CPT authorization is a little more complicated. You will need to meet several requirements in order to receive CPT authorization.

Student Requirements:

 Undergraduates:

• You are a full-time student for at least one full academic year.
  • “one academic year” in the School of Professional Studies, means that you will need to have completed 2 consecutive semesters.
• You are in your Junior or Senior year of your program.
• Internships are required / encouraged for your program of study.
• The internship relates to your major.

Graduates:

• Can be from day one, if CPT is an integral component of your program.*
• CPT is required for your degree program.
• The internship must relate to your major.

*We do not have any day one CPT programs at Lindenwood University

Internship Requirements:

• The internship position must relate to your major.
• The dates of employment must co-inside with the terms of CPT authorization.
• The position must be temporary, not a permanent position.
• Hours of working can only be part-time while school is in session.
  • Can be full-time during the summer for undergraduate students
  • Can be full-time for graduate students while school is in session.
• The position must be approved by your Academic Advisor.

How to apply for CPT:

• You must have the job prior to applying for CPT
• Schedule an appointment with Career Services.
• Get the job approved with your academic advisor.
• Fill out the appropriate CPT authorization form.
• Schedule an appointment with Advocacy Support and Services for International Students Team (ASSIST) to have your CPT authorization completed.

What is Optional Practical Training (OPT)?

Optional practical training is one type of work permission available for eligible F-1 students. It allows students to get real-world work experience related to their field of study.

OPT: For students engaged in post-secondary schools or at conservatories. Twelve months of Regular OPT is available for each higher level of study. (For example a student may have 12 months for a bachelor’s degree, another 12 months for a master’s degree, etc.).

There are three general types of OPT, they are:

• Pre-Completion OPT: Any portion of OPT used before the student’s Program End Date. It may be part-time or full-time.
• Post-Completion OPT: Any portion of OPT used after the student’s Program End Date. It must be full-time.
• 24-month (STEM) OPT Extension: For students who majored in designated Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) degrees approved by DHS. This type of OPT is a 24-month extension of OPT.
• Cap-Gap OPT Extension: For students whose prospective employers filed a qualifying H-1B-cap subject petition.

*Information was gathered from Study in the States.

How do I qualify for OPT?

• You have to have been enrolled full-time for at least one full academic year.
• Are in your final term of your program.
• You have not left the US after the completion of your program completion date.

How long is the OPT for?

• OPT is only for one calendar year.
• If your program qualifies as a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) degree, then you may qualify for an additional 24 months of OPT. STEM application process below.

Should I do Pre-completion or Post-completion OPT?

• You have two options you can apply for Pre-completion or Post-completion.
  • Pre-completion is work authorization that occurs prior to program completion and prior to the program end date listed on the I-20. This authorization is only during your final year in your program or final terms (for 5-term graduate students). This OPT authorization can only be part-time employment. The only time you can work full-time on pre-completion OPT is during the summer session.   The time you work on pre-completion OPT will cut into your total time on post-completion OPT. (We do not recommend pre-completion OPT unless there are dire circumstances.)
  • Post-completion is work authorization that occurs after your program is completed. This authorization is for work that will start after the program has been completed or after the program end date on the I-20. This authorization is for either full-time or part-time.

When should I apply?

• This depends on wither you are selecting pre-completion or post-completion OPT.
• If you are choosing pre-completion, you can only apply during your last year of your program or during the last two terms of your program (5-term students only).
• If you are choosing post-completion, you should apply within 90 days from your program end date / last day of finals. (use the Date Calculator to find the date that you can apply).
• You can apply during your 60 days of grace after the completion of your program.*

*Note: we do not advise waiting to apply for your OPT, the later you apply cuts into the processing time from USCIS. The process normally takes 90 days. However, the actual processing times have been taking longer than 90 days and up to 6 months.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at internationalservices@lindenwood.edu.

How do I apply for STEM?

• The process is very similar to that for the regular OPT. You apply 90 days prior to the end of your current OPT.
• The required documents are the same.  You will also need to include a copy of your previous EAD card and a copy of your transcripts and or diploma.
• The work authorization code (number #27 on the I-765 form) for STEM is: c 3 C (STEM Extension)
• On #28 on the I-765 form, you will need to list your degree (program name i.e. Information Technology. You can find this on the first page of your I-20 along with the CIP code), the company’s name and E-Verify number
• You will need to also include copies of your current EAD card (front and back), your transcripts (with degree conferral) and or your diploma.
• You will also need to submit the I-983 form when you are applying for STEM OPT. This form is to be filled out by your current employer. View Instructions.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at internationalservices@lindenwood.edu.

Severe Economic Hardship – Students may be eligible if experiencing unforeseen financial difficulties due to circumstance beyond student’s control. To apply, student must provide proof of unexpected financial difficulty. Example situations may include sponsor losing their job, sudden fluctuation in country’s currency, death of financial sponsor, or similar circumstance. On-campus employment must be unavailable or insufficient to meet student’s needs.

How do I apply?

• You will need to do the following

Please reference the USCIS website for more information on how to fill out the forms

 Form I-765 OPT Application and G-1145 E-Notification Form Procedures:

1. Filing fee of $410.00 payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security
   • Do not use the initials "USDHS" or "DHS." Payment can be made by check or money order.
2. Fill out the G-1145 E-Notification of Application / Petition Acceptance form.
   • This form is loose on top of the actual OPT application packet.
   • This form is found on the I-765, application for employment authorization site.
3. 2 Photos (U.S. passport style)
   • You can get these done at Walgreens or Wal-Mart.  Be sure to request “U.S. Passport style.” Do not use old photos, these must be recent photos.
   • Write your full name and date of birth on the back of each of the photos.
4. Completed I-765 Application for Employment Authorization. (Online PDF file) https://www.uscis.gov/i-765
   • We recommend saving this to your desktop or attaching it to your email so that you do not have to fill it out again if changes need to be made.
   • Refer to Specific Instructions beginning on page 16 of the instructions packet provided
   • The work authorization code is: c 3 iii (Economic Hardship)
5. Copy of I-94 Arrival/Departure Record (Front and Back if you have the paper version)  or print it off here https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home  
6. Photocopy of International Passport Identification Page and Visa. These cannot be altered electronically, i.e. a print out from a picture of your visa taken by your phone or the picture being cropped. Passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months into the future at time of application.
7. New I-20 with the request for OPT listed on the second page.
   • If you send your current I-20, your application will be denied.  You must come to the International Office by appointment to have your I-20 updated to reflect the request for OPT.
8. Personal Essay describing your current situation in detail.
   • Address the letter to USCIS.
   • Explain how the employment off-campus would benefit you.
   • Explain how this is a temporary fix to your current situation.
   • Explain how on-campus jobs are either not available or you are unable to obtain one (you must provide that you have applied and been denied).
9. Proof of the financial situation, bank statements, proof of job loss, natural disaster, or loss of finances.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at internationalservices@lindenwood.edu.

TPS - The Secretary of Homeland Security may designate a foreign country for TPS due to conditions in the country that temporarily prevent the country's nationals from returning safely, or in certain circumstances, where the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately. USCIS may grant TPS to eligible nationals of certain countries (or parts of countries) (see Countries Currently Designated for TPS), who are already in the United States. Eligible individuals without nationality who last resided in the designated country may also be granted TPS.