Employment
There are two major categories of employment students can have while they are studying at URI: on campus and off-campus.
On Campus Employment:
F-1/J-1 students can work on campus for 20 hours a week when the university of in session and 40 hours during vacation or semester break periods.
Off-campus Employment:
Students are allowed to engage in work, training or experience that is directly related to their field of study. Employment may be paid or unpaid, full-time or part-time, before or after completing the course of study. It includes Curricular Practical Training/CPT, Optional Practical Training/OPT, and Academic Training/AT.
Definition of Curricular Practical Training (F-1 only):
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an integral part of an established curriculum. It allows a lawful F-1 student to engage in Òalternate work/study, internship, cooperative education or any other type of required internship or practicum experience in their field of study.Ó A student may choose to receive wages or academic credit for this experience.
Definition of Optional Practical Training (F-1 Only):
Optional Practical Training (OPT), allows F-1 students to gain a maximum of 12 months of practical experience directly related to their field of study. It is off-campus employment. Students require permission from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS, formerly known as INS).
Definition of Economic Hardship (F-1 Only):
Only students whose financial situation has changed unexpectedly and/or beyond their control may apply for Economic Hardship.
Definition of Academic Training (J-1 Only):
Academic training (AT) allows a J-1 student to engage in employment or a URI internship or co-op experience during or after a studentÕs exchange program ends. The employment must be directly related to the field studied.
