International
Students

• A DSO will assist in gathering your financial records and information to create your I-20, help in your transition to GCU, and meet with you regularly each semester for registration.
• Some things that you will meet with your DSO for:
  • Semesterly check-ins for registration.
  • Updating information in your SEVIS record (including address, major, phone numbers, etc).
  • Internship (CPT) documentation.
  • Optional-Practical Training (OPT) application.

Speak with your DSO if you are planning to do any of the following:

• Change your major, program, or degree level.
• Change your education level.
• Transfer to a new school.
• Consider taking a medical or academic reduced course load.
• Travel outside of the USA.
• Move to a new address.
• Need to request a program extension.

Talk to your DSO about working or interning.

Only on-campus work is permitted:

• According to visa regulations, no F-1 student may work over 20 hours per week during the semester.
• Georgian Court University regulations state that no student may work over 20 hours for on-campus jobs.
• No work off-campus is permitted unless it is a preapproved paid internship (see below).
• CPT is a full-time or part-time internship during the semester or during the summer. CPT must be approved by your DSO and added to your I-20 prior to internship start date.
• Students participating in Graduate Assistantships can only participate in 20 hours of work across all jobs during the semester.

• It is your responsibility to enroll in a health insurance plan that will cover the costs of prescriptions and medical treatment(s) while studying in the United States.  
• Individuals in the United States are responsible for these expenses themselves.  
• All international students are required to have health care coverage that can be utilized in the United States while studying at GCU thus potentially mitigating some of the costs associated with health care-related expenses. 
• Some suggested health insurance options:
  • ExchangeGuard 
  • Patriot Exchange Program 
  • Student Secure  
  • Student Health Advantage  
  • Study USA 
  • Navigator Student  
  • Patriot America  
  • International Student Insurance

Yes. International students can study abroad from abroad.

To learn more, please visit our study abroad programs.

Yes. As an international student, you can get a driver’s license. To apply, please visit:

New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
Leisure Center, 1195 NJ-70 #9, Lakewood, NJ 08701

What to bring (6 points of ID):

• Passport
• Most recent I-94
• Original 1-20
• A social security card (if you have one)

Visit the New Jersey motor vehicle commission website for more information.

As an international student, you must get a social security card if you have a job on campus or paid internship. The social security office is located at 2620 Yorktowne Blvd, Brick Township, NJ 08723.

Here’s what you need to bring with you:

1. F-1 visas (copy)
2. GCU Employment letter (signed by work supervisor and DSO)
3. Social Security application
4. I-94 form
5. I-20 (original & copy)
6. Passport (original & copy)

Please note the office is walk-in only

Yes, if your program of study requires you to complete an internship then you can get approval from your DSO to add CPT to your I-20.

• What is Curricular Practical Training (CPT)?
  • CPT is an in internship that relates directly to the student’s major area of study and occurs before the program end date on a student’s I-20 form. Visit this website for more information.
• Do I need approval for CPT based outside of the USA?
  • If the student or internship is based in the USA then DSO approval is needed.
  • International students who will be conducting their internships outside the U.S. do not need U.S. work authorization.
• Can I get a paid internship?
  • Yes, you can get a paid or unpaid internship.
• What are the requirements for CPT?
  • Must be directly related to your major area of study.
  • Needs to be an integral part of your program’s curriculum.
  • Complete the 2 forms listed on our Blackboard.
  • Can only be authorized before your program end date on the I-20.
  • Authorization for one specific employer in a designated period.
  • CPT needs to be authorized before you can begin working.
  • The number of hours for the internship depends upon the student’s internship program requirements.
  • Must complete two consecutive semesters of full-time coursework in the USA to be eligible to apply for CPT.
  • Curricular Practical Training (ice.gov)

• What is Optional Practical Training (OPT)?
  • OPT is a temporary employment related to the student’s major area of study that occurs after a student graduates.
  • Students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization.
• When should I start applying to OPT?
  • You can apply up to 90 days before your program end date, or 60 days after the program end date.
  • Planning Tool for Post Completion OPT | Study in the States (dhs.gov).
  • OPT can take 1-4 months for approval in processing time.
• Does OPT have to be connected to my major?
  • Yes. The job needs to be connected with your field of study.
  • If you are completing a double major then you can choose which major you want to base the work on from those options.
  • You cannot work in the field of your minor, it needs to be connected to your major degree field.
• Documents needed for re-entering the US while on OPT:
  • Valid I-20, Valid F-1 visa, valid passport, Valid Employment authorization document (EAD), and evidence of a job offer.