Introduction

International students who maintain legal status under the regulations set forth by the U.S. government are generally allowed to work for wages on campus. Permission to work off campus may be available for the purpose of practical training and in a small number of other situations. Students must always check with an International Student Advisor!

CPT is a benefit for F-1 students that must be "an integral part of an established curriculum" that grants permission to work off campus per compliance guidelines.

A guide that explains the process of applying for OPT for an F-1 student to engage in temporary employment to gain practical experience in his or her field of study.

Students currently on OPT, in a STEM field, who may be eligible to apply for an additional 24-month extension of their OPT. 

Not sure if your major is STEM OPT eligibile? 

Look at the "Major 1" line in the "Program of Study" section on your I-20. It will have a code XX.XXXX for example "13.0406". This your program CIP Code. 

Now visit the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List and search for your CIP Code.

Academic Training is permission to work in the U.S. for training purposes granted to Exchange students in good J-1 standing. This allows them to remain in the U.S. after their program of studies ends.

On-Campus Employment

On-campus employment is widely available! Students are permitted to work up to 20-hours per week in most cases during the academic year, and more than 20-hours per week during vacation periods between semesters. Pay starts at approximately US$10.30 per hour, and will vary depending on the department and the job responsibilities. Pay checks are issued twice per month on alternating Wednesdays; some taxes will be withheld from each paycheck, but students will are often eligible for a full or partial tax refund at the end of the tax year.

To Find a Job

Students should visit the website for the Allen Yarnell Center for Student Success (AYCSS) to connect with an MSU career coach, search for available employment opportunities on the HireABobcat site, and peruse other employment related resources. AYCSS is located in the lower level of the Strand Union Building (SUB)

To verify the suitability of a particular job, please maintain close communication with your OIP International Student Advisor.

Other Ways to Find an On-Campus Job Include

  1. asking professors or others in the student's major department about possibilities,

  2. talking with other students to find out about job opportunities,

  3. contacting some of the key employers on campus directly:

Social Security Number

To apply for a Social Security Number (SSN), F-1 and J-1 students must first secure a job and have a letter of employment. They must then visit the International Tax office to complete the appropriate paperwork and receive the permission to apply at the Social Security Administration. For more information about your application for a SSN, you can check out this brochure from the Social Security Administration. 

Note: you cannot apply for an SSN earlier than 10 working days after initial entry to the United States (the date on your I-94). 

The student can then apply in person at the Social Security Administration once the paperwork with OIP is complete. Students should make sure tho bring a passport, I-94 card, I-20 or DS-2019, Letter of Employment, and documents prepared at OIP. The Social Security Administration is located at:

3205 North 27th Avenue
Bozeman, MT 59718

Phone: (406) 586-4501 or 1-800-772-1213

Note: The building is located behind Costco.

The SSN is a very personal number that should be kept private and given only to reliable and safe offices such as an employer, bank, insurance, or doctor's office. Keep your card in a safe place, do not carry it or any other document that shows your SSN.

Note: Canadian citizens cannot use the Canadian Social Insurance Number as a U.S. SSN. Applying for a SSN can only happen while in the U.S. through the above procedure.