Program of the UTEP

University Career Center ∗ Will appear on your class schedule as a 0-credit class

(but is not a class)

∗ CPT: a work authorization required for an F-1 / F-3 student who wants to participate in a Co-op

Definitions: CPT vs. Co-op

∗ An F-1 / F-3 student at UTEP must participate with both University Career Center AND the Office of International Programs

∗ You MUST HAVE both Co-op registration and CPT authorization

∗ MUST have new I-20 to start working

CPT & Co-op:

∗ Cumulative GPA of 2.0 for undergraduates and 3.0 for graduates

∗ Credit hour ranges: 30-90 for undergraduates, 9-24

for graduates (but Univ. Career Center is flexible) ∗ Be a good ambassador for UTEP

Preferred Requirements for Co-op:

∗ Must be IN F-1 / F-3 status

∗ Must have at least one academic year of F-1 / F-3 status

∗ One year of full-time enrollment (unless given permission to enroll part-time)

∗ Must have a declared major (non-degree, general studies and Programa Interamericano

students cannot participate) ∗ Cannot have any holds preventing registration

∗ Must have located a prospective job related to your major

Qualifications for CPT:

∗ Time spent in another visa status prior to F-1 / F-3 status will count towards the 1 year of status required for CPT, as long as the student has been enrolled full-time

Another Visa Status

Job title Job description Salary Requested starting date (and ending date if internship) Hours per week you will work Supervisor’s information & address of employment

STEP 1: Request Job Offer Letter

∗ Create account on JobMine ∗ Upload résumé to JobMine ∗ “Report a Hire” in JobMine ∗ Please be sure that your JobMine account is up-to-

date

STEP 2: Apply for Co-op

Submit job offer letter to University Career Center by uploading to JobMine, e-mailing to [email protected] or submitting in person

The Internship Program/UCC will check your major, GPA & credit hours

If you qualify, the UCC will send Co-op registration

notice to OIP

STEP 2: Co-op Process, cont’d...

mailto:[email protected]

Page 1: List the # of hours per week you expect to work List your REQUESTED start date If it’s an internship / short-term job, list the end date If no end date for the job, we will either use the date

you designate or the last day of finals for the current term: Fall 2013: 12/13/2013 Spring 2014: 05/16/2014 Summer 2014: 08/05/2014

STEP 3: Apply for CPT

∗ Page 1: Show job offer letter to academic advisor Undergraduates: have advisor mark “yes” or “no”

(whether or not your job is major-related) Have advisor sign “Advisor’s Certification” section on

page 1 Graduate students: also need signatures of department

chair, academic dean & the Graduate School

STEP 3: Applying for CPT, cont’d…

∗ Complete Statement of Responsibility

∗ Graduate students ONLY: Attach copy of I-20


∗ Submit a copy of your job offer letter ∗ Write a letter stating:

∗ How proposed employment is related to your studies ∗ How you feel it will benefit your future


∗ Turn in your complete application to OIP ∗ Note: if you are graduate student, the Graduate School

will submit your application directly to our office once it is signed; application must be complete when submitting to Graduate School

∗ Application assigned to advisor for review (allow

5 business days)

∗ OIP will then check for Co-Op notice

STEP 4: OIP Review

∗ Advisor checks to make sure you are “in F-1 / F-3 status”

∗ Advisor checks for any holds that prevent you

from class registration ∗ Advisor checks that you meet CPT requirements ∗ Advisor checks for previous CPT granted

STEP 4: OIP Review

∗ Full-time CPT can affect your OPT eligibility ∗ Full-time CPT is counted over length of

program (add total days of authorization)

∗ 12+ months of FT CPT make a student ineligible for OPT at the same level of study

CPT / OPT Rule:

∗ If student meets requirements, a new I-20 is generated, listing approved job and dates on page 3

∗ OIP will ask University Career Center to register you in Co-op (will appear on your schedule in Goldmine)

∗ If student does not meet requirements, the

application is denied

STEP 5: OIP Decision

∗ CPT is granted per semester

∗ In your graduating semester, last possible day of CPT is last day of finals

∗ You may request to extend your CPT if you wish to continue with the same job & employer

STEP 5: OIP Decision

∗ Undergraduates: ∗ Internship Program / Univ. Career Center: 3 business

days ∗ OIP Decision: 5 business days (1 week)

∗ Average time from application start date: 1.5 weeks

Average CPT Processing Time

∗ Graduate Students: ∗ Internship Program / Univ. Career Center: 3 business

days ∗ Graduate School: 3-5 business days ∗ OIP Process: 5 business days (1 week)

∗ Average time from application start date: 2.5 weeks

Average CPT Processing Time

What does CPT authorization look like?

What does CPT authorization look like?

∗ Student must start using new I-20

∗ Copy must be submitted to employer for proof of employment authorization

∗ Need a social security number to be paid

Once Co-op & CPT Authorization Have Been Granted:

∗ You must notify OIP of any changes prior to the change (job site, change in hours per week, position)

∗ If you are promoted, it’s a new job and you must

reapply for CPT ∗ Do not work before or after your authorized

dates (illegal employment – 5 year bar to U.S.)

While on CPT:

∗ Part-time CPT: ∗ Undergrads: 12 hours per semester ∗ Graduates: 9 hours OR thesis / dissertation ∗ ATCP, certificate programs: 9 hours ∗ Part-time Border Commuters: one academic class ∗ Summer: if took spring courses & returning for fall, no

classes required

F-1 / F-3 Status During CPT

∗ Full-time CPT:

If the CPT begins no later than Census Day AND if it lasts the entire rest of the semester, most students have the option to SKIP classes for one semester

In the next regular semester, must take at least the minimum # of hours for your degree level (12/ 9/ thesis / dissertation / PT BC 1 academic class)

F-1 / F-3 Status During CPT

∗ Even if you skip classes for one semester and do ONLY full-time CPT, you will be automatically billed for UTEP student health insurance because of the Co-Op course enrollment ∗ (exception: Texas Higher Education Coordinating

Board rules say Mexican students are exempt)

Students on Full-time CPT

∗ Must be same job & same company ∗ Submit “CPT Renewal Application” ∗ Attach copy of job offer letter (may need new letter)

∗ Complete “Report Hire” process with Univ. Career

Center (and give them same job offer letter you brought to OIP)

Extending CPT: Undergraduates

∗ Must be same job & same company ∗ Submit “CPT Renewal Application” ∗ Attach copy of job offer letter (may need new letter)

∗ Attach copy of current I-20

∗ Complete “Report Hire” process with Univ. Career Center

(and give them same job offer letter you brought to OIP) ∗ Grad students must obtain all 4 signatures on renewal

application

Extending CPT: Graduates

∗ If you work without CPT permission, either prior to your first CPT authorization or prior to a renewal, your immigration status / I-20 may be terminated

∗ Most students who make this mistake do so when in the process of extending / renewing a CPT

∗ DO NOT MAKE THIS MISTAKE!!! The costs are HIGH!!!

Working Without CPT Authorization:

∗ Loss of immigration status

∗ Loss of off campus employment eligibility for one academic year

∗ SEVIS termination / employment violation on your immigration record

∗ Risk to eligibility of future immigration benefits (i.e. not being granted a work visa, residency, etc.)

∗ Loss of experience & income because you cannot accept / return to the job

What are the Costs?

∗ It is possible to have more than one CPT authorization at a time (following the rules previously mentioned)

∗ You can apply for CPT multiple times

∗ You can end a CPT early

∗ You cannot use CPT after you complete your degree requirements

∗ If you transfer schools, your CPT authorization (and all other employment) ends

Other CPT Information:

∗ Type of off-campus employment authorization

∗ Must be result of economic difficulties outside student’s control

∗ Must be in F-1 / F-3 status for a year to qualify

∗ Cannot work on-campus at same time

Economic Hardship

∗ Granted for 1 year

∗ Does not require major-related employment

∗ Can be renewed

∗ Can only use for 20 hrs / week during term

∗ Can use full-time during breaks

Economic Hardship

∗ Write a statement describing hardship ∗ Include back-up documentation

∗ State why other employment options insufficient

∗ Complete I-765 application for employment, submit

photos, complete fee waiver application ($290)

∗ Wait for result (2-3 months…)

Applying for Economic Hardship

∗ Most students benefit more from combination of CPT and on-campus employment because:

∗ CPT processing is faster

∗ Don’t have to quit on-campus job in most cases

∗ Can be hard to get approval for economic hardship

authorization

CPT vs. Economic Hardship

1. What is Curricular Practical Training (CPT)?

a. Work authorization for US citizen b. Work authorization for an international student

with F-1 / F-3 visa c. Work authorization only for international students

from Mexico

CPT Quiz

b. Work authorization for an international student with F-1

/ F-3 visa

Answer #1:

2. When can a student legally work outside the campus?

a. With a CPT authorization, at the approved job b. With a CPT authorization and with any other job

they want c. When it’s a volunteer position d. Anytime they want to e. Answers a & c

CPT Quiz

e. Answers a & c (This is kind of a trick question,

because volunteering is not “working”)

Answer #2:

3. When can a student work more than 20 hours a week on CPT?

a. Only when the student has an F-1 visa b. Whenever their employer asks them to c. When they have a part-time CPT

authorization d. When they have a full-time CPT authorization

CPT Quiz

d. When they have a full-time CPT authorization

Answer #3:

4. Where do I apply for the Co-Op program? a. Office of International Programs b. Office of Admissions c. University Career Center d. Pizza Hut restaurant e. Social Security Administration

CPT Quiz

c. University Career Center

Answer #4:

5. Which of the following students are eligible for CPT? a. New international student b. Student with undeclared major c. A student who graduated last semester d. A current international student who has been in

status for 2 years

CPT Quiz

d. A current international student who has been in status for 2 years

Exception: a student in ATCP is eligible from the first

semester b/c working is required for the certificate

Answer #5:

6. Which of the following students would not be eligible for OPT?

a. A student who works 13 months of full-time CPT b. A student who works 15 months of part-time CPT c. A student who works 9 months of full-time CPT

CPT Quiz

a. A student who works 13 months of full-time CPT

Answer #6:

7. The next thing a student should do after giving the job offer letter to Univ. Career Center and reporting a hire in JobMine is:

a. Apply for CPT with OIP b. Start working c. Attend new employee orientation d. Create a JobMine account

CPT Quiz

a. Apply for CPT with OIP

Answer #7:

8. To extend a CPT work authorization, a student must: a. Talk to their academic advisor b. Give new job offer letter to Univ. Career Center & continue

working c. Submit “CPT Renewal Application” to OIP and continue

working d. Submit the “CPT Renewal Application” to OIP, contact Univ.

Career Center, wait for approval from both offices, then resume / continue employment

CPT Quiz

d. Submit the “CPT Renewal Application” to OIP, contact Univ. Career Center, wait for approval from both offices, then resume / continue employment

Answer #8:

Make sure that your name is on the sign-in sheet before you go!

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

Questions???

UTEP Office of International Programs Last modified: 7/9/2013

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