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.
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.
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.
Economic Hardship is an immigration term that refers to a specific definition for the need to work. Under F-1 student visa regulations, the meaning of this term includes such criteria as “a severe and unforeseen circumstance” which results in a demonstrated need for employment.
For example, such circumstance could be a devaluation of your home country’s currency (usually more than 25%) against the U.S. dollar. To prove the economic impact, you would have to show that your family or government was sponsoring you, and that because of the devaluation of your currency, an insufficient amount of funding is now available to you to pay for your studies and living expenses. You must show a loss of your personal source of financial support for your studies and living expenses.
In addition, there are certain time-related issues for eligibility. F-1 students are generally not eligible to apply for Economic Hardship in their first year of study.
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
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.
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.
Once you have requested a Severe Economic Hardship Employment recommendation and received your new I-20 from the International Student Services Department, you will need to prepare and submit the following list of items to USCIS:
Form I-765 (paper form only – online filing not available for Economic Hardship) using the code (C)(3)(iii) at item 16;
Current application fee (check or money order made out to US Department of Homeland Security);
Two full-face passport style photos. Photos must meet frontal passport specifications and should be on a white background taken no earlier than 30 days prior to submitting your application;
Put photos in an envelope. You should attach the fee and the photo envelope on top of the entire application (on the upper left-hand corner). Please do not staple the fee and the photos;
A copy of the new I-20 with Economic Hardship employment recommendation;
Copies of your previous I-20(s);
Copy of your current I-94 record;
Copy of your passport page showing your biographical information and the expiration date;
Copy of your most recent F-1 visa stamp or I-797 (approval of change-of-status to F-1), if applicable;
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.
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
If the application is approved, USCIS will issue an EAD (Employment Authorization Document) to you. If the application is denied, you will be notified by USCIS in writing.
You may not begin off-campus employment until you have received the EAD and the dates are valid.
Economic Hardship Authorization is granted in one-year intervals up to the expected date of completion of studies.
For the duration of the EAD Card, those with Economic Hardship Authorization may work part-time while school is in session (20 hours per week or less), which must be balanced with any on-campus work, meaning that on-campus work and off-campus work under economic hardship cannot combine to exceed 20 hours of work per week during Fall and Spring semesters.
Those with Economic Hardship Authorization may work full-time during official college breaks of 1 week or longer (Spring Break, Summer Break, and Winter Break).