J-1 Internships & Off-Campus Employment

 

Academic Training Guidelines

 

For Edgewood College Students with J-1 Visas

ISEP exchange students must follow the ISEP guidelines and application procedures for Academic Training.  Please see Sara Friar for more information.

Academic Training (AT) is the name used by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) for certain types of study-related employment (including internships) for students with J-1 visas.   Academic Training is flexible in its format and offers a variety of paid and unpaid employment opportunities to supplement your academic program in the United States.  Students can participate in AT before completion of your coursework (Pre-Completion AT) and/or after your finish your coursework at Edgewood (Post-Completion AT).  As long as you stay within the stipulated time limits, you may work part-time while classes are in session and full-time during vacation periods or full-time after you have completed your coursework.  

Sara Friar must approve AT before the internship or employment start date.

 

Eligibility

  • Your primary purpose in the United States must be to study and not to engage in AT.
  • You must be in good academic standing at the school named on your DS-2019, Edgewood College.
  • The proposed employment must be directly related to your major field of study listed on your DS-2019.
  • Throughout your AT, you must maintain permission to stay in the U.S. , in J-1 student status, and apply for extensions as necessary.
  • You must maintain health insurance coverage, as required by the U.S. DOS and Edgewood College.
     

Time Limitations

  1. You are eligible for AT for a period not to exceed the length of time spent studying at Edgewood College or 18 months, whichever is shorter. Your employment may be authorized for the length of time necessary to complete the goals and objectives of the training, provided that the amount of time is approved by both the academic advisor and the Responsible Officer (Sara Friar). 
  2. Part-time employment for AT counts against the 18-month limit the same as full-time
    employment.
      

The Application Process

Submit all application materials to Sara Friar in the Center for Global Education at least two weeks before the proposed start date of your AT. Your application will include the following components:

1.  Edgewood College Academic Training Application Form

2.  Employer Form or letter from employer (on company letterhead) that includes all requested information.

3.  Academic Advisor Form
To assist your academic advisor in writing the letter of recommendation, give her/him a copy of your employer’s form/letter. You should also discuss with your advisor the specific goals you have for your academic training.  Your goals will be entered into SEVIS.  

4. Health Insurance Enrollment Form (only for post-completion AT)

5.  Proof of financial support (only for UNPAID post-completion AT)
 

Issues to Consider if Your Academic Training Involves Paid Employment

  • Social Security Number – Refer to the Employment & Internships main page for information on how to apply for a Social Security Number.
  • Taxes - Refer to the “Income Taxes” section of the CGE website for information on how to file your taxes.

Unless you qualify under a tax treaty between the United States and your home government, your earnings as a J-1 student will be subject to applicable federal, state and local taxes, and employers are required by law to withhold those taxes from your paycheck.  By April 15 of the year following the one during which you worked, you must file income tax returns.

 

Special Considerations for Post-Completion Academic Training:

  1. Your AT application must be approved and your program extension must be processed in SEVIS BEFORE completion of your academic program (which is the end date listed on your DS-2019).  You must submit your application to the CGE at least two weeks prior to the end date on your DS-2019.
  2. Employment must begin within 30 days of the final day of the semester in which your academic program ends.
  3. If your AT does not involve paid employment, you must provide proof of sufficient funds to support yourself during the training period.  Edgewood considers sufficient funds to be at least $800/month.
  4. If you plan to leave the United States after you complete your program of study and re-enter the country for AT, your AT application must be approved before you leave the U.S.  Failure to follow this guideline may result in you not being able to re-enter the U.S.  Also, remember that you need a valid J-1 visa to re-enter the U.S.!


  Responsibilities During Post-Completion Academic Training

  • Follow all J-1 Visa regulations to maintain your status. 
  • Maintain health insurance enrollment throughout your AT.
  • Submit the Personal Information Update (Addresses & Phone Numbers) Form within 10 days of moving to a new address.
  • Request travel validation signatures on your DS-2019 if you plan to travel outside the U.S.