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Home » Academics » Academic Centers » Office of Global Engagement » International Student Services » F-1 Student Employment Options » Special Student Relief (SSR)

Special Student Relief (SSR)

“Special Student Relief (SSR) is a suspension of certain regulatory requirements by the secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for an F-1 student from parts of the world that are experiencing emergent circumstances.” – Study in the States

SSR may be authorized for students whose home countries are impacted by natural disasters, wars and military conflicts, and national and international financial crises. SSR becomes possible when DHS issues a Federal Register Notice.

Current Countries with Special Student Relief Opportunities

SSR is currently available to eligible F-1 students from the countries listed on the DHS website. The Special Student Relief information can be found halfway down the page. Students can also search for “Special Student Relief” and their country on the Federal Register webpage. In addition, International Student Services (ISS) receives notices whenever a new country is identified for SSR and notifies any students who could potentially be eligible.

ISS recommends that students who are interested in applying for SSR meet with a DSO to discuss their eligibility and the SSR process. After meeting with a DSO, students will need to follow the steps listed below to file an application with USCIS.

Please review the list to determine your eligibility, plus application requirements, prior to contacting ISS.

  • Student must be a citizen of a country specified in a Federal Register Notice.
  • Student must have lawfully resided in the U.S. for the dates indicated in the Federal Register Notice.
  • Student must have reported on time to their DSO and have been enrolled at Elmhurst University since the event.
  • Student must be maintaining F-1 status as a student (cannot be on post-completion practical training).
  • Student must be experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the emergent circumstances in their country of citizenship.

Step 1: Internal (Elmhurst University) Process

  • Log in to the 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 “Special Student Relief” and your desired SSR request type:
    • On-Campus Employment to exceed regularly allowed hours (internal request/authorization only) or
    • Off-Campus Employment (with USCIS application)​
  • Attach required evidence, including confirmation of SSR eligibility, letter of explanation for request, and supporting documentation
  • 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 appropriate SSR recommendation on page 2 of the new I-20
  • The requested I-20 will be produced and emailed to you

Important SSR request type notes:

  • Students applying to exceed the regularly allowed hours for On-Campus Employment can engage in the new hours once the SSR recommendation is made.
  • Students applying for Off-Campus Employment need to proceed to Step 2 and submit their application via mail.
    • If authorized, students will receive an EAD card and can begin employment on the authorized date. Please notify ISS of the outcome and provide a copy of your EAD card.

Step 2: External (USCIS) Process

  • Assemble application materials
    • Two color passport photos taken within past 30 days
    • Application Payment or Waiver Request
      • Waiver Option: Form I-912
        • This can add a few months of extra processing time, but can result in the waiver of the application fee if approved. If denied or undesired, pay the Form I-765 filing fee to proceed.
      • Form I-765 filing fee paid by money order, personal check, cashier’s check, or credit card using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions.
        • If you pay by check, you must make your check payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
    • Printed copy of completed Form I-765 (typed)
      • Use 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).
    • Printed copy of Form G-1145 (typed)
    • Copy of signed Severe Economic Hardship I-20
    • Photocopy of the passport identity page
    • Photocopy of F-1 visa page
    • Copy of Form I-94
    • Copy of any previously issued EAD cards
    • Typed letter to USCIS explaining specific situation
    • Supporting documentation as evidence
  • Mail your completed I-765 and application documents
  • If your SSR 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 SSR. You may also be eligible for a half course load Reduced Course Load, but must discuss with the PDSO. If the application is denied, you will be notified by USCIS in writing.
  • Please inform ISS of the result of your USCIS application and, if approved, include a copy of your EAD and any accompanying approval notice.
  • If you transfer your SEVIS record to a new school your SSR EAD is still valid through the approved end date, but your new school DSO should notate your eligibility in the Remarks section of your SEVIS record.
  • SSR benefits, if approved, end once you complete or terminate your studies as an F-1 student, or once the SSR program expires, whichever comes first.

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