Employment based on severe economic hardship is authorized by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and is designed to address situations which are beyond the student’s control; which were unforeseen at the time the student was admitted at the school; and after all other options (financial aid, on-campus employment) have been exhausted. The USCIS makes case-by-case decisions for off-campus employment authorization for students who can show that new, unexpected circumstances beyond their control have created severe economic hardship. These may include the following:
- Loss of financial aid or on-campus employment (if the student is not at fault)
- Large increases in tuition or living costs
- Substantial decrease in the relative value of currency the student depends upon
- Unexpected changes in the financial conditions for a student's sources of financial support
- Unexpectedly large medical bills not covered by insurance
- Other substantial, unexpected expenses
Contact Diana Dimitrova for more information.