ETSU | Severe Economic Hardship

International Enrollment and Services

F-1 students may find that they have suffered economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances and outside of their control. Examples of unforeseen economic hardship include hardship created by unexpected medical or dental bills, sudden changes in currency exchange rates, unexpected financial loss suffered by the student's parent or financial sponsor, unexpected loss of on-campus employment, or related circumstances. Economic hardship that could have been expected or planned for is not considered unforeseen.

If you have unforeseen economic hardship, you may qualify for F-1 severe economic hardship employment authorization. This type of employment authorization allows you to work off-campus, up to a maximum of 20 hours per week while school is in session, for any type of job that will help you to alleviate the financial hardship. This type of employment authorization requires an application to the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) with the recommendation of the Designated School Official (DSO).

  • Eligibility

    Eligibility fort Severe Economic Hardship includes:

    • You must be an F-1 student in good standing and have completed at least one academic year of full-time study.
    • You must be able to maintain full-time enrollment and make normal progress toward your degree objective even while working off-campus.
    • You have a valid, unexpired passport and Form I-20 from ETSU
    • You must be able to provide strong evidence and documentation that demonstrates you have severe economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances
  • Restrictions

    If you are granted Severe Economic Hardship employment, the following restrictions apply:

    • You are restricted to 20 hours per week while school is in session, inclusive of any on-campus jobs (for example, if you have an on-campus job at 15 hours per week, you can work only for an additional 5 hours per week); however, full-time employment over 20 hours per week is permitted during the summer vacation and winter break.
    • The off-campus job(s) you accept do not have to be related to your major, but you may not accept employment until you have been authorized to do so by USCIS via receipt of an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card
    • Employment authorization is typically limited to a maximum of one year at a time or until you complete your program, whichever comes first.
    • This type of employment authorization does not affect your eligibility for curricular practical training or optional practical training
    • Employment authorization is automatically terminated when you graduate from ETSU, transfer to another institution, or violate your F1 status.
  • Application Procedure

    Severe economic hardship requires an application to USCIS that is complex and can take 4-6 months to process. In addition, approval is not guaranteed.

    STEP 1: Schedule an appointment with your DSO to discuss your financial need. Please submit the following well in advance of your requested appointment time:

    • A budget listing expected tuition, fees, and living costs for the upcoming year, as well as confirmed and anticipated financial resources. Note that the amount of need cannot be so significant that you cannot continue your studies - even if you are granted severe economic hardship employment, you must be able to continue full-time studies.
    • Evidence of your economic hardship (i.e. currency devaluation, medical bills, proof of unexpected change in sponsor’s financial situation such as a signed bank letter, etc.)
    • A detailed, descriptive statement explaining the reasons for your economic hardship
    • A letter from your financial sponsor or other relevant documentation verifying the information provided in your statement
       

    If it is determined that you meet the requirements for this type of employment, you will receive a new I-20 with a recommendation for employment based on severe economic hardship.

     

    STEP 2: Mail the application packet to the USCIS. The application packet must include the following:

    • Your new I-20 and recommendation letter for Economic Need from your DSO
    • Photocopies of all I-20s previously issued (even from other institutions)
    • Copy of I-94 record
    • Check or money order made payable to the US Department of Homeland Security in the amount of $520.
    • Completed Form I-765 (PDF) Application for Employment Authorization
    • Form G-1145, in order to receive an e-notification of application receipt from USCIS
    • Two passport photographs
    • Letter of explanation from you, addressed to the USCIS
    • Supporting evidence documenting the unforeseen and unexpected nature of your economic situation (see Step 1 above)
    • Letters of support from your financial sponsor
  • Shipping Instructions

    Direct filing instructions are found on the USCIS Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-765 webpage. 

    You will select Foreign students and scroll down the page until you locate “F-1 seeking off-campus employment due to severe economic hardship.” Use the address listed to submit your application. 

    When mailing your application, be sure to select a shipping mode that will provide a delivery receipt confirmation. You will need to keep the delivery receipt for your records.