Current International Students
FAQ: On-Campus Employment
Can F-1 students hold on-campus employment?
- Yes, an F-1 international student, with authorization by your campus DSO, can work on-campus as a student employee.
All employment must be authorized first by your DSO. It is your responsibility to know and
understand the regulations and requirements pertaining to employment as an international
student working in the United States.
How many hours can F-1 students work per week with on-campus employment?
- If you participate in on-campus employment, you may not work more than 20 hours per week when school is in session (fall and spring terms).
- Students can work on-campus, full-time (40 hours per week) during official school breaks (summer, winter, spring) and annual vacation.
- Review the Academic Calendar to determine how many hours you may work per week.
How do I apply for on-campus employment?
- On-campus student job openings are regularly posted online by Bismarck State College offices and departments as they are available.
What do I do once I receive an on-campus job offer?
- You will present your job offer letter to your DSO to obtain an authorization letter.
What happens after I am authorized by my DSO to work on-campus?
- Before you can begin working, you must apply for a Social Security Number (SSN). All students who wish to work on campus must have a valid Social Security Number.
What is needed to apply for a Social Security Number?
- Review the International Student SSN Checklist for specific requirements.
Can M-1 students hold on-campus employment?
- No, M-1 students are not eligible for employment during their program of study. However, they may obtain authorization for practical training employment.
- You may participate in practical training employment after the completion of your vocational program.
FAQ: Volunteering
What are Volunteer Labor Rules?
Employment
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
General student eligibility guidance for curricular practical training, internship, or cooperative
training includes:
- CPT must be integrated into the declared plan of study, per the respective academiccatalog, as a credit bearing course(s)
- Student must be enrolled in the particular CPT course(s) during the term CPT completion is anticipated
- CPT can be repeated throughout the plan of study
- For instance, Merlin can complete CPT his second-year fall and second year spring semester, pending approval.
- Student must receive signed CPT authorization from the respective academic advisor, assistant dean, or dean within the declared program before DSO can approve CPT.
FAQ
What is curricular practical training (CPT)?
- “A training program that is an integral part of the student’s program established curriculum. Defined to be an alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.” (8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)-(12)).
How do I qualify for CPT?
- Your DSO can authorize CPT for students who...
- Have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for at least a full academic year.
- Are not studying English as a second language.
- Have secured a training position.
- The training must be a credit-bearing course that is an integral part of the program curriculum/degree plan.
- Is in good academic standing
How many hours can I work CPT per week?
- If you participate in CPT, you may not work full time (more than 20 hours per week)when school is in session.
- Part-Time: 20 hours or less per week.
- Students can work CPT, full-time (more than 20 hours per week) during official school breaks (summer, winter, spring) and annual vacation.
- Review the Academic Calendar to determine how many hours you may work per week.
How do I get authorized for CPT?
- Complete CPT Student Request Form
- Provide a job offer letter from your specific employer. The employer’s letter must:
- Be on company letterhead and include employer information
- Name of employer
- Physical Address
- Direct CPT supervisor
- Contact information
- Signature
- Include a job description indicating job title and summary of duties
- Include the exact start and end date of your employment, including hiring date
- Indicate the number of hours per week of employment
- Include student contact information
- • Student Full Name
- • Student Legal Address
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
General student eligibility guidance for optional practical training includes:
- Student must be “lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis in a service-approved college, university, conservatory, or seminary for one full academic year” to qualify for pre-completion OPT. Reference - (8 CFR 214.2(f)(11)(ii)).
FAQ
What is optional practical training (OPT)?
- F-1 students may be eligible to work in the United States through one of the optional practical training types. These types include pre-OPT and post-OPT.
How do I qualify for OPT?
- Students generally request OPT following completion of their course of study, otherwise considered post-completion OPT.
- Students are limited to 12 months of OPT at the same educational level, but become eligible for another 12 months after moving to a higher educational level. All work completed must be “directly related to the student’s major area of study.” Reference - (8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)).
- “A student must have a recommendation from their DSO in order to apply for OPT.” (8. CFR 214.2 (f)(11)(ii)).
How do I obtain DSO recommendation?
- Student must provide DSO ... (8 CFR 214.2(f)(11)(ii)(B))
- Completed OPT Student Request Form
- Employment status (Full-time or part-time)
- Employment dates (including start and end dates
- A job offer is not a required element of the DSO's recommendation for standard OPT
- DSO makes recommendation through SEVIS
- DSO “must ensure that the student is eligible for the given type and period of OPT and that the student is aware of his or her responsibilities for maintaining status while on OPT.” (8 CFR 214.2 (f)(11)(ii)(A)).
What are my responsibilities?
- Student must apply for a work permit with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) Office
- Student will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) if/when approved by USCIS indicating when employment may begin
- Student must report “any change of name or address, or interruption of such employment to the DSO for the duration of the authorized training” (8 CFR 214.2(f)(12)(i)) through completion of OPT Reporting Form.
- Student may also choose to report these changes directly through the SEVP Portal, which automatically updates SEVIS.
What happens if I become unemployed?
- “During post-completion OPT, F-1 status is dependent upon employment.” (8 CFR 214.2 (F)(10)(ii)€)
- During standard post completion OPT, a student may not be unemployed for an aggregate of more than 90 days.
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can terminate the SEVIS record of students it determines have exceeded the 90-day limit on unemployment.
What is the timeline for OPT?
Travel Coordination
Travel Endorsements
- Your School DSO must sign your Form I-20 for travel endorsements if you intend to leave and seek reentry into the U.S. If you intend to leave during your academic study such as a semester break, ensure you notify your school DSO and schedule an appointment.
- Travel endorsements must be requested within one week of travel
- Your Form I-20 must be signed within one year of your expected return to campus. Your DSO signature is valid for one year upon reentry for F-1 students.
FAQ: Immigration Documentation
Form I-20
What is a Form I-20?
- A Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status” is issued by your DSO. When first issued in initial status, your Form I-20 shows your primary purpose entering the United States is to engage in a full course of study. Students are required to sign and date on the first page.
- If under the age of 18, a legal parent or guardian must also sign.
What do I do with my Form I-20 when I receive it?
- Your signature on your I-20 means you understand the rules and regulations outlined on Page 3 of your I-20.
- If you have not closely read the rules and regulations, it is strongly recommended you review them to ensure you understand your responsibilities to be in good standing or ‘in-status’ as student with a SEVIS record.
What information does my Form I-20 show?
- SEVIS ID # & Form Issue Reason
- Student Information
- School Information
- Program Start & End Dates
- (the expected duration of your program)
- Degree level and Major
- Means of financial support
- DSO signature
- Student Signature
Passport
What is a passport?
- Your passport is your document for traveling internationally. This is not the same as a visa.
Does my passport expire?
- Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States.
How do I renew my passport?
- You must contact your local embassy or consulate for instructions to renew your passport.
- Contacting local embassy does not apply to Canadian students.
Visa
What is a Visa?
- Your Visa shows that you have permission to enter/re-enter the U.S. in F-1 or M-1 status
- May be single or multiple entry
What does my Visa NOT do?
- Does not reflect whether you are currently ‘in status’ to remain in the United States with your SEVIS record.
What happens to my Visa if I am not ‘in status’?
- Your visa could still show you are eligible to be in the US, however if you fall out of status with BSC by not meeting your requirements, your SEVIS record/I-20 will be terminated.
- Your visa is no longer eligible at the point of termination as it is connected to your SEVIS record/ I-20.
Form I-94
What is a Form I-94?
- Your Form I-94 acts as your official entry and exit record from ports of entry to the United States.
How is a Form I-94 issued?
- A Form I-94 is issued electronically by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) either online or via CBP GO mobile app.
What is a Form I-94 used for?
- A Form I-94 is needed to apply for a Social Security Number, completing work authorization, and obtaining a driver’s license.
Form I-901
What is a Form I-901?
- A Form I-901 is the payment form to complete the I-901 SEVIS Fee.
Where can I complete Form I-901?
- You may visit the Department of Homeland Security’s fee processing website. Here you can complete a Form I-901, remit payment, and check your status.
Preparing To Enter the United States
- Tell the (Customs and Border Protection) CBP officer you are accepted to Bismarck State College and entering on a F-1 or M-1 student status (dependent on classification on Form I-20)
- Student should be prepared to present to a CPB official:
- Printed, paper copy Form I-20
- Reminder to sign and date pg. 1. If under 18 years of age, a parent/guardian must also sign.
- Receipt of Form I-901 fee
- Ensure to pay prior to arriving at a Port of Entry (POE).
- Passport
- Student Visa (issued from a U.S. consular office)
- **Not required if your country of citizenship is Canada. **
- Financial documents with personal funds.
- **Including BSC Declaration of Finance Form. **
- Access I-94
- CBP no longer stamps or prints paper copies of I94 card.
- Students can access I94 information digitally.
Taxes
All international students must file the Form 8843 tax form, with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS),
even if they do not earn income.
Employed Students
If authorized for employment by your Designated School Official, you are legally required to file a tax
return if you earned income in the U.S. the previous year. Please be aware, if you are considered a
nonresident in the United States, you may be subject to 1042 tax withholding. Taxable income occurs
when scholarships and waivers awarded are more than tuition, fees, and required books. All excess
awards over the required charges are deemed taxable by the United States Internal Revenue Service.
1042 tax amounts are determined on your account each semester. If an amount of 1042 tax applies to
you, a charge will be placed on your Campus Connection Student Account and a detailed email will be
sent out as well.
Bismarck State College acts solely as the withholding agent. It is not the practice or policy of Bismarck
State College to provide tax advice. You should consult your tax professional concerning your situation.
The BSC International Admissions Office staff are not trained to assist students with tax filing.
References, Resources & Forms’
Form(s)
- I - 20 Extension
- International Student SSN Checklist
- I - 94
- I-765
- I-901
- 8843 Tax Form
Travel
Employment
North Dakota
Medical Insurance
According to NDUS Policy 505, purchasing international student health insurance is required for all
international students other than those from Canada or Norway. All international students will be
required to enroll in the NDUS Student Health Insurance Plan administered by UnitedHealthcare
StudentResources (UHCSR) and will receive information from UHCSR regarding enrollment. Students can
find enrollment information, an explanation of benefits, and complete several waivers through ECI Services.
Student Health Insurance premiums are due no later than the 6th week of the regular semester. The
charge will be placed on the student account prior to semester start. Students who fail to meet the
payment deadline for their insurance premium will have their enrollment cancelled. Their student visa
may also be revoked, requiring the student to leave the country immediately.
Dental & Vison
The health insurance plan does not provide for regular dental and vision care. However, an option exists
where you can purchase additional dental and/or vision insurance separately through UnitedHealthcare
StudentResources by the posted deadline each year. If the deadline has passed, you must wait until the
next policy period to purchase it. More information about these plans can be found here:
https://ndus.edu/student-services-overview/dental-vision/.