Special Student Relief
The US Department of Homeland Security has designated some countries for Special Student Relief (SSR). SSR suspends some rules regarding F-1 student enrollment and employment.
These are the countries currently designated for SSR, with a link to the notice in the Federal Register, which includes specific eligibility information:
- Afghanistan
- Cameroon
- Ethiopia
- Haiti
- Hong Kong resident
- Myanmar
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria - on or after April 1, 2024
- Ukraine
- Venezuela
- Yemen
Eligibility
SSR applies to F-1 students who meet all of the following conditions:
- Are citizens of the designated country
- Were lawfully present in the United States in an F-1 nonimmigrant status on the date listed in the Federal Register (linked above)
- Are enrolled in an SEVP-certified school
- Are currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status
- Are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the crisis in their home country
Special Student Relief means that:
- After approval from your ISS Advisor, you are eligible to seek on-campus employment of more than 20 hours/week.
- You may apply for off-campus work authorization based on severe economic hardship. Read through the information at the link.
- Undergraduate (Bachelor) students who work more than 20 hours/week on campus or are approved for off-campus work authorization can drop to 6 credit hours, with up to 3 credit hours of online credit counting towards full-time enrollment (with prior approval from your ISS advisor).
- Graduate (Master, Doctorate, or Law) students who work more than 20 hours/week on campus or are approved for off-campus work authorization can drop to 3 credit hours, with up to 3 credit hours of online credit counting towards full-time enrollment (with prior approval from your ISS advisor).
Next steps:
If you think you are eligible for any of the above student relief, complete the Special Student Relief form and/or the Economic Hardship form.
