UC International Services to Host Co-op Workshops for F-1 Students

First, the detected resources in order of appearance:
1. Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 Students
2. Form I-765
3. SEVIS
4. USCIS Form I-765
5. STEM OPT extension

I have added up to five .gov links (only the first mention of each resource in the article body) using the exact resource names as they appear. No other content or formatting was changed.

(CINCINNATI, OHIO) UC International Services is stepping up direct support for international students on the F-1 visa who plan to take part in a co-op, keeping guidance steady and practical as the fall term begins.

After a spring 2025 webinar focused on how Curricular Practical Training (CPT) connects with Optional Practical Training (OPT), staff say the core rules remain the same: don’t start any off-campus co-op until CPT is authorized on your Form I-20, stay within the dates and hours listed, and plan early so you don’t hurt your future OPT options. The session was led by James Tenney, Associate Director of UC International Services, alongside Kristy Stewart from the College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies, reflecting UC’s continued effort to explain immigration-compliant pathways for experiential learning in the United States 🇺🇸.

No sudden policy changes have been announced in recent weeks, but the university continues to hold workshops and track national developments.

Key CPT basics and the core rule

• CPT is the main path for F-1 students to work in off-campus co-ops that are a required part of their degree plan.
• Examples include majors where co-op rotations are built into the curriculum, such as many programs in the College of Engineering and Applied Science.
• UC International Services stresses a simple rule: CPT must be printed on your I-20 before you begin work. Starting early—even by one day—risks losing status.

Staff members at UC are the only people who can update SEVIS (the federal student tracking system) and are responsible for reporting violations. Students, however, carry the daily duty to follow the rules and ask questions whenever anything is unclear.

CPT vs OPT: the planning trade-off

The most pressing planning issue this year is the limit on full-time CPT if you want to keep OPT after graduation.

• Full-time CPT of more than 365 days removes post-completion OPT eligibility.
• Part-time CPT (less than 20 hours per week) does not count toward that threshold.
• Because many UC majors include multiple co-ops, advisors urge students to schedule thoughtfully, especially STEM students aiming for 12 months of post-completion OPT + a 24‑month STEM OPT extension.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the trade-off between using full-time CPT now and preserving OPT later is one of the most common—and avoidable—problems when students don’t plan early with academic and international advisors.

Process: how to get CPT and what to expect

UC’s message is consistent: when a co-op is a required course, CPT is the correct work authorization. The process typically follows these steps:

1. Enroll in the co-op course tied to your program (examples: Lindner College of Business uses LPE 3000/4000 or 3001/4001 to trigger CPT eligibility).
2. Secure a job offer with clear dates, hours, and duties.
3. Submit a CPT request through UC International Services.
4. Wait for the CPT notation to appear on page two of the Form I-20 with employer name, location, dates, and hours per week.
5. Begin work only after CPT is printed on your I-20.

Processing times can vary—especially before term starts—so students are urged to apply well before the first day on the job. Working off-campus without the printed CPT is unauthorized employment.

On-campus work vs off-campus CPT

• On-campus work: F-1 students can work on campus up to 20 hours per week during the academic term without CPT.
• Off-campus co-op/internship that’s part of your program: requires CPT.
• Students must remain enrolled full-time in semesters when they are not on an approved co-op term.
• Always keep your SEVIS record current (report new address, phone number, or CPT employment changes).

Multiple co-ops and the 365-day cap

• Multiple co-ops are allowed if the program requires them. UC can authorize CPT for each required term.
• The key constraint: >365 days full-time CPT = loss of post-completion OPT.
• Many students avoid that outcome by:
  • Mixing in part-time CPT (which does not count toward the 365-day cap), or
  • Limiting total full-time CPT to fewer than 365 days.
• Advisors encourage mapping all co-op terms and comparing total full-time CPT days against post-graduation plans.

Benefits for STEM students and OPT basics

• OPT lets F-1 graduates work for up to 12 months in a job related to their major.
• If your degree is on the DHS STEM Designated Degree List, you may apply for an additional 24 months of STEM OPT, for a total of up to three years of work authorization.
• A solid co-op record can improve chances of a post-grad job that pairs well with OPT and future employer sponsorship (e.g., H‑1B).

UC’s recommended CPT checklist (summary)

• Confirm the co-op is required for your major.
• Collect a detailed offer letter: job title, duties, worksite, dates, and weekly hours.
• Enroll in the correct co-op course for your college.
• Submit a CPT request early to UC International Services.
• Wait for the updated I-20 showing CPT before starting work.
• Follow the exact dates and hours authorized.
• If anything shifts, tell UC International Services immediately.

CPT vs OPT: administrative differences

• CPT:
  • Tied to your curriculum; must be authorized by your school and printed on your I-20.
  • No separate USCIS adjudication.
• OPT:
  • Typically used after program completion (post-completion OPT) and requires applying to USCIS with Form I-765 (includes a filing fee and processing time).
• UC recommends choosing the right path based on whether the experience is required and on the timing in your academic timeline.

For federal guidance on OPT, UC points students to USCIS’s official resource: Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 Students.

Common mistakes highlighted in the spring 2025 webinar

• Accepting an offer quickly and trying to fix paperwork later. Order matters: CPT must be on your I-20 before day one.
• Exceeding part-time limits: part-time CPT is <20 hours/week. Going over converts it to full-time and may add to the 365-day cap.
• Forgetting to request an end-date extension if the employer extends the co-op. Working beyond the printed end date without an updated I-20 is unauthorized.
• Advisors suggest keeping a digital calendar reminder one week before any CPT end date to request changes in time.

“You must have CPT printed on your I-20 before day one on the job.” — UC advisors’ recurring message

Employer responsibilities and best practices

UC asks employers to:

• Provide clear offer letters containing job title, duties, worksite, dates, and weekly hours.
• Confirm the student’s I-20 lists their company before the start date.
• Notify UC if remote/in-person plans, location, or hours change—these may require a CPT update.

Clear communication reduces last-minute delays and legal risk for the student. If employers have questions, UC encourages them to call or email the office.

Practical reminders and warnings

• Do not work before CPT is on your I-20. Even onboarding activities can count as work.
• Keep a copy of your CPT I-20 with you when you start and for HR verification.
• Respect the hour limits listed (part-time < 20 hours/week).
• Track full-time CPT days: more than 365 days = end of OPT eligibility.
• Enroll in the correct co-op course each term; missing enrollment can block CPT.
• Report changes quickly to UC International Services so they can update SEVIS.

Unpaid internships can still be considered employment for F-1 purposes if you’re providing services that benefit the employer. If the experience is off campus and part of your academic program, obtain CPT approval before starting, even if unpaid.

STEM OPT specifics

• For a STEM OPT extension, you must file a Form I-983 training plan with your school during the STEM OPT period and keep it updated if the job changes.
• To apply for initial OPT you submit Form I-765 to USCIS.
• Official form links:
  • Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization: USCIS Form I-765
  • Form I-983, Training Plan for STEM OPT Students: SEVP Form I-983 (PDF)

Students should start these processes months ahead of deadlines to avoid delays.

Typical co-op planning examples

• Example 1: First co-op part-time (spring), second full-time (summer), third part-time (fall), graduate following spring — this mix can keep full-time CPT under 365 days while providing job experience.
• Example 2: Two required full-time co-ops plus a lighter third rotation to preserve OPT.

In every case, the best path depends on your major’s rules and personal career goals.

Risks of unauthorized work and corrective actions

UC International Services is direct: unauthorized work can lead to termination of your SEVIS record and loss of legal status. Reinstatement is difficult and not guaranteed.

• Do not work until CPT appears on your I-20.
• Stop working on the listed end date unless you have an updated I-20.
• If you realize you made a mistake, contact UC immediately—the sooner they know, the more options they may have.

Communications, workshops, and monitoring

UC holds regular workshops and posts recordings so students can revisit key points. The spring 2025 webinar drew wide interest by addressing gray areas such as hybrid schedules, project-based staffing, and remote work—all of which require careful CPT descriptions and sometimes more frequent updates.

Although core rules haven’t changed, the realities of modern work mean students should keep their I-20s current and precise.

Contact information and office support

UC International Services publishes contact details and office hours so students can get answers quickly.

• Phone: +1 513‑556‑4278
• The website lists email contacts, drop-in times, and links to recorded workshops.

Students are urged to set reminders around add/drop periods and common co-op start dates to allow time for CPT processing.

Final guidance and outlook

Policy watchers don’t expect sudden shifts this semester, but UC will adjust guidance if federal agencies publish updates. If national rules change, UC typically sends notices and holds quick-turn webinars.

Until then, UC’s steady advice stands:

• Confirm your co-op is required
• Get CPT on your I-20 before you start
• Stay within authorized dates and hours
• Plan your total CPT to keep OPT open for after graduation

Students, employers, and families can view CPT and OPT as parts of a single pathway: learn in class, apply skills through required co-ops, then step into early career jobs with OPT. UC’s role is to ensure each step follows the rules while giving students the best chance to build a strong resume and a clear post-graduation path.

For now, UC International Services’ message is firm and student-focused: follow the steps, ask questions early, keep your I-20 accurate, and protect your future work options. With that approach, F-1 students can make the most of UC’s co-op tradition and build careers that start in Cincinnati and stretch across the United States.