Overview
Length of work authorization: Up to one year (or earlier if you transfer universities, change degree programs, fall out of F1 status, or finish your degree.)
You must first apply for economic hardship with USCIS to receive employment authorization. To this end, the USCIS application fee is $470. This fee is nonrefundable, even if your application is denied.
Time for USCIS decision: approximately 3 months
Employment allowed: total of 20 hours per week during the academic year. You can work more than 20 hours per week during semester breaks. Note: The 20 hours per week allowed through economic hardship and the 20 hour per week on-campus work authorization do not add to each other. The maximum hours you are allowed to work is 20 hours total each week. Keep in mind that Boise State University graduate assistantship positions account for 20 hours per week of employment.
To qualify under this provision you must demonstrate that the employment is necessary to avoid a severe economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances beyond your control and that on-campus employment opportunities are unavailable or insufficient to meet your needs (ex. less than 20 hours per week are available).