Embedded Files
Federal definition:
Federal definition:
F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is defined as:
F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is defined as:
“employment which is an integral part of an established curriculum, including: ‘…internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.'
“employment which is an integral part of an established curriculum, including: ‘…internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.'
Would you like to get an internship off-campus? CPT is a type of work authorization for F-1 students to use during their degree program after they have been in the U.S. at least 1 academic year.
Would you like to get an internship off-campus? CPT is a type of work authorization for F-1 students to use during their degree program after they have been in the U.S. at least 1 academic year.
In Brief
In Brief
CPT is designed for internships/practicums and work that is required by a program or fulfills a degree requirement.
Work or volunteering using CPT must be directly related to the student’s major.
CPT is regulated at the federal level, and each school applies the laws and guidance to their specific programs.
CPT applications are submitted to the OISVS and are free. The processing time once all documents have been received is usually between 2-4 business days.
It is important to plan carefully to use the maximum benefit while remaining within the federal guidelines. Visit with the staff in the international office to strategize at least 1 semester before you hope to apply for this benefit.
gg
gg
CPT is available only prior to the completion of the student’s degree program and may not delay the completion of the academic program.
CPT is generally authorized within the semester dates.
CPT is limited to part-time (less than 20 hours/week) during the Fall/Spring while a student enrolls full-time.
CPT can be authorized for full-time work in the summers between semesters.
If the amount of full-time CPT authorized exceeds more than 12 months, the student will not be eligible for Optional Practical Training.
Types of CPT
Types of CPT
Required: When the academic program lists an internship experience as a graduation requirement in the catalog, course credit is not required.
Non-required: When the course requiring the work experience is an elective and not required of all graduates in the program, students must enroll in an internship course which will meet a degree requirement to be eligible for CPT.
Who is Eligible
Who is Eligible
Students who:
Students who:
- Have completed at least one academic year in valid F-1 status (with the exception of graduate programs requiring immediate participation);
- Are making good academic progress toward their degree. This means:
At least a 2.0 cumulative GPA at the time of application, and
Not be a candidate for academic suspension.
Note: Any CPT that is authorized for a future semester will be canceled if students are suspended from the university for any reason.
- Have an internship offer that is acceptable to the internship director with a cooperating employer (who will acknowledge the cooperation and respond to the internship director's inquiries)
- Enroll in the internship course in the same semester as the internship
- Submit a timely application
- Have not worked illegally prior to the application
Note: Students are strongly encouraged to discuss their CPT plans with the immigration advisor in the OISVS office at least one semester before they hope to begin to ensure that their plans fit within the federal regulations and ACU’s CPT policies.
How to Apply
How to Apply
STEP 1
STEP 1
Receive an offer of employment that meets the following requirements:
-for work directly related to your declared major at ACU;
-from an employer who will cooperate with the internship director to fulfill the requirements of the course. This often involves completing a survey on your performance or answering email from the internship director. The employer must be willing to acknowledge this cooperation in either their offer letter or the form linked below.
STEP 2
STEP 2
Gain approval for the employment from the internship director and enroll in the internship course for the semester of the internship.
STEP 3
STEP 3
Ensure your offer letter includes the following information:
Name and address of the employer
Your title and the goals and objectives of the internship
Dates of the internship offer
Physical location of your work
Supervisor’s name and contact information
A statement from the employer that they will cooperating with the school to achieve the curricular objectives of the employment/training
STEP 4
STEP 4
Get your most recent I-94 from The I-94 website.
STEP 5
STEP 5
Prepare an electronic copy of your valid passport identification page
STEP 6
STEP 6
Submit the CPT Request and Agreement form and upload your documents from Steps 3, 4 and 5.
STEP 7
STEP 7
Complete the verification form which comes to your email from Adobe.
STEP 8
STEP 8
After you’re notified, pick up your new I-20 with the CPT authorized. This is the only work authorization document for CPT.
Outcomes
Outcomes
Students approved for CPT will receive an I-20 notated with the CPT authorization and specific employer and location on page 2.
Employers can refer to The Handbook for Employers, USCIS publication M-274 revision 1/22/17, page 58 for information on employment authorization verification that is acceptable for the I-9 documentation.
Students who are nonresidents for tax purposes can request their employers to not withhold FICA and Medicare taxes. See this IRS resource for more information.
All CPT recipients must:
Report any changes in personal address to the OISVS within 10 days of moving.
Work only for the employer listed on the I-20 within the specified dates
Notify the OISVS if anything changes with the authorized employment or your internship course.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I still need CPT authorization if I’m volunteering at a non-profit?
Do I still need CPT authorization if I’m volunteering at a non-profit?
While we generally recommend CPT for any internship to protect your future, you can complete this checklist and meet with Lucy Dawson in the OISVS to discuss your circumstances.
How many times can I get CPT authorization?
How many times can I get CPT authorization?
You can receive CPT authorization once for each internship course that applies to a degree requirement. If your program requires multiple practicums or internships, you can receive CPT authorization for each of the required segments.
Can I work without pay at my relative’s firm?
Can I work without pay at my relative’s firm?
For-profit businesses must follow the rules from the U.S. Department of Labor to have unpaid interns. See Fact Sheet #71 for details here. But even if your position would meet these tests, the OISVS recommends you apply for and receive CPT authorization to protect your status and have the availability to work for pay in the authorized position, should the opportunity arise.
Page updated
Report abuse