F-1 Special Student Relief (SSR)

Special Student Relief (SSR) is a benefit authorized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that allows F-1 students from specific countries or regions experiencing severe economic hardship due to emergent circumstances to request temporary relief measures. These measures aim to support affected students by offering more flexibility in their academic and employment conditions while maintaining F-1 visa compliance.

Eligibility Criteria for SSR

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announces Special Student Relief (SSR) through a Federal Register (FR) notice when the Secretary determines that an event qualifies as "emergent circumstances."  A complete list of currently eligible countries and detailed SSR information is available on the DHS website; refer to the relevant section located midway down the page.

You may be eligible for SSR if you:

• Are the citizen of a country specified in an FR notice.
• Have lawfully resided in the United States for the dates indicated in the FR notice.
• Have reported on time to your designated school official (DSO) and been enrolled full-time at SBU.
• Are currently maintaining F-1 status.
• Are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the emergent circumstances in your country of citizenship.

SSR Benefits

F-1 students eligible for SSR may receive the following benefits:

On-Campus Employment Flexibility:

• • Students may work more than 20 hours per week on campus with SSR authorization.

Off-Campus Employment:

• • SSR allows eligible students to apply for off-campus employment authorization through Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.
  • Students can work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during breaks.

Reduced Course Load (RCL):

• • With SSR authorization, students can reduce their course load to part-time while maintaining F-1 status.
  • Undergraduate students must enroll in at least 6 credits, and graduate students must enroll in at least 3 credits.

Application Process

To apply for SSR benefits, follow these steps:

1. Consult with an International Student Advisor: Schedule a meeting with your International Student Advisor to discuss your situation and confirm whether you meet the eligibility criteria for SSR.
2. Submit the Special Student Relief (SSR) eform in accessVIS, uploading copies of your immigration documents, and providing a statement which demonstrates how your financial situation has changed as a direct result of the emergent conditions in your country of citizenship.
3. If requesting off-campus work authorization:
   • • Gather the required materials and file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
     • Important: Do not file Form I-765 until you have received an updated Form I-20 from your International Student Advisor, which includes the necessary recommendation for off-campus employment.

Important Considerations

• SSR authorizations are typically valid for a specific period tied to the DHS designation of emergent circumstances. Students must comply with expiration dates and renew applications as needed.
• Reducing your course load or engaging in off-campus employment without proper authorization may result in a violation of F-1 status.
• SSR does not eliminate the need to maintain valid F-1 status, including staying enrolled and making normal academic progress.

Please note that SSR and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) are different. TPS may be offered to various visa classifications, when applicable, including F-1 students. However, SSR, when applicable, is offered only to eligible F-1 students.