Stetson students gathering at exposition tables

Off-Campus Student Employment

Another way to satisfy your financial aid requirement is to apply for off-campus employment through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT). These programs allow international students to gain valuable work experience related to their major, build professional skills, and explore potential career paths in the U.S.

CPT Employment

If you want to participate in an off-campus internship (either paid or unpaid), you may be eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT). In order to qualify for CPT, your practical experience must be an integral part of your curriculum. At Stetson, this means that your off-campus internship/practical training must fulfill one of your major or degree requirements. You must complete at least one full academic year of study before you are eligible for CPT.

If you meet the eligibility criteria for CPT, please fill out the following three forms:

Once these forms are completed, please contact WORLD to schedule an appointment to apply for CPT. You cannot begin working until you receive the work authorization from WORLD.

OPT Employment

OPT stands for Optional Practical Training. It is essentially work authorization, allowing you to work for a US employer. Upon graduating, international students qualify for up to 12 months of OPT, assuming they did not use any pre-completion OPT. If you used pre-completion OPT, you will need to subtract it from post-completion OPT (for example, if you used 3 months of pre-completion OPT, you now have 9 months left for post-completion OPT).

If you studied an approved STEM-based major, you may qualify for a 24-month extension. We will first apply for the regular 12 months of OPT. After you have a job and have been working, we can put in a request for the STEM extension 90 days before your OPT runs out. You can see a list of the government-approved STEM majors here: DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List.

To qualify for OPT, you must work at a job directly related to your major. It takes approximately 3 months to get OPT approved, and you will not be allowed to work until you receive your employment authorization card. Many students choose to apply early to start working soon after graduating. You may apply up to 90 days prior to your program end date.

**Note: You do not need a job offer yet to apply. However, once OPT is approved, you must start working within 90 days. You are allowed up to 90 cumulative days of unemployment during your 12 months of OPT. If you exceed 90 days of unemployment, your OPT will end and you will be required to leave the country. 

Steps To Apply For OPT

If you are within 90 days of graduation (or it has been less than 60 days since you graduated) and you would like to apply for OPT, you can start by gathering the following documents:

  • Complete the I-765 form (can be filed online) - Instructions on how to fill out the form.

  • $470 payment (paid online with a credit card)

  • Recent passport photo (photo requirements)

  • A copy of the picture page from your passport

  • Copy of your visa

  • Copy of your I-94 (can be retrieved online at I94 - Official Website)

  • Photocopies of ALL of your I-20s

  • Copy of your job description and offer letter (if available)

  • New I-20 with OPT request (you will need to set up a meeting to get this from WORLD) WORLD will put in a recommendation for OPT and give you an updated I-20 with "OPT requested" remark on page 2. The recommendation is valid for 30 days. You have to submit your application within that timeframe.

  • Proof of enrollment/eligibility: copy of degree audit (at least two semesters, to prove full academic year )

  • Proof of previous CPT or OPT approval email notification of approval - if applicable

  • EAD - if previously received: picture of front and back

**Note: Students who choose to submit paper applications will owe $520

Once you have gathered all of these documents, you can submit your OPT application online: I765 - Official Website   

OPT Status Information 

Once a student is on OPT, there are important regulations to be aware of:

  1. Travel Signature Validity: The travel signature on the I-20 for students on OPT is only valid for 6 months. Students planning to travel should ensure their signature is up-to-date before departing the U.S.

  2. Unemployment Limits: Students on OPT are allowed up to 90 days of unemployment during their 12 months of OPT. Exceeding 90 days of unemployment means the student will be required to leave the country immediately. This underscores the importance of securing employment related to your major while on OPT.

  3. Reporting Employment: Once a student receives and accepts a job offer, they must report the employer information to WORLD. The following details are required to update their record in SEVIS:

    • Employer Name

    • Employer ID Number (EIN)

    • Job Title

    • Start Date

    • End Date

    • Job Description (how the job relates to your major)

    • Hours per week

    • Employer Address

    • Supervisor's First and Last Name

    • Supervisor's Phone Number

    • Supervisor's Email Address

  4. Failure to report this information to WORLD will result in the reduction of your unemployment time allowance, potentially impacting your 90-day period.

  5. Changes in Employment: If a student changes employers during the OPT period, they are required to inform WORLD and provide the updated employer information to ensure their SEVIS record remains accurate.

STEM OPT Status Information 

The STEM OPT Extension allows eligible F-1 students to extend their post-completion OPT by 24 months. To apply, students must request a STEM OPT I-20 from WORLD up to 90 days before their current OPT expiration, and submit the application to USCIS before the expiration date.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Must be in F-1 status and currently on post-completion OPT.
  • Hold a Bachelor's or higher degree in an eligible STEM field.
  • Must have a paid job from an E-Verify enrolled employer, offering at least 20 hours/week and providing formal training linked to your STEM degree.
  • Complete and submit the I-983 Training Plan with your employer.

Application Process:

  1. Request a STEM OPT I-20 from ISSS via WORLD.
  2. Pay the USCIS STEM fee and save the confirmation.
  3. Complete the I-983 form with your employer.
  4. Submit Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) to USCIS after receiving the approved I-20.
  5. USCIS receipt grants automatic 180-day extension of work authorization while waiting for approval.

After Submission:

  • Work authorization is extended for up to 180 days while awaiting USCIS approval.
  • You may change employers, but must report any employment changes within 10 days to WORLD.

Reporting Requirements

  • Address and Employment Validation: Submit updates every 6 months.
  • Self-Evaluation: Submit every 12 months or when changing positions.
  • Employment/Immigration Status Changes: Report any changes to ISSS.

Additional Details:

  • Multiple Employers: Allowed if each employer meets STEM OPT requirements.
  • Start-ups/Self-Employment: May qualify if all requirements are met.
  • Report employers who are non-compliant with STEM OPT rules to DHS.

Other Important Notes:

  • Unemployment Limit: You may have no more than 150 days of unemployment during the entire 36-month OPT period (12 months regular OPT + 24 months STEM OPT).
  • Employment Types:
    • Eligible employment must be paid and directly related to your degree (at least 20 hours/week).
    • Self-employment or part-time work is not allowed.
    • Work through staffing agencies is allowed only if the training directly relates to your STEM degree.
  • Consequences of Non-Compliance: Failing to report required information or exceeding the unemployment limit may result in being out of status, termination of SEVIS records, and negative impacts on future immigration benefits.

SEVP Portal: Students may report employment through the SEVP Portal, but Form I-983 evaluations cannot be uploaded there.

To see if your major qualifies for the STEM extension, check the official list: STEM Designated Degree Program List