Employment and Eligibility

F-1 students are permitted to work on campus under specific conditions: 

• Per F-1 regulations F-1 students may not work more than 20hrs/week during the academic semester. At Lake Forest College, all students are limited to working up to 14 hours per week during the academic year. This maximum includes employment in no more than two campus positions, such as roles with Parkhurst Dining Services and Ricco Mail Services. See Business Offices/ Student Hours limit.
• More than 20 hours of work per week is permitted during official college breaks, such as winter break, summer break, and other approved university holidays. 

Note: Lake Forest College further limits on-campus employment to 14 hours per week during the academic year. For questions, please contact the Business Office.

What counts as on-campus employment? 

According to U.S. immigration regulations, on-campus employment includes: 

• Jobs with Lake Forest College departments or offices 
• Work with on-campus vendors that provide services to students (e.g., Parkhurst Dining or the Mail Room) 

Getting Started 

• Check Handshake for information about available on-campus job opportunities. 
• The Office of International Student Support will guide you through the process of obtaining a Social Security Number (SSN), which is required to be paid. 

F-1 students must receive authorization before engaging in any off-campus employment. This authorization must come from either a Designated School Official (DSO) or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), depending on the type of employment. 

What counts as employment? 

Employment includes any service performed in exchange for compensation, including: 

• Wages or salary 
• Room and board 
• Other non-monetary benefits 

Even unpaid internships or “volunteer” roles may be considered employment if they provide compensation or displace a paid position. 

Babysitting, tutoring, or any “under-the-table” work is not authorized and is considered a violation of your F-1 status. 

If you are considering any off-campus work, you must consult with the Office of International Student Support to ensure you remain in compliance with immigration regulations. 

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) allows eligible F-1 students to participate in off-campus internships or training program, paid or unpaid, that are an integral part of their academic program. 

CPT eligibility 

To qualify for CPT, you must: 

• Be lawfully enrolled full-time for at least one academic year (two consecutive semesters) at a SEVP-certified school  
• Be in valid F-1 status 
• Have an internship that is directly related to your major field of study 
• Be registered for academic credit for the internship (CPT cannot be used for minors or general graduation credit) 

CPT work hours 

• During the academic year: CPT must be part-time (20 hours/week or less) 
• During summer break: CPT may be part-time or full-time, with proper authorization 

Important: If you complete 12 months or more of full-time CPT, you will lose eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT) at the same degree level  

CPT Authorization Process 

Please contact the Career Advancement Center at careers@lakeforest.edu to get this process started.  

Every academic semester International Student Support and the Career Advancement Center offer CPT workshops. Please be sure you attend!  

Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows F-1 students to gain up to 12 months of temporary employment authorization in their major field of study. Most students apply for post-completion OPT, which begins after graduation. 

Key Facts About OPT: 

• OPT must be directly related to your major and is typically full-time and paid. 
• OPT is authorized by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). 
• You must apply for OPT no earlier than 90 days before and no later than 60 days after the program end date listed on your Form I-20  

You cannot begin working until you receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) from USCIS. 

• All OPT employment must be completed within 14 months of your program end date . 

Application Timeline 

• USCIS processing time for OPT applications typically takes 3 to 5 months . 
• It is strongly recommended that you apply as early as possible within your eligibility window to avoid delays. 

For more specific information regarding OPT please log into your F-1 Student Portal Login: HERE 

STEM OPT Extension 

F-1 students who have earned a degree in an eligible STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) field may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT. 

Eligibility Requirements 

To qualify for the STEM OPT extension, you must: 

• Be currently on post-completion OPT and in valid F-1 status 
• Be employed by an E-Verify-enrolled employer 
• Submit a completed Form I-983 (Training Plan) to your DSO before applying
  • How to fill form I-983  

Application Timeline 

• You may apply up to 90 days before your current OPT EAD card expires 
• Your DSO must recommend the STEM OPT extension in SEVIS before you file Form I-765 
• You must apply before your current OPT expires (check the date on your EAD card -late applications will be denied  

Do not wait until the last minute to apply, as processing times can vary. 

Required Documents 

To apply for the STEM OPT extension, you must: 

1. Submit Form I-983 to your DSO 
   • Must be completed jointly with your employer 
   • Include training goals, supervision details, and evaluations  
2. Receive an updated Form I-20 with the STEM OPT recommendation from your DSO 
3. File Form I-765 with USCIS, including: 
   • Copy of your new I-20 
   • Copy of your current EAD card (front and back)  
   • Filing fee
4. Official Lake Forest College Transcript, Diploma 

Eligible STEM Majors at Lake Forest College 

The following majors are currently eligible for the STEM OPT extension (based on DHS’s STEM Designated Degree Program List 

• Biology 
• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 
• Chemistry 
• Physics 
• Neuroscience 
• Mathematics 
• Computer Science 
• Psychology 
• Economics 
• Data Science (all tracks) 
• Environmental Studies 

Additional resources

https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/optional-practical-training-extension-for-stem-students-stem-opt 

https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-2-part-f-chapter-5 

F-1 Student Portal