International Students

As an international IPFW student, you may be eligible for student employment. There may be restrictions on your ability to work in the United States. It is important to work closely with International Student Services to verify your employment eligibility and to follow all appropriate university procedures to expedite the employment process. You must be working toward an IU/PU degree, meet visa requirements to work in the United States, and meet all other university requirements for employment before you can be referred to a campus employer.

Applying for On-Campus Student Employment:

1. Visit International Student Services , Kettler Hall Room 104, and obtain an On-Campus Employment Authorization form.
2. Click on the JobZone link to search for on-campus jobs. You can also go to www.ipfw.jobsand click on Staff Positions for jobs on campus.

   Students: Use your myIPFW Login.
   Alumni: Call Career Services at 260-481-0689 for login information.
   Employers: Use your JobZone login information
   
   Complete your profile and search for jobs on campus. If you have any trouble logging into JobZone, please call 260-481-0689 or come to Career Services in Kettler 109. If you need help writing a resume, go to our Career Guide for assistance. You can also schedule an appointment with a career counselor by calling 260-481-0689 or visiting our office..

3. If you are offered the position, the on-campus employer must complete the F-1 Student Social Security Number Request form and return it to International Student Services, Kettler Hall, Room 104.
4. Once the request is approved, you will receive a confirmation letter and you will need to take the following items to the Social Security Administration Building to apply for a Social Security number:
   1. Valid Passport
   2. Form I-94 (white card in passport)
   3. Current Form I-20
   4. F-1 Student Social Security Number Request Form

You will not be able to get a Social Security number if one of the above items is missing.

Please note that you will only be able to apply for a social security number between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. After you have received your social security number, you will need to notify your employer.

The Social Security Office is located at:
2122 Lincolnway Court
Fort Wayne, IN 46819
(260) 747-6072

Once hired, you must meet with Kirk Tolliver in the Human Resources Office, Kettler G56, to complete the appropriate tax forms.

Please note:

• You can only work up to 20 hours a week while classes are in session. When classes are not in session, you can work over 20 hours a week. You can work multiple jobs as long as you don't exceed your hours.
• After completing one full academic year in an non-immigrant status, you may be eligible to work off-campus. You will need to contact International Student Services for more information.

IPFW Departments That Hire International Students

• Admissions
• Archaeological Survey
• Center for Academic Support and Advancement (CASA)
• Civil & Architectural Engineering
• Communicator (Student Newspaper)
• Computer Science
• Dental Education
• Gates Sports Center
• Helmke Library
• Housing
• Human Services
• Information Technology Services
• Interior Design
• Nursing
• Physical Plant
• Physics
• Psychology
• TLC Childcare (only as internship for CPT)
• Walb Student Union

Companies on campus That Hire International Students

• Follett's Bookstore
• Pizza Hut
• Taco Bell
• Subway

Internships: International Students 

As an international IPFW student, you are eligible for degree-related work off-campus (Curricular Practical Training), or what we commonly call an internship. The Office of Career Services coordinates non-academic credit internships. In order to qualify, you must be working toward an Indiana or Purdue degree, and an internship must relate to your academic area of study.

Curricular Practical Training Requirements:

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an employment option available to F-1 Visa status students where the practical training employment is considered to be an integral part of the curriculum or academic program. 

Employment for 20 hours or less per week while you are enrolled in classes is considered part-time CPT. There is no limit as to how long you can work as part-time CPT status.

Employment for more than 20 hours per week is considered full-time CPT. There is no limit to how long you can work as full-time CPT status. However, if you accrue 12 months or more of full time CPT before graduating, you will lose your eligibility for applying for OPT.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

OPT is up to 12 months of work in the United States in a job that is related to your major.  You may choose to take advantage of this benefit before or after graduation. OPT is commonly used by international students after graduation.

To apply for OPT, you must do the following:
1.  Meet with staff in the International Students Office in Kettler Hall, Room 104 to obtain an OPT application. 
2.  Attend the OPT workshop and schedule an appointment with the Director of International Student Services.  You must bring the following items with you to the appointment:

• A completed IPFW OPT application form
• A completed I-765 form
• 2 passport-size photographs (white background, 2 inches by 2 inches in size)
• Photocopies of all I-20 forms that were previously issued to you
• A photocopy of your passport, visa, and I-94 (photocopy both the front and back sides)
• A check or money order ($340) made payable to the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  No cash will be accepted.

If you have additional questions about OPT, please contact the International Student Services office at (260) 481-6034.

Searching for an Internship

Meet with a career counselor in Career Services to receive information about available internships.

Register and search for positions on JobZone, IPFW’s free online database for part-time, full-time, and internship positions.

Register and search for positions on IndianaINTERN, Indiana’s free internship posting database (www.indianaintern.net).

Visit the
Office of Academic Internships, Cooperative Education, and Service Learning (OACS) if your respective major is served by OACS and you meet specific academic requirements. They are located in Neff Hall, Room 337, and can be contacted at 260-481-6939.

Receiving an Internship for Academic Credit

1. Find an internship.
2. Meet with your faculty internship advisor (or OACS in the case of Business majors) to determine whether or not your internship opportunity can be counted for academic credit.
3. Obtain an offer of employment letter from the hiring company. It must include the following:
   -Name and address of company
   -Name of supervisor to whom you will report
   -Job description (must be directly related to major)
   -The dates when your internship begins and ends
4. Attach offer of employment letter to the Advisor Recommendation Form, which you can obtain in International Student Services Room Kettler 104.
5. Submit letter and Advisor Recommendation Form to International Student Services as soon as possible to allow time to process paperwork.

Receiving an Internship Not for Academic Credit

1. Find an internship.
2. Obtain a letter from a career counselor in Career Services and submit to International Student Services. The letter should state:
   • The specific internship opportunity
   • How the internship was obtained (e.g., specific job posting database)
   • Attach the job description
3. Submit letter to International Student Services as soon as possible to allow time to process paperwork.