ON-CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT
There is part-time work available on campus. You will need to apply for the jobs that are posted through Human Resources when you arrive on campus. No guarantees of employment can be made. This requires no special permits or visas. Visit the Human Resources website for more information.


OFF-CAMPUS WORK PERMIT
Procedures for part-time employment authorization document (EAD) due to severe economic hardship:

General Information

1. Applicant must have been enrolled as a full-time student in a lawful F-1 status for at least nine consecutive months prior to filing application.

2. Applicant must demonstrate the evidence of severe economic hardship.

3. Filing period: any time as long as the student has fulfilled the above requirements.

4. There is no job required to receive the off-campus work authorization.

5. Employment cannot begin until the EAD is approved and received.

How To Apply

1. Submit the following to the ISO for recommendation and certification:


a) Letter of recommendation from your academic advisor addressed to USCIS stating: (a) your full name (b) degree, major, track (c) cumulative GPA (d) that it will not harm your academic progress while working part-time.
b) Letter from yourself to USCIS stating why you need to work off-campus, mainly due to severe economic hardship.
c) Evidence of financial need. This can be in the form of a letter from your sponsor or a bank statement with financial history.
d) Current OCU unofficial transcript.


2. After the recommendation for the EAD is processed at the ISO, file all of the above documents along with the items listed below, with the Texas Service Center:


a) $180 fee (personal check or money order) payable to the USCIS.
b) I-765 is required.
c) Copy of current I-20 (pages 1 & 3 ). DO NOT SEND THE ORIGINAL.
d) Two USCIS photos.
• All photos must be of just the person.
• Where more than one photo is required, all photos of the person must be identical.
• All photos must meet the specifications for full frontal/passport photos.
• Photos must not be more than 30 days old when an application is filed.
(Write name in pencil on back of photos and put in a small envelope.)
e) Copy of identity and visa pages of passport.

The address for the Regional USCIS Office is:
I-765
USCIS TSC
PO BOX 851041
MESQUITE, TX 75185-1041

Please Note: You must be sure to give the address where you expect to be for at least 90 days after your application is mailed. USCIS WILL NOT ALLOW THE POSTAL SERVICE TO FORWARD MAIL.


SOCIAL SECURITY

Students who have already received an Employment Authorization Document (OPT or Hardship Work Permit) can take their I-20, I-94, and passport (with valid visa) to the Social Security office and apply for a Social Security card. Only those students who have off-campus work permissions or who have received an offer to work part-time on campus will be allowed to apply for a Social Security card. A Social Security number will not be issued for creation of credit card or utility accounts.

How to Apply:

Take your job offer letter to the Human Resources Office. HR will issue a university job offer letter.

Bring your job offer letter to International Admissions to be signed by a DSO (Designated School Official). Note: Students who will work on campus for a contracted service company (Sodhexo, Follet Bookstore, Physical Plant) will need to obtain a letter on letterhead from that service company and then obtain a separate letter from International Admissions, signed by a DSO.

Take the letter, I-20, and passport to the Social Security office to apply. It should take about 3 weeks to receive your card.

Once you receive your card, bring it to International Admissions so that it may be copied for your file and entered into your student account.