CynthiaMany students come to the United States to study and work. Some schools let students start work from the first day of class. This is called Day 1 CPT. It helps students learn and get job experience at the same time. But to get Day 1 CPT, there are steps to follow. This guide shows each step from getting a job offer to getting the final paper that says work is allowed.
Step One: Pick a School That Offers Day 1 CPT
Not every school gives Day 1 CPT. Some schools ask students to wait before working. So the first thing to do is find a school that allows work on day one. Schools like Monroe University, Trine University, and Westcliff University allow this for some programs. The student must pick a school that fits the job goal and has a Day 1 CPT in the program.
Step Two: Get a Job Offer
To apply for Day 1 CPT, the student must have a job offer. This is a paper from a company that says the student has been hired. The job must be part of the study. For example, if the student is in a computer class, the job should also be in computers. The job offer must have the name of the company, job title, start date, hours, and job duties.
Step Three: Talk to the School Advisor
Once the student has a job offer, it is time to speak to the school. The school gives each student an advisor. This is a helper who knows all the school and CPT rules. The student shows the job offer to the advisor. The advisor checks to make sure the job fits the school program. The job must help the student learn and must not be fake.
Step Four: Fill Out CPT Forms
The school will give the student some forms. These forms ask questions like who is giving the job, what the job is, where it is, and what the hours are. The company that gave the job may also need to fill in some parts. All forms must be filled out correctly and sent back to the school.
Step Five: Sign Up for the CPT Class
Day 1 CPT always comes with a special class. This class is part of the school program. It helps students learn by working. The student must sign up for this class. Without the class, the CPT is not allowed. Some schools give one CPT class each semester. Some give more. The school advisor helps with this part too.
Step Six: Wait for CPT Approval
After the student gives the forms and signs up for class, the school checks everything. The school makes sure all papers are correct. If everything is good, the school sends a new paper called an I-20. This paper shows that CPT is allowed. The new I-20 will say when and where the student can work. The school may take 5 to 15 days to give the paper.
Step Seven: Start the Job
Once the student gets the new I-20 with CPT on it, work can begin. The student can start working on the day listed on the paper. The job must follow the rules. Some jobs are part-time, which means less than 20 hours each week. Some jobs are full-time, which means more than 20 hours. The student must do the job listed on the CPT form.
Step Eight: Go to Class and Work
Even if the student is working, school still comes first. The student must go to class and finish homework. Missing a class can cause problems. The job and school go together. Both must be done. Some schools ask students to come to campus once a month. Some schools ask students to study online with just a few in-person visits. The student must follow the rules for both work and study.
Step Nine: Repeat if Needed
CPT is given one semester at a time. If the student wants to work again in the next semester, a new form is needed. The same steps are done again: get a job letter, fill out the forms, sign up for the CPT class, and wait for a new I-20. Some schools allow CPT every semester if the student keeps going to class and doing well.
Conclusion
Day 1 CPT is a way for students to work and learn at the same time. To get it, the student needs a job offer and must follow each step. First, pick a good school. Next, get the job letter. Then, fill out the forms, sign up for the CPT class, and wait for the new I-20. After that, start working and keep going to class. This helps students grow, learn, and get ready for the future. Picking the right school and doing things step by step makes everything work better.