Student Employment

F-1 students who are under South Florida Bible College's sponsorship do not need authorization from International Student Services Department in order to engage in on-campus employment. However, there are some conditions that must be met in order for the student to maintain his or her status, and in order for the College to legally employ an international student.

On-campus employment means that you are paid by South Florida Bible College or work for an affiliated service that operates on-campus, and the work must occur on the South Florida Bible College campus.  You may be employed in a student hourly position or an assistantship, but employment on-campus is limited to no more than 20 hours per week during fall and spring academic semesters.

Students who wish to work off-campus must do so through special authorization and should make an appointment with an international student advisor to discuss this in advance of accepting any employment.

These are the conditions under which a student in F-1 status may work on campus:

• The student must be enrolled full-time during the academic year unless eligible for an exception;

• FALL AND SPRING SEMESTERS:

  • F-1 students may not work more than 20 hours per week during the fall or spring semesters

  • This means you may work 20 hours per week total for all on-campus jobs combined. In other words, you may work one job at 10 hours per week plus another on-campus job at 10 hours per week, but you may not work one job at 15 hours a week plus one job at 10 hours per week as this would equal 25 hours per week total;

• SUMMER AND OTHER BREAKS: Students may work more than 20 hours per week on-campus only during official college breaks of 1-week or longer (Summer break, Thanksgiving break, Winter break, and Spring break).

Students:

• Make sure that you are enrolled full-time and do not work more than 20 hours per week during the fall or spring semester;

• You should not begin working until you have completed the I-9 process with your hiring department;

• If you do not have a Social Security Number (SSN), you will have to apply for one since U.S. federal law requires all individuals employed in the U.S. to have a SSN. SSNs are used to identify employees and tax salaries, and are only issued for the purpose of employment. A SSN is not required to begin employment, but must be obtained immediately after being hired;

• If you do not already have a SSN or you have lost your Social Security Card, have your employer complete the Employer Verification Form and bring it to International Student Services Department for validation;

• If you are completing your degree requirements, you may not work on campus past the end of your final semester. However, you may wish to apply for F-1 Optional Practical Training in order to work after program completion/graduation;

• If you are transferring from South Florida Bible College to another institution and are not completing your degree requirements, it may be possible to continue your on-campus employment for a short time beyond the end of your last semester at SFBC.  Please schedule an appointment with an advisor at International Student Services Department to discuss your options.

Finding an On-Campus Job

You can find open student worker positions by checking the flyers posted in the student lounge. You can also submit a Student Worker Application—if any positions are available that match your qualifications, the HR Manager will reach out to you directly.

SFBC Employers & Departments:

• Make sure that the international student is a full-time F-1 student (verify enrollment in Populi) and do not offer more than 20 hours per week;

• Process the I-9 documentation using the student’s F-1 I-20 document as the proof of their legal ability to accept work on-campus. The I-20 must list South Florida Bible College & Theological Seminary as the student’s institution, and the eligibility for employment expires the same date that is listed as the expected graduation date on the I-20 document (in Program of Study section on page 1 of the F-1 I-20);

• More information about I-9 Verification can be found in the M-274 Handbook for Employers;

  • For I-9 guidance on F-1 students, employers can refer to Section 6.4.2 F-1 and M-1 Nonimmigrant Students.

• The spouses and children of F-1 students (F-2 dependents) are not eligible to work;

All questions regarding on-campus employment for international students may be directed to International Student Services Department, issd@sfbc.edu or 954-637-2294.

Eligibility Criteria

You may be eligible to apply for employment based on severe economic hardship if:

• You have been in F-1 status for one full academic year

• You are in good academic standing and are taking a full course load of study

• The employment will not interfere with your studies

• You can demonstrate that the employment is necessary to avoid severe economic hardship due to unforeseen economic circumstances beyond your control

Documentation Needed to Apply

• A personal statement describing the unforeseen hardship situation and, if possible, attach backup documentation; for example, news articles, a letter from home telling of a change in family circumstances or proof of a currency devaluation in your country, etc;

• Completed Paper Form I-765, using the code (C)(3)(iii) at item 16. Do not date the form until you are ready to send the application to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS);

• Copies of your current and previous I-20s;

• Copy of your current I-94 record;

• Copy of most recent visa stamp or I-797 (approval of change-of-status to F-1), if applicable;

• Copy of your unofficial transcript available from Populi.

How to Apply for Severe Economic Hardship Employment

Since the process for F-1 obtaining employment under Economic Hardship is treated differently, you will need to make an appointment with a International Student Services Department Advisor. This personal advising session will enable the advisor to fully discuss your needs and eligibility for this type of employment.

• Schedule an appointment with an International Student Services Advisor. To make an appointment to discuss Economic Hardship you can set an appointment online here or contact issd@sfbc.edu or 954-637-2294 to request an appointment.

• Bring the documents listed in Documentation Needed to Apply to your appointment.

• The International Student Services Advisor will review your documents.

• The International Student Services Advisor will process a new SEVIS I-20 with a recommendation for Economic Hardship work authorization noted on page 2 of the new I-20.

• The International Student & Scholar Advisor will notify you when your new I-20 is available and send it to you electronically.

• Sign your name on the I-20 immediately.

• Send your request to USCIS. Refer to Submitting Your Severe Economic Hardship Request Application to USCIS below.

If using U.S. Postal Service (USPS):

USCIS

Attn: I-765 C03

P.O. Box 805373

Chicago, IL 60680-5374

If using FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:

USCIS

Attn: I-765 C03 (Box 805373)

131 South Dearborn - 3rd Floor

Chicago, IL 60603-5517