Economic Hardship

You are eligible to apply for part-time (20 hours per week) or full-time (during the annual vacation only) off-campus employment based upon severe economic hardship if:

  • You are in good academic standing
  • You have been in F 1 status for an academic year, and
  • You are undergoing severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond your control.
These circumstances may include a loss of tuition waiver, loss of on-campus employment, substantial fluctuation in the value of currency or the exchange rate from your home country, unexpected changes in the financial condition of your source of support, medical bills, or other substantial and unexpected expenses.
  • An increase in tuition does not constitute an unforeseen economic need.
  • You may not work over 20 hours per week even in combination with on-campus employment
  • This type of employment requires authorization from the (USCIS) Citizenship and Immigration Services.
  • Applications can take 2 to 3 months for processing by the USCIS Texas Center.
If you believe that you are eligible to apply for off-campus work permission based upon severe economic hardship, please contact the IC for information on how to apply.