F-1 Severe Economic Hardship
Severe economic hardship refers to the financial problems caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond your control.
Authorized Off-Campus Employment
Students who are authorized for off-campus employment are limited to 20 hours of work per week while school is in session and full time only during vacation periods and summers. It may not be possible to solve the problem through part-time employment.
Qualifications
- Maintain F-1 status for a full academic year
- Be in good academic standing and enrolled full-time (unless approved for a Reduced Course Load)
- Make a good faith effort to obtain on-campus employment before applying
- Discuss with an International Student Adviser
Required Documents
- Documentation of the circumstances causing the severe economic hardship. These circumstances may include:
- Loss of financial aid or on-campus employment through no fault of your own
- Substantial changes in the exchange rate or value of the currency that you depend on
- Inordinate increases in tuition or living costs
- Unexpected changes in the financial state of your source of support
- Medical bills
- Other substantial and unexpected expenses
- Documentation of your good faith effort in obtaining on-campus employment
- Check or money order made out to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security - refer to USCIS fee schedule for form I-765.
- Completed G-1145
- Completed I-765 with (c) (3) (iii) entered in #27
- Copy of all I-20s including a copy of the I-20 issued for this employment
- Copy of biographical pages of passport
- Copy of most recent visa
- Printout of Most Recent I-94 record
- Copy of any previous Employment Authorization Document (EAD) if applicable
- Two passport photos taken within the past 30 days. Your photos should be taken by a professional photographer and must meet Department of State requirements. Write your name and I-94 number in pencil on the back. It works best to apply a piece of clear tape and write on the tape. Put the photos in an envelope and write your name and I-94 number on the envelope.
Note: ISSA must receive a copy of your EAD card when it arrives.
Mailing Address
USCIS Chicago Lockbox
U.S. Postal Service (USPS):
USCIS
Attn: I-765 C03
P.O. Box 805373
Chicago, IL 60680-5374
FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:
USCIS
Attn: I-765 C03 (Box 805373)
131 South Dearborn - 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517
Authorized Off-Campus Employment
Students who are authorized for off-campus employment are limited to 20 hours of work per week while school is in session and full time only during vacation periods and summers. It may not be possible to solve the problem through part-time employment.
Qualifications
- Maintain F-1 status for a full academic year
- Be in good academic standing and enrolled full-time (unless approved for a Reduced Course Load)
- Make a good faith effort to obtain on-campus employment before applying
- Discuss with an International Student Adviser
Required Documents
- Documentation of the circumstances causing the severe economic hardship. These circumstances may include:
- Loss of financial aid or on-campus employment through no fault of your own
- Substantial changes in the exchange rate or value of the currency that you depend on
- Inordinate increases in tuition or living costs
- Unexpected changes in the financial state of your source of support
- Medical bills
- Other substantial and unexpected expenses
- Documentation of your good faith effort in obtaining on-campus employment
- Check or money order made out to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security - refer to USCIS fee schedule for form I-765.
- Completed G-1145
- Completed I-765 with (c) (3) (iii) entered in #27
- Copy of all I-20s including a copy of the I-20 issued for this employment
- Copy of biographical pages of passport
- Copy of most recent visa
- Printout of Most Recent I-94 record
- Copy of any previous Employment Authorization Document (EAD) if applicable
- Two passport photos taken within the past 30 days. Your photos should be taken by a professional photographer and must meet Department of State requirements. Write your name and I-94 number in pencil on the back. It works best to apply a piece of clear tape and write on the tape. Put the photos in an envelope and write your name and I-94 number on the envelope.
Note: ISSA must receive a copy of your EAD card when it arrives.
Mailing Address
USCIS Chicago Lockbox
U.S. Postal Service (USPS):
USCIS
Attn: I-765 C03
P.O. Box 805373
Chicago, IL 60680-5374
FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:
USCIS
Attn: I-765 C03 (Box 805373)
131 South Dearborn - 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517
