1. Photocopy of current valid I-20

2. Letter from advisor in correct format (see sample)

• must be typed on department letterhead and signed by academic advisor

• degree level stated in letter must match degree level indicated on I-20

• course number (and letter designation, if appropriate, i.e., 390A) must be listed

• quarter during which course will be taken must be listed and period of requested work authorization must take place during that quarter

• name of assigned faculty member for course must be listed

• all 3 conditions listed in sample letter must be included

• start/end dates of requested employment

• notation whether employment is full-time or part-time

• projected completion date must be indicated. If student will be graduating during the same month during which curricular practical training will be ending, completion date must be indicated as month/day/year to clarify that period of curricular practical training will end prior to completion date.

3. Photocopy of course listing from catalog (or web)

• course must be in student’s department

• course must be listed as being offered during the quarter indicated in advisor’s letter

• page from current quarter’s time schedule can be substituted for photocopied page from catalog if the course title is listed as "curricular practical training".

4. Completed and signed PTA form

• SEVIS ID # is the 11 digits number that starts with N in the top right side of your I-20.

• Level of education being sought: BS, MS, Engineer, PhD, etc. Must match degree level designation on student’s I-20

• Student’s major field of study. Should be same as department listed on I-20, unless student has officially changed departments.

• Describe proposed employment. Brief job description must be indicated and it must be relevant to student’s field of study

• Beginning/Ending dates: Start date cannot be prior to the Monday the quarter begins and end date cannot be later than the first day of the next quarter; Please refer to these deadlines.

• Whether you are applying for part-time or full-time practical training must be indicated. Anything over 20 hours is considered full-time. Full-time curricular practical training is permitted during summer quarter but not during academic year.

• Dates of previous periods of practical training should be listed in section #9. Each period listed should be specified as either full-time or part time.

• Form must be SIGNED and dated

5. Letter from Employer (see sample)

• Must be printed on employer’s letterhead and include the following information:

  • Job title (or description)

  • Start and end dates of employment

  • Number of hours per week OR whether job is full-time or part-time

  • Full street address where student will be employed

  All 5 required items must be submitted together. They should not be faxed, mailed or otherwise submitted separately.