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Internship/Co-op & Curricular Practical Training

Internship Authorization and Curricular Practical Training (CPT for Off-Campus Internships) offers an exciting opportunity to engage in valuable internships for enrolled full-time students. This practical experience allows students to apply their classroom knowledge in real-world settings and gain a competitive edge in their chosen fields. 

To participate in an internship, students must: 

  • Per immigration regulation, be enrolled full-time for at least one academic year; and
  • Per institutional policy, be in a junior class status or higher or be a graduate student.

Use the Internship/CPT Calculator below to learn when to start applying. Start the Internship/Co-op (CPT) Application application process by submitting the eligibility form below.

Internship/CPT Calculator Eligibility Confirmation Form

ISSS Office hosts Internship/CPT in-person and online information sessions every semester, which you can view by selecting the options below:

Here's what you can expect to find on this page:

  • Rules and Regulations: all information regarding important rules and regulations related to work authorization that must be followed by all international students
  • How to Apply: a thorough guide on how to apply for Internship/Co-op (CPT) Authorization, including all necessary documents and more.
  • Reminders: important reminders for Internship/CPT participants.
  • Other Questions: frequently asked questions about Internships and CPT Authorization.

Internship/Co-op (CPT) Rules and Regulations

Please keep in mind that Internship/Co-op (CPT) applicants cannot begin the internship before they receive the approved from the ISSS/EXCEL Offices. Off-Campus internships MUST have a CPT-authorized I-20 per immigration regulations before employment begins.

To reiterate, any off-campus internship you participate in as an F-1 visa holder must be approved by the ISSS Office and formally noted on your Form I-20 before you can begin participating in your training experience in the U.S.

The entire Internship/Co-op (CPT) authorization process takes 2~4 weeks so please plan accordingly. The ISSS Office will work with you to get your Internship/Co-op (CPT) authorized in a timely manner.
 

When can the student intern start working?

Off-Campus Internships: ​​Internship/Co-op (CPT) applicants MUST receive the CPT-authorized Form I-20 (visa document) before they start working. CPT-authorized I-20 is given to CPT applicants who complete all the CPT application process. As the processing time takes anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks, student interns and employers must plan accordingly before deciding the internship start date. F-1  visa holders who start working without CPT I-20 will be considered out of status for engaging in unauthorized employment which leaves their I-20s in jeopardy of being terminated. 

On-Campus Internships: Internship/Co-op applicants are expected to receive confirmation from both the ISSS and EXCEL Offices before beginning their on-campus internship. You will be notified of your approval via email after completing the Internship/Co-op (CPT) Application.

Can I work in countries other than the U.S as an intern?

For international students seeking internships in countries other than the U.S., it is important to note that the Internship/Co-op (CPT) Application is specific to the United States, and it is your responsibility to research and comply with the employment-based visa requirements of the respective countries.

Do I need to be enrolled in the internship class?

Yes! Whether you are working an on-campus or off-campus internship, you must remain enrolled in your internship class.

Per federal regulations your internship/co-op/training (CPT) must be:

  • Curricular (meaning for academic credit);
  • And "an integral part of an established curriculum";
  • And directly related to your major degree program

Therefore, the internship position must be tied to your academic program (major). In other words, all F-1 visa holders who would like to engage in an internship must be enrolled in the internship class offered by SUNY Oswego. 

As long as Internship/Co-op (CPT) participants are enrolled in the internship course, the internship can be paid or unpaid. Even some unpaid internships and volunteering experiences must count as Internships/Co-ops (CPT)!

NOTE: True volunteer work is donating your time to an organization whose primary purpose is charitable or humanitarian, without remuneration (pay) or any other type of compensation. Volunteering is not the same as an unpaid internship and it does not require CPT authorization. If you are not sure if the position/opportunity that you are interested in would count as volunteer work, please reach out to us at [email protected].

Will my participation in CPT (Off-Campus Internship) affect my eligibility for OPT?

As a reminder, a CPT Authorized Form I-20 will only be issued for off-campus internships. 

On campus internships should have no affect on OPT Eligibility.

For off-campus internships:

There are two types of CPT: Part-time (less than 20 hours per week) and full-time (more than 20 hours per week). 
It is worth noting that 12 months or more of full-time CPT eliminates eligibility for OPT. 

Also, if you are working on campus (including assistantships), on-campus employment plus Off-Campus CPT together cannot exceed 20 hours per week while school is in session (Fall and Spring)!

Do I need to go through the Internship/Co-op (CPT) Application process for on-campus positions?

Maybe!

If you are working a student employment position that is not an internship, there is NO need to apply for Internship/Co-op (CPT) Authorization. Any international student can work on-campus for SUNY Oswego during their degree and it does not count as an Internship/Co-op (CPT). 

That being said, if the on-campus position that you are interested in requires you to be enrolled in an internship class, you will need to work with EXCEL and complete the ISSS Internship/Co-op (CPT) Application. You will not be issued CPT Form I-20.

I am offered an unpaid internship, do I still need to go through CPT?

Yes. Whether it is a paid or unpaid internship, all F-1 international students must obtain Internship/Co-op (CPT) Approval. Unpaid off-campus internships must have a CPT-approved I-20 before they engage in internships off campus. 

How to Apply for Internship/Co-op (CPT) Authorization

All international students applying for Internship/Co-op (CPT) Authorization must complete each of the following steps prior to beginning their internships. Please note that international students are advised to plan as the Internship/Co-op (CPT) Authorization process can take 2-4 weeks to complete.

Step 1: Confirm your eligibility with the ISSS Office

To begin the Internship/Co-op (CPT) Application process, F-1 visa holders must complete the eligibility form. By doing so, you are confirming that...

  • You have been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year in the United States; and
  • You are in a junior class status or higher or a graduate student; and
  • You meet the minimum GPA requirement*; and
  • You completed the Prior Felony Questionnaire

*SUNY Oswego requires you to have a minimum GPA to complete the internship/co-op (Usually the minimum requirement is a 2.5 GPA but it may differ depending on the major). If you have questions regarding the minimum GPA requirement, please reach out to EXCEL at [email protected].

Once you submit the form, you will hear back from us regarding your eligibility within 1~3 business days. 

If you meet the eligibility, you will be given access to CPT Portal. If not, you will receive comments on why you are not meeting the eligibility. 
 

Step 2. Have your supervisor complete the Site Verification Form

Internship/Co-op (CPT) applicants who meet the eligibility requirements to apply for Internship/Co-op (CPT) Authorization will be given access to the Internship/Co-op (CPT) Application portal.

From there, you will be instructed to share the Site Verification Form with your employer (supervisor). The completed form by your employer allows the EXCEL Office to assist you with evaluating internship experiences for course credit. Please email EXCEL at [email protected] if you have questions about the evaluation process.

Only students whose Internship/Co-op site verification form is approved can proceed to the next step. Once the site verification form, completed by your employer, is approved by EXCEL, upload it to your learning agreements (Handshake Experiences).

Please allow 1-2 business days for your Internship/Co-op (CPT) Application portal to be updated and acknowledge the retrieval of your Site Verification Form.

Step 2.1 Counseling Program and Student Teaching/Education Field Experience program students ONLY

IMPORTANT: Students who will partake in an internship to complete the graduate-level Counseling Program or Student Teaching/Education Field Experience program do not need a completed Site Verification Form

Instead, you will need to complete the site verification waiver form in the Internship/Co-op (CPT) portal. To complete the waiver form, you would need to upload the following document:

  • An unofficial transcript that shows the internship class (To retrieve the unofficial transcript, go to MyOswego Account then click "Student Profile" and "Academic Transcripts". You will be able to save the page as a PDF file.)

Additionally, the Internship/Co-op (CPT) portal will ask you to complete the ISSS internship and co-op acknowledgment form once your site verification form waiver request is approved. 

Once you submit the waiver form, it will take 1~3 business day for the ISSS office to review your waiver request.

Step 3. Internship & Co-op Acknowledgement

Once your Internship/Co-op (CPT) Application has been updated to indicate the approval of your Site Verification Form, your next step will be to complete the International Student Internship & Co-op Acknowledgement form.

When completing this form it is important that you provide accurate information regarding your employer.

The ISSS Office highly recommends that you read each check box in your International Student Internship & Co-op Acknowledgement form. As a Internship/Co-op (CPT) applicant, it is your right and responsibility to understand the immigration rules associated with your Internship/Co-op (CPT) application.

Please note that the mandatory electronic signature on this form indicates your agreements to abide by all of the listed rules associated with Study in the States Internship/Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

Step 4. Internship Class Registration

After you complete the Internship & Co-op Acknowledgement Form, the EXCEL Office will proceed in assisting you in registering for a class.

It is essential to follow the instructions provided by SUNY Oswego's EXCEL Office and ensure that the internship experience meets the necessary requirements for course credit evaluation. Class registration can take 3~5 business days.

Upon successful course registration, you will receive an email from the EXCEL office.
 

Step 5. Receive Internship/Co-op (CPT) Approval

On Campus Internships: After the EXCEL Office confirms your enrollment in a credit earning internship course, you are eligible to begin your on-campus internship. Please ensure that you are working only during the dates listed on your Site Verification Form.

Off-Campus Internships: Once the ISSS Office confirms your enrollment in a credit earning internship course, the ISSS office will begin the processes of your CPT Recommended Form I-20 within 1~3 business days. 

Once your CPT Recommended Form I-20 is ready, your will be notified via email with instructions to retrieve your CPT Recommended Form I-20 in your Internship/Co-op (CPT) Application Portal.

Download this Form I-20 and print it out. Once your CPT Recommended Form I-20 is completed, put your wet signature under the STUDENT ATTESTATION section with a pen.

Students must keep all issued Form I-20s as they may need them when they apply for OPT, etc.

Reminders and What’s Next

Now that you are authorized to engage in the internship, please read through the important visa rules for CPT participants.

How can I apply for a Social Security Number (SSN)?

See how to request a Social Security number for the first time. 

Employers should provide the employment verification letter that includes the following information:

  • Employer name
  • Position title
  • Rate of pay
  • Working hours
  • Employment start date
  • Employment end date

Students who obtained the employment verification letter can submit it to the Employment Letter Submission Form for SSN Application (New). 

Once the student submits the Employment Letter Submission Form for SSN Application (New) form, the student will receive an email from us within 1~3 business days with the information on what to do next. 

Confirm your Internship/Co-op (CPT) start and end date!

On-Campus Internship: Review your approved Site Verification Form for your authorized on-campus internship start/end dates.

 

Off-Campus Internship: When you receive your CPT-authorized Form I-20, please print it out and sign it with a pen under the Student Attestation section.

Importantly, please look at page 2 and confirm the CPT start date and end date. Note that you cannot participate in this internship outside of the dates indicated on your I-20. If you'd like to extend your internship for the next term, you should go through the CPT process again. 

Similarly, if you would like to change your employer, you should go through the CPT authorization process again.

What if I would like to discontinue my internship participation?

Internship/Co-op (CPT) participants should not drop the course without consulting it with EXCEL and ISSS. If you would like to discontinue your internship participation, please reach out to EXCEL at [email protected] and ISSS at [email protected]. 

If you have any questions regarding your internship participation, please do not hesitate to reach out to EXCEL and ISSS. 

Other General Questions

Once the student earns an offer letter from the organization how long does the Internship/Co-op (CPT) Authorization process take?

At SUNY Oswego, the current Internship/Co-op (CPT) authorization process can take students anywhere from 2-4 weeks as they need to...

  • work with the ISSS office to ensure that Internship/Co-op (CPT) applicants are compliance with federal regulation
  • work with the EXCEL office to ensure that Internship/Co-op (CPT) applicants meet the institutional internship requirement
  • work with academic advisors to confirm the internship is directly related to their majors/programs per immigration regulations. 

Employers are encouraged to complete the site verification form at their earliest convenience so students can move on to the next step.

In this light, international students may not be able to begin working right away - students and employers are encouraged to take the processing time into consideration and plan ahead. 

What is the student’s role in applying for Internship/Co-op (CPT) authorization?

When completing this process, the student will need to work with employers to provide relevant information such as the start and end dates of work, the organization’s name, the complete physical address of where work will take place, as well as supervisor contact information.

The student is responsible for reaching out to appropriate parties to be educated about the Internship/Co-op (CPT) authorization process and required information. 

Once the Internship/Co-op (CPT) is authorized, it is the student's responsibility to notify the ISSS and EXCEL if there are any changes to the internship including early termination. 

What is the role of the employer for SUNY Oswego international students who are applying for Internship/Co-op (CPT) authorization?

As the employer of a SUNY Oswego Internship/Co-op (CPT) participant, you will be required to provide information relevant to the student’s work on a Site Verification Form. 

Please note, that it is the student’s responsibility to work with SUNY Oswego staff to provide you with this form when applicable. 

Also, it should be in the off-campus employer's best interest to confirm that the student received the "CPT-authorized I-20" before starting the internship to meet the federal requirement. To learn more about the internship start date, please refer to "When can the student intern start working?" under Internship/Co-op (CPT) Rules and Regulations.

Additionally, the supervisor of the student must complete the online evaluation form regularly which is required to report the student's participation. Once the student is authorized for Internship/Co-op (CPT), the supervisor will receive emails from SUNY Oswego's EXCEL office.

Will there be any costs to the employer of a Internship/Co-op (CPT) participant?

No! There is no cost to the employer of a SUNY Oswego CPT participant.

What steps are needed to hire the student for another semester?

All international students are authorized to work for their Internship/Co-op (CPT) work position only for the specific dates of employment listed on their CPT authorized Form I-20 (Off-campus) and/or Site Verification Form (on-campus).

With this, students must go through the Internship/Co-op (CPT) authorization process again for future participation in the internship after their Internship/Co-op (CPT) end date.

If an employer wishes to hire an international student for an additional semester, the employer must ensure that:

  • The student is provided with sufficient time to work with the SUNY Oswego ISSS Office to complete to Internship/Co-op (CPT) authorization process again
  • (Off Campus ONLY) The student must receive a new Internship/Co-op (CPT) authorized Form I-20 with appropriate start and end dates prior to continuing to work beyond the end date of their original CPT.

IMPORTANT: Students who work off-campus full-time CPT for a total of 12 months, are ineligible for OPT (Optional Practical Training) authorization for post-graduation work. 

Contact ISSS

116 Sheldon Hall
315.312.5775
[email protected]