Employment, Internal Revenue Service, Illinois Department of Revenue
On-Campus Employment
Students holding F-1 student visas are allowed to work on the Harper College campus. On-campus employment is limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session and
can be up to 40 hours per week during the vacation periods.
No special immigration permission is required for on-campus employment. However, to
obtain a U.S. Social Security Card meet with Jill Izumikawa, International Student
Coordinator.
Student jobs are listed on Harper's Human Resources website:
Open Student Worker Positions
You can also find information about open positions at the Financial Aid Office (C102), the Career Development Services (A347), or campus-wide bulletin boards and office windows. Also, check with your
friends to see if they know of job openings in their offices.
Off-Campus Employment
To work off-campus, students must receive authorization prior to the beginning of
employment. Students wishing to apply for employment authorization need to request the instructions
from the International Student Office (D 138). Once the documentation is collected,
it has to be approved by an International Student Coordinator. Below is an overview
of different employment options.
- F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is defined as alternate work/study, internship,
cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum, which
is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.
CPT requires approval from the International Student Office prior to the beginning
date of the training and is rarely available.
Eligibility:
- Student must have been in lawful full-time status for nine consecutive months.
- Training must be an integral part of a program of study.
- Job offer is required to apply for CPT.
- Student can begin employment only after the approval from the International Student
Office (D 138) (CPT endorsement on the Form I-20).
- Work authorization can only be given for one semester at a time.
- Each subsequent semester, the student will need to re-apply.
- Student must be in good academic standing at the time of application and must maintain
good academic standing during the employment period.
- F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) is designed to provide students with an opportunity
to gain practical experience in the field of their studies. The OPT application requires
an approval from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) prior to the beginning
date of the practical training.
Eligibility:
- Student must have been in lawful full-time status for nine consecutive months.
- Training must be related to the student's major area of studies.
- A maximum of twelve months of training is available.
- Part-time OPT (20 hours or less per week) will be deducted at half the full-time rate.
- No specific job offer is required to apply for the OPT.
- Student can begin the training only upon the receipt of the official approval (employment
authorization card [EAD]) from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
- Employment Based on Economic Hardship is designed to provide students with an opportunity
to work off-campus when other employment opportunities are not available (i.e., on-campus
employment) according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). F-1 students are
eligible for off-campus work authorization in cases where the need to work is caused
by unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control.
Eligibility:
- Student must have been in lawful full-time status for one full academic year.
- Student must be in good academic standing.
- Student must demonstrate that acceptance of employment will not interfere with their
carrying a full course of study.
- Student must demonstrate that he/she has made a good effort to locate on-campus employment.
- Student must provide verification of economic hardship such as: loss of sponsor's
financial assistance or loss of on-campus employment without fault of the student;
substantial fluctuations in the value of currency or exchange rate; inordinate increases
in tuition and/or living costs; and unexpected changes in the financial condition
of the student's source of support, medical bills, or other substantial and unexpected
expenses.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires that all international students (F-1 visas)
who studied in the United States file an income tax form(s). Students who worked must file a 1040NR form or 1040NREZ form, and an 8843 form. If
you did not work in the previous year, you are required to complete the 8843 form
only. You may call the IRS office at (1-800) 829-1040; always identify yourself as an international
student on an F-1 visa.
Tax forms 1040NR and 8843 are available online at www.irs.ustreas.gov the filing period
is January through April 15. Harper College personnel cannot assist you in completing
these forms. If you would like to receive face-to-face tax assistance you can go to
one of these IRS offices:
IRS
Morton Grove
8125 North River Dr.
Morton Grove, IL 60653
IRS
2001 Butterfield Rd. (near I355)
12th Floor
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Illinois Department of Revenue
If you worked, you will need to also file an Illinois 1040 form. You may obtain information
from the Illinois Department of Revenue.
