INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICES: ISS Newsletter

Special Student Relief for Students from Ukraine and Sudan

Effective April 19, 2022, The US Department of Homeland Security has designated Ukraine and Sudan for Special Student Relief (SSR). SSR suspends some rules regarding F-1 student enrollment and employment. For more details please check the links below.

• The notice for Ukrainian students can be found here. 
• The notice for Sudanese students can be found here. 

What are the benefits of SSR?

• You can apply for off-campus work authorization based on severe economic hardship as a direct result of:
  • Ukraine: the ongoing armed conflict in Ukraine
  • Sudan: the current crisis in Sudan.
• The '1 academic year on F-1' requirement for off campus employment has been removed.
• You are eligible to take on and off campus employment more than 20 hours/week even when the school is in session (with prior approval from DSO).
• Students in AAS programs who are taking on and off-campus employment can drop to 6 semester or quarter hours, with up to 3 credit hours of online credit counting towards full-time enrollment requirement (with prior approval from DSO). ESL students can drop to the same hours but cannot count any online credits.

Who's eligible for SSR?

• Are citizens of Ukraine or Sudan, regardless of country of birth (or an individual having no nationality who last habitually resided in Ukraine or Sudan);
• Were lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status under section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C 1101(a)(15)(F)(i), on the date of publication of this notice;
• Are enrolled in an academic institution that is Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified for enrollment of F-1 nonimmigrant students
• Are currently maintaining F-1 nonimmigrant status; and
• Are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the ongoing armed conflict in Ukraine or the current crisis in Sudan.

How long will this notice remain in effect?

• Until October 19, 2023

How do I apply for off campus work authorization?

You can make a request on this ISS website 'Request - Off Campus Work Authorization' section.

If you have any questions, please contact DSO@mccollege.edu