The campus will remain closed until 12 noon Thursday, 02/13/25. Students should log into Canvas for specific class information from their instructors. Please contact event organizers for information on specific activities. Normal operations will resume at 12pm on Thursday.

Work authorization information for international students

On-campus employment

In some cases, international students are eligible to apply for on-campus employment opportunities. There are only a limited number of these positions available each year and competition may be intense. Therefore, students should not rely upon obtaining part-time employment to fund college expenses, but rather they should have sufficient funds prior to their arrival at Lawrence Technological to support their educational objectives. To find out more about these opportunities, please visit the Career Services Office, C404. The Office of International Programs cannot help place you in an on campus job.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) employment

International students who are required by their degree program to obtain practical experience may be eligible for this type of training in a full-time or part-time capacity. To find out whether or not this is a requirement of your degree program, please check with your academic advisor or your department.

  • Curricular Practical Training comes with no time limits; therefore, students may engage in this training for as long as it is required.  However if students participate in FULL-TIME Curricular Practical Training for more than twelve months, they will not be eligible for the second type of practical training or Optional Practical Training.  Students must also complete their Curricular Practical Training prior to their graduation from Lawrence Technological University.
  • If you are an international student who wishes to participate in Curricular Practical Training (CPT), here are some important rules that you must follow. 
  • Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is available to F-1 students who have maintained their F1 status for one year.
  • Students MUST attend two full-time semesters before being eligible for employment benefits on CPT. 
  • F-1 students can work off campus with authorization of the U.S. government if this work is part of the student’s curriculum (for example a co-op or a directed study course) To be eligible for CPT you must be enrolled in a course that will provide the credits for your working experience.
  • Students taking ESL classes are not eligible for CPT. CPT must be directly related to the field of study, is usually one semester, and must enter the student’s academic record. Students are eligible for part time or full time CPT. Part time CPT is limited to 20 hours per week.

To apply for Curricular Practical Training you must:

  • Get a recommendation from your adviser. Your adviser should fill out the appropriate online CPT request form.
  • Email a scanned copy of the offer letter to international@ltu.edu. Please be sure the offer letter has all necessary information as outlined in the CPT Guide.

 

Please be advised to allow at least a one week notice for processing.

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Optional Practical Training (OPT) employment

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an employment benefit which may be granted, under specific circumstances, to F-1 students to enable them to gain practical experience in their field of study by working off campus for a period of 1 year following completion of their studies.

This practical training lasts for a period of twelve months and starts when the international student receives permission from USCIS. Students do not need to have an employment offer to apply for this permission, however, per government regulations, only 90 days of unemployment are allowable during the 12-month OPT period.

Note: This work authorization is only available to F-1 students. If you are a J-1 student, please review the Academic Training information to learn about your work authorization.

When and how to apply for OPT

You must apply for OPT at the International Programs Office no more than 90 days prior to your program end date, but it is recommended that you complete the OPT workshop requirement earlier in your last semester. To ensure that you can receive your employment authorization on time, you should complete the steps outlined below.

  • Complete the OPT Workshop Module in Canvas in the International Programs group, scoring a 15 or above on the quiz. If you did not get a 15 or better, you can retake the quiz. If you run out of attempts, please email us.
  • Meet with your International Programs Advisor to confirm your eligibility and get guidance on the OPT application.                  
  • Submit your application documents, including
    • Completed, typed I-765 form
    • Completed OPT Request Form
    • Academic advisor’s online verification
    • Two, color, standard passport photos with name and admission number written on the back
    • A check or money order or G-1450
    • Color copy of your visa(s)
    • Color copy of your passport(s)
    • Copy of your most recent I-94

Photocopies of all prior I-20 forms                            

File your application online with USCIS and monitor your case status through your account.

Download the Guide to OPT for further detail on OPT. If you are ready for your appointment, please email international@ltu.edu for assistance.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) STEM extension employment

OPT STEM is a 24-month extension of the Optional Practical Training (OPT) employment benefit which may be granted, under specific circumstances, to F-1 students who are currently engaged in OPT to enable them to continue their employment authorization so that they may continue to gain practical experience in their field of study.

Students must be recipients of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in certain STEM (Science,  Technology, Engineering,  Mathematics) fields may be eligible for a  one-time 24-month extension of post-completion OPT (for a total eligibility of up to 36 months).  The 24-month Stem Extension OPT is adjudicated (approved) by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

24-month STEM extension overview

  • The earliest that students can apply is 90 days before the end of the 12-month OPT.
  • Lifetime limit of two (2) 24-month STEM extension is granted per student; each occurring after a higher degree level has been obtained.
  • New STEM extension EAD card begins the day after the expiration of the 12 month EAD card and ends 24 months later, no matter the date of adjudication.
  • It is possible to change employers during the 24 months. The new employment must meet the STEM extension requirements and a new I-983 training plan must be submitted to the school.
  • Students whose applications are received before the EAD card expires will be able to continue employment while the extension application is pending until they receive the final decision from USCIS on the application or for 180 days, whichever comes first. It is possible to change employment while application is pending, as long as the new employment meets STEM extension requirements.
  • If extension application is denied, student will still have the 60-day grace period after expiration of the 12-month EAD card.

STEM extension requirements

  • Must currently be on post-completion 12-month OPT
  • Verified completion of a degree on the STEM Designated Degree Programs List. The CIP code is found on top of page 1 of the I-20 under Program of Study information.
  • Employment Requirements:
  • Paid position
  • More than 20 hours per week
  • Directly related to field of study and appropriate to degree level obtained
  • Employer Requirements:
  • Registered with the U.S. Government E-Verify employment verification system
  • Agrees to report any termination of employment to International Programs.

Limited period of unemployment to maintain status

  • An additional 60 days of unemployment time will be available during the extension, combined with the 90 days granted during initial 12-month. The aggregate total allowed is 150 days during the possible 36 months.
  • Students must report immediately to IP any changes in employment through the OPT Information Update form.
  • OIP and DHS strongly recommends that students keep evidence for each job regarding the position held, dates of position, the job title, supervisor name and contact information and a description of the job.

Download the Guide to OPT for further detail on STEM. If you would like to make an appointment, please email international@ltu.edu to request one. If you live out of state and need to do a STEM appointment, we can do the advising via email.   

Academic Training (AT)

Academic Training is a period of authorized, off-campus employment (both paid & unpaid positions) that is directly related to a student’s field of study. J-1 students may participate in Academic Training either before or after graduation

The US Department of State Exchange Visitor Program regulations allow J-1 student visa holders to apply for  Academic Training (AT)  before and/or after completion of their program of studies.

Only students pursuing a degree are allowed to apply for Academic Training. Students become eligible for AT after they have been in lawful, full-time student status for one full academic year.

The cumulative period of Academic Training is 18 months, unless the student is pursuing a program that requires fewer than 18 months, in which case the period of Academic Training is shortened accordingly. The period of Academic Training cannot be longer than the period of time the student takes to complete his/her program of studies. For example, a student who completes a Master’s degree in one year is allowed only one year of Academic Training.

Student on academic training are allowed to work full-time during vacations, and up to 20 hours per week when school is in session. Remember that no student is allowed to work for more than 20 hours per week when school is in session. Therefore, if a student has an assistantship, she/he cannot be employed for Academic Training.

Download the J-1 Academic Training Guide for further details. Please email international@ltu.edu with questions regarding Academic Training.

Social Security Numbers (SSNs) for international students

In the United States, a Social Security Number (SSN) is a 9-digit number issued to citizens, permanent residents and temporary (working) non-residents by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Its primary purpose is to track individuals for taxation purposes; it is not intended to be used for identification purposes.

An SSN can only be issued to someone who is a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or has a valid job offer and/or is eligible for legal employment

Currently, SSNs are only issued to non-residents who have an employment offer. In other words, you cannot get an SSN unless you have a job. If you get an on-campus job offer and do not have an SSN, you will need a verification letter from the Office of International Programs. You will need this letter in order to apply for an SSN. Your LTU supervisor will submit the SSN letter request to the Office of International Programs which will then generate the needed verification letter for you.

Some employers allow international students to start working once the application is filed although the number has not been assigned yet. Some employers do not allow this, so you must speak to your employer to find out their policy on SSNs.

Students do not need a SSN to register for classes at LTU, get a driver’s license in Michigan or open a bank account.  However, landlords and utility, cable and cell phone companies may request an SSN to do a credit check to determine the amount of deposit they will require to secure housing or to activate services.  Students without an SSN may be required to pay a higher deposit payment prior to receiving service.

Please remember that the Office of International Programs cannot issue an SSN or apply for an SSN on your behalf.

» Document Viewer

Use Your Cell Phone as a Document Camera in Zoom

  • What you will need to have and do
  • Download the mobile Zoom app (either App Store or Google Play)
  • Have your phone plugged in
  • Set up video stand phone holder

From Computer

Log in and start your Zoom session with participants

From Phone

  • Start the Zoom session on your phone app (suggest setting your phone to “Do not disturb” since your phone screen will be seen in Zoom)
  • Type in the Meeting ID and Join
  • Do not use phone audio option to avoid feedback
  • Select “share content” and “screen” to share your cell phone’s screen in your Zoom session
  • Select “start broadcast” from Zoom app. The home screen of your cell phone is now being shared with your participants.

To use your cell phone as a makeshift document camera

  • Open (swipe to switch apps) and select the camera app on your phone
  • Start in photo mode and aim the camera at whatever materials you would like to share
  • This is where you will have to position what you want to share to get the best view – but you will see ‘how you are doing’ in the main Zoom session.