Severe Economic Hardship (SEH)

If other employment opportunities are not available or are otherwise insufficient, 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)]

You are eligible to apply for employment based on Severe Economic Hardship (SEH) if:

  • You have been in F-1 status for one full academic year.
  • You are in good academic standing and are taking a full course load.
  • Employment will not interfere with your studies.
  • You can demonstrate that the employment is necessary to avoid severe economic hardship due to unforeseen economic circumstances beyond your control.

If you believe you qualify for Severe Economic Hardship and would like to apply, please schedule an appointment with an International Student Services (ISS) DSO to discuss before proceeding with the application process detailed below, and bring the documents listed in step 2 of “SEH Employment Application Process” to your appointment.

Step 1: Internal (Elmhurst University) Process

  • Log in to myElmhurst Portal and access the Etrieve Forms app
  • Log in to Etrieve Forms via Okta (blue circle icon)
  • Click the “F-1 Severe Economic Hardship & Special Student Relief Requests” form
  • Input your details and choose “Severe Economic Hardship”
  • Attach required evidence
  • Click “submit” when your application is complete and all required documents are attached
  • ISS will receive the completed form to provide a final review
  • If you meet eligibility requirements, the DSO will generate a new I-20 with the SEH recommendation on page 2 of the new I-20
  • The requested I-20 will be produced and emailed to you

Step 2: External (USCIS) Process

  • Complete a Form I-765, using the code (C)(3)(iii) at item 16. Do not date the form until you are ready to send the application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
  • Include the following documents with your Form I-765 SEH application:
    • Typed letter to USCIS explaining specific situation
    • Supporting documentation as evidence
    • Copies of your updated Severe Economic Hardship I-20 and previous I-20s
    • Photocopies of the identity page(s) from passport (picture, number and expiration date)​ and F-1 visa page
    • Copy of paper or print-out of electronic Form I-94
    • Two color passport photos taken in past 30 days​
    • Copy of any previously issued EAD cards​​
    • Copy of your Unofficial Transcripts in the Academics section within Self-Service, accessible via the myElmhurst Portal (select all terms and “print” for a PDF copy)
  • Mail your completed I-765 and application documents to the USCIS Chicago Lockbox:
    • If using USPS, mail to:
      • USCIS
        PO Box 805373
        Chicago, IL 60680
    • If using FedEx, UPS, or DHL, mail to:
    • USCIS
      Attn: I-765 C03
      131 South Dearborn – 3rd Floor
      Chicago, IL 60603-5517
  • If your SEH I-765 for off-campus employment application is approved, USCIS will issue an EAD (Employment Authorization Document) to you and you can work for the authorized dates per the allowances of your SEH. If the application is denied, you will be notified by USCIS in writing.
  • You may not begin employment until you have received the EAD and the dates are valid. Authorization is granted in one-year intervals up to the expected date of completion of studies. You may work part-time while school is in session and full-time during official university holidays.
  • Please inform ISS of the result of your USCIS application and, if approved, include a copy of your EAD and any accompanying approval notice.

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