Special Student Relief (SSR) is a specific F-1 student benefit for currently enrolled students. It is not a separate immigration status, but if approved:
If your country is eligible for both Temporary Protected Status and SSR, you are strongly encouraged to discuss your options with an experienced immigration attorney before applying for either benefit. If you are not sure where to start, please reach out to us.
Citizens of certain countries are made eligible for SSR through Federal Register notices. You must have been lawfully present in the U.S. for the time period specified in the Federal Register notice to be eligible for SSR. As of March 2023, SSR is currently available for the following countries ONLY:
The application process for SSR requires a new Form I-20 issued by ISSS, so if you are interested in applying, you should email isss@tamu.edu with your full name and UIN with the following information:
You should continue to follow all rules of your F-1 status until you receive authorization from ISS and/or USCIS to work additional hours on campus, to work off-campus, and/or to reduce your course load.
Note: You are not eligible to apply for SSR once you have graduated from your academic program.
F-1 Special Student Relief Fact Sheet
- It allows a student to work more than 20 hours per week in on-campus employment during major semesters and/or to work off-campus.
- It allows a student to enroll less than full-time while continuing to maintain F-1 status during major semesters.
If your country is eligible for both Temporary Protected Status and SSR, you are strongly encouraged to discuss your options with an experienced immigration attorney before applying for either benefit. If you are not sure where to start, please reach out to us.
Citizens of certain countries are made eligible for SSR through Federal Register notices. You must have been lawfully present in the U.S. for the time period specified in the Federal Register notice to be eligible for SSR. As of March 2023, SSR is currently available for the following countries ONLY:
- Afghanistan
- Burma (Myanmar)
- Cameroon
- Ethiopia
- Haiti
- Hong Kong
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Ukraine
- Venezuela
- Yemen
The application process for SSR requires a new Form I-20 issued by ISSS, so if you are interested in applying, you should email isss@tamu.edu with your full name and UIN with the following information:
- Explain that you want to apply for Special Student Relief (SSR)
- Specify if you currently have any authorization for on- or off-campus employment.
- Specify if you want to increase your on-campus employment hours, if you want to work off-campus, and/or if you want to reduce your course enrollment requirements.
- If you want to apply for authorization to work off-campus, you must apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) for severe economic hardship work authorization from USCIS after receiving the new Form I-20 from ISSS
- Indicate the specific dates and academic terms during which you want the benefits above
- Specify your anticipated graduation date.
- Provide a detailed explanation about your financial situation to explain how you are impacted by the crisis in your country and why you need the SSR authorization. Clarify how you are currently funding your educational and living expenses. If applicable, specify any TAMU funding you already receive.
You should continue to follow all rules of your F-1 status until you receive authorization from ISS and/or USCIS to work additional hours on campus, to work off-campus, and/or to reduce your course load.
Note: You are not eligible to apply for SSR once you have graduated from your academic program.
F-1 Special Student Relief Fact Sheet