Special Student Relief

1. Work on-campus more than 20 hours/week while school is in session, or
2. Work off-campus more than 20 hours/week while school is in session
3. Take a minimum courseload of 3 credit hours (graduate students) or 6 credit hours (undergraduates) IF THEY HAVE PERMISSION TO WORK MORE THAN 20 HOURS PER WEEK WHILE SCHOOL IS IN SESSION.

Eligibility:

• Student's means of financial support must be from Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, or Korea, as reflected on the I-20
• Students must demonstrate severe economic hardship due to current economic crisis in these countries
• Students must have been in F-1 status and been engaged in studies as of June 10, 1998
• Students must currently be in status and carrying a full course of study

PROCEDURES:

FOR WORKING ON CAMPUS MORE THAN 20 HRS/WEEK WHILE SCHOOL IS IN SESSION:

• Bring your I-20 to ISSS; your source of funding must indicate that it is from one of the countries mentioned above.
• Bring in your passport with your visa stamp
• Bring in documentation of your severe economic hardship (e.g. bank statement, an explanation of why you have to work more hours)

What ISSS will do:

• Notate page 4 of your I-20 for Special Student Relief, employment more than 20 hrs/week while school is in session, date and sign it.

FOR WORKING OFF-CAMPUS MORE THAN 20HRS/WEEK WHILE SCHOOL IS IN SESSION: What You Must Do:

• Bring in your passport with the visa stamp page.
• Bring in your I-20 showing that your source of funding is from one of the countries listed above.
• Complete Form I-765
• Bring in a check for the $340, made payable to Department of Homeland Security
• Bring in 2 photos (see examples)
• Bring in documentation of your severe economic hardship (e.g. bank statement, explanation of your need to work more hours)

What ISSS will do:

• Notate your I-20 for Special Student Relief
• Check your application
• Mail it to USCIS for you.

**Note: Students can apply for Special Student Relief for up to one year, or until the graduation date on your I-20, whichever is earlier.

APPLYING FOR A REDUCED COURSE LOAD:

• You must have been approved for work permission for more than 20hrs/week during school for you to qualify for a reduced course load and still be considered to be maintaining your student status.

To Apply:

• Apply for work permission for more than 20hrs/week while school is in session, either on-campus or off-campus.
• Once you have been approved, apply to ISSS for permission to take a reduced course load.

What ISSS will do:

• Authorize a Reduced Course Load in your SEVIS F-1 record