International Student Employment

Working off-campus is very limited for students in F-1 status. However, there are some guidelines for practical training and severe economic hardship work authorization that students may qualify for which are outlined below. 

Curricular Practical Training gives F-1 students authorization to engage in employment training and to work in paid internship positions related to their field of study. Several academic programs have an internship requirement so students can apply for CPT to fulfill this requirement. CPT is usually part-time. F-1 students in the ESL program are not eligible for CPT. Please contact ISS to check your eligibility for CPT.

F-1 students may request Post-Completion OPT to obtain work in their field of study once per educational level (associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral). Students are allowed 12 months of work during the 14-month period following completion of studies. Employment must be related to the field of study.
Please make an appointment with ISS to check OPT eligibility and discuss application directions. Students should verify their graduation quarter with their advisor before meeting with ISS. View complete information on applying for Optional Practical Training. 

Students in F-1 status who have an unforeseen change in their economic situation, such as substantial fluctuations in the value of currency or exchange rate, unexpected changes in the financial condition of the sponsor, medical bills or other substantial and unexpected expenses, who have maintained status for three consecutive quarters and are in good academic standing, may be eligible for severe economic hardship work authorization. Severe economic hardship work authorization can be potentially issued for a maximum of one year or until the end of a student's studies, whichever comes first.

F-1 students may begin to look for employment, but they may NOT begin working until they receive their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card, which shows their start date. F-1 students may tell a potential employer that they have filed for severe economic hardship and that they are waiting for a response from USCIS. It takes approximately 90 days to receive an EAD card from USCIS, if approved.

Please email iss@mccneb.edu to check your eligibility for SEH. You may access the application instructions for Severe Economic Hardship by clicking on ISS Forms.

To obtain a Social Security number you must be employed. Once you receive a job offer from an employer, you may apply for a Social Security Number to work on campus or for Optional Practical Training or in the case of a financial hardship. Steps for doing so are featured below.

1. Request a letter from your employer on official letterhead that includes:
   • Your full name
   • Your job title
   • Your start date
   • The number of hours you will be working
   • Your supervisor's name
   • Your supervisor's telephone number
     
     The letter needs to be addressed to:
     Social Security Administration
     Old Mill Centre
     604 N 109th Ct
     Omaha, NE 68154
2. Email your letter from your employer as a PDF to ISS at iss@mccneb.edu. Share that you have a job offer and request a letter from a Designated School Official that includes:
   • Your name
   • Your school status
   • Your employer
   • The type of work you will be doing
3. Complete the Application for Social Security Card.
4. Go to the Social Security Administration with your:
   • Letter from your employer
   • Letter from an International Student Services Designated School Official
   • Application for a Social Security Card
   • Passport - not expired
   • Current I-94
   • I-20 from MCC

Go to the Social Security Administration no earlier than the start date of your employment authorization. You will need your:

• Application for Social Security Card
• Passport - not expired
• Current I-94
• I-20 from MCC
• I-766 - work permit/employment authorization card