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Employment


There are two major categories of employment students may request while they are studying at URI: on-campus and off-campus.

I. On-Campus Employment:

F-1/J-1 students can work on campus for 20 hours a week when the university is in session and 40 hours during vacation or semester break periods.

II. Off-Campus Employment:

Students are allowed to engage in work, training, or experiences that are 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. Employment categories include: Academic Training (AT), Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and Severe Economic Hardship.

Academic Training (J-1 Only):

Academic Training (AT) allows a J-1 student to engage in employment, a URI internship, or co-op experience during or after a student's exchange program ends. The employment must be directly related to their field of study.

For questions and/or individual appointments concerning Academic Training, contact Melissa de Jesus: mdejesus@mail.uri.edu

Curricular Practical Training (F-1 only):

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) allows a lawful F-1 student to engage in "alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education or any other type of required internship or practicum experience in their field of study." A student may choose to receive wages or academic credit for this experience.  CPT MUST be an integral part of the student academic work.

For questions and/or meetings concerning Curricular Practical Training (CPT), contact Amie Limon: amie_limon@mail.uri.edu

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 may be done on or off-campus.  Students MUST obtain from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS, formerly known as INS) before commencing their employment.

For questions and/or Optional Practical Training workshops, contact mdejesus@mail.uri.edu or amie_limon@mail.uri.edu

Severe Economic Hardship (F-1 Only):

Only students whose financial situation has changed unexpectedly and/or beyond their control may apply for Economic Hardship.

University of Rhode Island • Office of International Students & Scholars • International Center • 37 Lower College Road; Kingston, Rhode Island, 02881

News

International Student Orientation

Date: January 20, 2012


Time: 1:00PM to 2:30PM

           Graduate, Undergraduate &
           Exchange Students

Place: International Center
            37 Lower College Road


**IMPORTANT OPT INFO.**
Reporting responsibilities of F-1 International Students while on (OPT)

Spring 2011 OPT workshop schedules are announced.

Host Family Application Download in PDF format