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International Students

Severe Economic Hardship (SEH)

Severe Economic Hardship (SEH)

Severe Economic Hardship (SEH) is a year-long work authorization for eligible F-1 international students who experience financial hardships due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the student’s control. These circumstances may include loss of financial aid or on-campus employment without fault on the part of the student, substantial fluctuations in the value of currency or exchange rate, inordinate increases in tuition and/or living costs, unexpected changes in the financial condition of the student’s source of support, medical bills, or other substantial and unexpected expenses.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for SEH, if you:

  • have an active I-20 from PCC
  • are not in your first term °µÍøTV
  • are maintaining F-1 visa status and are in good academic standing
  • were enrolled in a SEVIS-approved school in lawful non-immigrant status for at least 3 terms (9 months)
  • have demonstrated that acceptance of employment will not interfere with studying full-time (at least 12 credits)
  • have demonstrated that the employment is necessary to avoid severe economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances beyond your control

*You do not need a job offer to apply for a Severe Economic Hardship employment authorization

Procedure

If you wish to apply for SEH, you must follow the steps below:

  1. Schedule an appointment with the SEVIS Coordinator to discuss your eligibility, processing, and current SEH trends.
  2. Submit the for “Severe Economic Hardship (SEH).â€
  3. The SEVIS Coordinator will email you with next steps
  4. After you prepare the Form I-765 and supporting documents, you must schedule an in-person appointment with the SEVIS Coordinator, who will verify that you have a complete application and who will make a recommendation for Severe Economic Hardship in your SEVIS Record.

Deadline

There is no formal deadline for Severe Economic Hardship applications. However, with long processing times (5+ months) and the SEH timeline, it is best to start the process as soon as possible, when you initially experience an unforeseen circumstance causing a financial hardship.

Additional Information

  • Approval is not guaranteed. USCIS will make a final decision about a student’s eligibility for SEH work authorization.
  • If the SEH application is approved by USCIS, students will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card through the mail. If students move before their SEH application has been processed, they must update their address with USCIS, using the or immediately. EAD cards cannot be forwarded to a new address.
  • Students cannot work until they receive the EAD card or the start date on the EAD card, whichever is later.
  • SEH work authorization is limited to one year. It begins the date that is originally requested or the date of approval (whichever is later) and ends within one year or the Program End Date on the I-20 at the time of approval whichever is earlier).
  • Students can work a maximum of 20 hours per week during the school year and full-time (over 20 hours per week) during vacation periods.
  • SEH work authorization does not limit the type of work an approved student can do. A job offer is not required to apply for a Severe Economic Hardship.
  • Students must study at least 12-credits while working under Severe Economic Hardship, unless otherwise approved through a vacation term or Reduced Course Load (RCL).
  • If a student transfers to another institution before the SEH end date, the SEH employment authorization ends on the date of SEVIS Record transfer, even if there are more dates of validity on the EAD card.

For further information, please contact the SEVIS Team.

This page is maintained by the OISS SEVIS Coordinator.