Severe Economic Hardship

Severe Economic Hardship is for F-1 students who experience severe changes in funding that are unforeseen and uncontrollable:

Provides one year of off-campus work authorization before completion of studies.
Authorizes work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session, 21 or more hours during school breaks.
Student must maintain full-time enrollment.

Eligibility

Lawfully enrolled full-time in a U.S. university for at least one academic year (two long semesters).
Valid F-1 status.
Good academic standing (minimum 3.0 GPA for graduates, 2.0 GPA for undergraduates).
Since arriving in the U.S. something unexpected happened to your funding, such as a sponsor dies or unexpected medical bills.
You have looked for an on-campus job and have been unable to find sufficient work.

Carefully review the UT Dallas Economic Hardship Guide.
Set an appointment to speak with an international student advisor to review requirements and required documents.
Submit the required documents to obtain an economic hardship I-20. Processing time is five business days.
Pick up the I-20 and mailing instructions.
Send the required documents to USCIS. USCIS processing usually takes about three months.
If approved, USCIS will send you an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) authorizing off-campus employment.