CPT, H1b, severe economic hardship question

[iceny]

Hi all,

I've been searching here and there in this forum and in google. However, I haven't had any luck finding the solutions to my problem.

I have been on F-1 visa since Sept 99. My OPT from BA degree expired August 11 last year. During the admission process to Kaplan (just to get new I-20), due to the advisor's fault, I became out of status for about 2 weeks. I got reinstatement and the I-20 shows my status started on November 1st 2005. I have transferred my SEVIS status to the university I'm attending for MBA program (starting this quarter).

However, for one and other reason, I am not getting any financial support any longer from my parents. I can try to get on-campus employment, but it's only 20 hrs and of course there is no way I can support myself from that income. I was thinking to find a company who's willing to support me an H-1b visa, but I need the OPT after graduation as it allows more freedom to find a better job without having to secure another H-1b visa before employment.

Another option is to get CPT, but I have to be at least 9 months in F-1 status. Considering the 2 weeks out of status gap, will I still be qualified to apply now? But then again, it only allows 20 hrs during regular quarter other than summer... which means not enough income to cover the expenses. The same thing with severe economic hardship option. I read on the schools regulations, it only allows a max of 20 hrs other than summer quarter and during breaks.

Is there any other option for me? I'm trying to get scholarship from school, but that will not happen unless I'm enrolled for at least 2 quarters and maintain a 3.75 GPA. And they only pay 4 credit (1 class) =$950. That leaves me with another $3k in tuition. Please help me out. Any ideas and suggestions are very much appreciated.


Desperate MBA student

 

[aahuja]

Hi all,

I've been searching here and there in this forum and in google. However, I haven't had any luck finding the solutions to my problem.

I have been on F-1 visa since Sept 99. My OPT from BA degree expired August 11 last year. During the admission process to Kaplan (just to get new I-20), due to the advisor's fault, I became out of status for about 2 weeks. I got reinstatement and the I-20 shows my status started on November 1st 2005. I have transferred my SEVIS status to the university I'm attending for MBA program (starting this quarter).

However, for one and other reason, I am not getting any financial support any longer from my parents. I can try to get on-campus employment, but it's only 20 hrs and of course there is no way I can support myself from that income. I was thinking to find a company who's willing to support me an H-1b visa, but I need the OPT after graduation as it allows more freedom to find a better job without having to secure another H-1b visa before employment.

Another option is to get CPT, but I have to be at least 9 months in F-1 status. Considering the 2 weeks out of status gap, will I still be qualified to apply now? But then again, it only allows 20 hrs during regular quarter other than summer... which means not enough income to cover the expenses. The same thing with severe economic hardship option. I read on the schools regulations, it only allows a max of 20 hrs other than summer quarter and during breaks.

You can apply for CPT after 9 months from Aug 11, i.e., staying in good status for 9 months.

Is there any other option for me? I'm trying to get scholarship from school, but that will not happen unless I'm enrolled for at least 2 quarters and maintain a 3.75 GPA. And they only pay 4 credit (1 class) =$950. That leaves me with another $3k in tuition. Please help me out. Any ideas and suggestions are very much appreciated.

I don't see any other option. Only option is to get a full time job with H1B. You cannot get H1B before Oct 1 because of qouta. Severe economic hardship would let you work anywhere ( even McDonalds) but only 20 hrs a week.


Desperate MBA student

 

[iceny]

Another option is to get CPT, but I have to be at least 9 months in F-1 status. Considering the 2 weeks out of status gap, will I still be qualified to apply now? But then again, it only allows 20 hrs during regular quarter other than summer... which means not enough income to cover the expenses. The same thing with severe economic hardship option. I read on the schools regulations, it only allows a max of 20 hrs other than summer quarter and during breaks.

You can apply for CPT after 9 months from Aug 11, i.e., staying in good status for 9 months.

That's what I want to know. Does the clock start from Aug 11 or Nov 1 due to me felt out of status for about 2 weeks in admission process to Kaplan? Also, I remember someone saying that OPT period is counted as F-1 full time status.