The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) defines severe economic hardship (SEH) as a financial condition caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond a student’s control, making it difficult for the student to continue pursuing education in the United States.
These financial conditions may include:
- Loss of financial aid or on-campus employment through no fault of the student
- Substantial changes in the exchange rate or value of the currency upon which the student depends
- Inordinate increases in tuition or living costs
- Unexpected changes in the financial state of the student’s source of support
- Medical bills
- Other substantial and unexpected expenses
A student seeking employment authorization based on severe economic hardship must meet the following conditions:
- Have been in F-1 status for at least one full academic year.
- Be in good academic standing.
- Prove to USCIS that employment is necessary because of severe economic hardship caused by circumstances beyond their control that arose after obtaining F-1 status.
- Demonstrate that on-campus employment is unavailable or otherwise insufficient to meet the needs that have arisen as a result of the unforeseen circumstances.
- Obtain a letter from the academic department stating that employment will not interfere with the student’s pursuing a full course of study.
If you believe you qualify for Severe Economic Hardship, please schedule an appointment with our ISS office to review your case. If deemed eligible, you will need to submit the required documents with a printed I-765 application to USCIS by way of post mail. Additionally, an updated I-20 indicating your request for this assistance will be provided.
Required Documentation
- Copy of passport
- Copy of U.S. Visa
- Copy of most recent I-94
- Two 2×2 passport style jpeg photos
- Payment of $410 to USCIS or the Form I-912 requesting the fee waiver
- A letter to USCIS indicating how the situation in your home country has impacted you and how special student relief would assist you moving forward
Special Student Relief (SSR)
“Special Student Relief (SSR) is a suspension of certain regulatory requirements by the secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for an F-1 student from parts of the world that are experiencing emergent circumstances.” – Study in the States
Special Student Relief falls under severe economic hardship but differs slightly in that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security recognizes and provides support to international students in specific countries facing emergency situations. Examples of these circumstances have included natural disasters, war, and military conflicts. Students from countries that qualify for SSR are issued a “federal registry notice,” authorizing their special student relief, and will be granted more leniency when applying for economic hardship. In addition to off-campus employment, SSR students can also enroll in fewer credits per semester and still be considered maintaining status.
Eligibility for SSR
- Citizenship of a country specified in a Federal Register Notice.
- Lawful residence in the U.S. for the dates indicated in the Federal Register Notice.
- Full-time enrollment at Monmouth University.
- Currently maintaining F-1 status as a student (not currently on post-completion practical training).
- Experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the emergent circumstances in their country of citizenship.
Please see below for current countries who have been deemed eligible from DHS for special student relief opportunities:
Afghanistan
- Federal Register Notice
- Effective May 20, 2022 through Nov. 20, 2023.
- Student must have been in F-1 status on May 20, 2022.
Burma/Myanmar
- Federal Register Notice
- Effective Sept. 27, 2022 through Nov. 25, 2025.
- Student must have been in F-1 status on Sept. 27, 2022.
Cameroon
- Federal Register Notice
- Effective June 7, 2022 through Dec. 7, 2023.
- Student must have been in F-1 status on June 7, 2022.
Ethiopia
- Federal Register Notice
- Effective Dec. 12, 2022 through Dec. 12, 2025.
- Student must have been in F-1 status on Dec. 12, 2022.
Haiti
- Federal Register Notice
- Effective Jan. 26, 2023 through Aug. 3, 2026.
- Student must have been in F-1 status on June 28th, 2024.
Palestine
- Federal Register Notice
- Effective Feb. 14, 2024 through Aug. 13, 2025.
- Student must have been in F-1 status on Feb. 14, 2024.
Somalia
- Federal Register Notice
- Effective March 13, 2023 through March 17, 2026.
- Student must have been in F-1 status on March 13, 2023.
South Sudan
- Federal Register Notice
- Effective March 3, 2022 through Nov. 3, 2023.
- Student must have been in F-1 status on March 3, 2022.
Sudan
- Federal Register Notice
- Effective April 19, 2022 through April 19, 2025.
- Student must have been in F-1 status on April 19, 2021.
Syria
- Federal Register Notice
- Effective Aug. 1, 2022 through April 1, 2024.
- Student must have been in F-1 status on Aug. 1, 2022.
Ukraine
- Federal Register Notice
- Effective April 19, 2022 through April 19, 2025.
- Student must have been in F-1 status on April 19, 2022.
Venezuela
- Federal Register Notice
- Effective Sept. 10, 2022 through March 10, 2024.
- Student must have been in F-1 status on Sept. 10, 2022.
Yemen
- Federal Register Notice
- Effective March 4, 2023 until March 3rd, 2026.
- Student must have been in F-1 status on July 10th, 2024.