{"id":616,"date":"2024-05-08T08:45:47","date_gmt":"2024-05-08T12:45:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/iso\/?page_id=616"},"modified":"2026-03-13T14:21:34","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T18:21:34","slug":"f-1-economic-hardship","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/iso\/current-students\/working\/f-1-economic-hardship\/","title":{"rendered":"Special Circumstances"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"parent":576,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"class_list":["post-616","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"lead_in":"","display_title":"","subtitle":"","call_to_action":"","hero_image_placement":"no_image","hero_media":"images","hero_pattern_option":"","hero_video":"","hero_image_landing":"","hero_image_landing_two":"","hero_image_landing_three":"","content_modules":[{"acf_fc_layout":"text","anchor":"","css_class":"mt-0 pt-15","title":"","content":"

Under F-1 and J-1 immigration regulations, there are limited circumstances in which students may apply for special employment authorization due to economic hardship or other unforeseen situations. These options are intended to assist students who experience a significant and unexpected change in their financial circumstances that makes it difficult to continue their academic program without additional employment.<\/p>\r\nPlease note that many students who may be eligible for these authorizations often choose to pursue F-1 Curricular Practical Training<\/a> or J-1 Academic Training<\/a> instead, as these options are typically faster, simpler, and less expensive to obtain through the ISO. You are encouraged to meet with an ISO advisor<\/a> to discuss your situation and determine the most appropriate path forward.","background_color":"#ffffff","width":"width-medium"},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion_new","anchor_id":"","classes":"","title":"

Severe Economic Hardship<\/strong><\/h2>","description":"

One condition of approval for F-1 or J-1 nonimmigrant status is that a student shows the ability to pay for his or her education and support while in the United States. The Severe Economic Hardship employment authorization benefit is intended to address situations where a financial need beyond the student\u2019s control arises, which was unforeseen at the time the student applied to the school he or she is currently attending and after all other potential employment opportunities have proven to be insufficient.<\/p>\r\n

Severe Economic Hardship employment authorization is available to F-1 and J-1 students who experience a serious, unexpected financial difficulty that makes it hard to continue their academic program. If you find yourself in such a situation,\u00a0please meet with an ISO Advisor<\/a>\u00a0as soon as you can. Severe Economic Hardship employment might be one of several options available to you, depending on your circumstances.<\/p>","background":"plain","background_color":"#ffffff","style":"row_blank","expand":"no","accordions":[{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"What is Severe Economic Hardship?","icon":"","row_content":"The hardship must be unforeseen, severe, and beyond your control. Please note that loss of funding due to poor academic performance does not qualify. Examples of Severe Economic Hardship include:\r\n