An F-1 student may be authorized by the Designated School Official to participate in a curricular practical training program that is an integral part of a degree programs curriculum.

Curricular practical training is defined as:

• Alternative work/study
• Internship, mandatory to receive the degree
• Integral party of the established curriculum.
• Cooperative education
• Any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.

• The student has been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for at least a full academic year.
• The student is not studying English as a second language.
• The student has secured a training position.
• The student must be in good academic standing with Georgia Southwestern State University
• As a reminder: Students who have received one year or more of full time curricular practical training are ineligible for post-completion optional practical training.

1. Applicant must be in active F-1 Sevis Status
2. Applicant must submit the Curricular Practical Training Request Form 
3. Applicant must ensure the total work load does not exceed 19 hours per week during the school term.
4. Applicant must submit the required, signed cooperative agreement or a letter from your employer
5. Applicant is responsible for the review of the updated I-20 with DSO endorsement

• The Optional Practical Training curriculum must relate to the major or course of study.
• Your DSO will provide you with a new Form I-20 that shows the DSO recommendation for OPT.
• The employment start date must be after you receive your Employment Authorization Document.
• During the OPT participation, you are allotted 90 days of accrued unemployment days.
  • Unemployment days begin once your 60 day grace period ends and after the OPT start date listed on your Employment Authorization Document card.
• During a class session, the applicant may only work 20 hours per week.

Application Checklist

1. I-765 Form or Online Application Form I-765 within 30 days of DSO recommendation in SEVIS.
2. Form G-1145 if submitting via mail
3. Non-refundable application Fee – Form I-765 Filling Fee
4. Two Passport Photos with name and I-94 number on back
5. Copies of passport photo page, most recent visa, I-94
6. Personal Check or Money order: Please see https://www.uscis.gov/i-765 under Filing Fee.
7. Updated OPT I-20 with OPT Recommendation
   1. USCIS must receive application within 30 days of the date of OPT recommendation, or the application could be denied.

8. All previous EADs (if applicable)

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant must be in active F-1 Sevis Status AND must be working in post-completion OPT.

Applicants can apply up to 90 days prior to the post-completion OPT end date. Applicants are not eligible to apply for STEM OPT once the post-completion OPT end date has passed.

• Applicants must have completed a degree in a STEM Designated Degree Program
• Applicant must work for an employer who meets all the requirements listed below:
  • Employers must provide STEM OPT applicants with compensation that is comparable to that of U.S. workers who perform similar duties and have similar educational and professional experiences.
  • The regular work hours should be at least 20 hours per week.
  • Employer must be enrolled in E-Verify as supported by a valid E-Verify Company Identification number
  • Employer must implement a formal training program to support the student’s academic learning through hands-on experience. This formal training will be documented on the I-983 Training Plan Form

STEM OPT Resources

• STEM OPT Reporting Requirements
• Training Plan for STEM OPT Students
  
  • Training Plan Directions
• STEM OPT Reporting Requirements

Application Timeline

USCIS Compliance Review Site Visit

The U.S Department of Homeland Security is permitted to conduct site visits of employers with STEM OPT students. The site visits are to ensure the employer is providing a structured and formal training program to support the student’s academic learning through hands-on experience. The I-983 form will be utilized to evaluate the training program.

To ensure compliance during site visits, STEM OPT students should:

  1.  Ensure the employer information is up-to-date in the SEVP Portal
  2.  Verify the employer’s physical address listed in the SEVP Portal and provided on the I-983 form is the address reported for work.
  3.  Verify the home address is up-to-date and notify the Designated School Official within 10 days of any changes.
  4.  Safe keep all documents outlining employment history, pay, duties, etc.

For further informationon Site, see Administrative Site Visit and Verification Program.