Severe Economic Hardships - Bilingual Education Institute

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Attention to BEI F-1 Students!

We understand that COVID-19 Coronavirus may have made a significant impact on your finances that are beyond your control. Because of this, eligible F-1 students at BEI can apply for Severe Economic Hardship Employment for F-1 Students.

Overview

An eligible F-1 student may request employment authorization based on severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond the student’s control. These circumstances may include a 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, or unexpected changes in the financial condition of the student’s source of support, medical bills, or other substantial and unexpected expenses.
Source: [8 C.F.R. 214.2(f)(9)(ii)(C)-(D) and (F)]

Eligibility Criteria

You are eligible to apply for employment based on severe economic hardship if:

You have been in F-1 status for one full academic year
- All studies at BEI – Must have completed 6 cycles
- Transfer students – all studies must add up to equivalent of 2 semesters (9 months)
You are in good academic standing
You have no outstanding payment balances at BEI
Employment will not interfere with your studies
- Employment schedule must be outside of your scheduled class
- Employment must not interfere with making normal progress
You can demonstrate that the employment is necessary to avoid severe economic hardship due to unforeseen economic circumstances beyond your control

Documents Needed to Apply

Complete BEI’s Severe Economic Hardship Request Form
Student’s personal statement describing the economic hardship
- Supporting Documents (a letter from your sponsor describing their change in circumstances; proof of a currency devaluation in your country, etc.)
Completed I-765 Application for Employment Authorization
Copies of your current and previous Form I-20s
I-94
F-1 Visa Sticker Page (I-797 Approval Notice for Change of Status students)

How to Apply

Submit BEI’s Severe Economic Hardship Request Form
BEI’s DSOs will contact you to let you know if you are eligible
Submit all Documents to your DSO
BEI’s DSO will review your documents
If approved, your BEI DSO will send your request to SEVIS electronically, and generate a new SEVIS I-20. The recommendation will be written on page 2 of the new I-20
BEI’s DSOs will notify you when your new I-20 is available
Sign your name on the I-20 immediately
Send your request to USCIS
- Form I-765 with fees
- New I-20 with employment recommendation
- Copies of your previous I-20s
- Form I-94
Passport Biographic Page
F-1 Visa Stick Page copy or I-797 change of status approval
Two full-face passport style photos