Academic Training (AT) for J-1 Students 

 

Academic Training (AT) is work authorization for off-campus employment related to your field of study. 

The length of Academic Training should be no longer than the time spent studying on the J-1 exchange program, and has a maximum limit of 18 months.  "A student can engage in up to 18 months [of Academic Training] or the period of the full course of study, whichever is less."

Academic Training can be full time or part time, paid or unpaid.  (Students are only eligible for full-time Academic Training during school breaks or following completion of program.)

Eligibility

• You must participate in academic training that is directly related to your major field of study at your home university. 

• You must be in good academic standing.

• You must have a written offer for your academic training.  
   

Required Materials

• Offer letter - (SAMPLE AT Offer Letter)
  Letter MUST include the following information:

  • Name of Organization

  • Student's Job Title

  • Supervisor's Name

  • Location where opportunity will take place; organization’s address.

  • Start date and end date.

  • How many hours you will work per week.

  • A description of the goals and objectives of the training.

  • Is the AT opportunity paid or unpaid. 

• Electronic Recommendation from home university advisor.  (completed through My ISS-Profile)​

   

Procedure

1. Ensure that your address is current in my.newpaltz.edu and that no holds exist on your record.

2. Log in to your My ISS-Profile.   

3. Click on “2. Requests.”  

4. Under “What Can We Help You With”, see your request options, and click on the request you would like to make. 

5. You will need to upload your offer letter. 

6. Request Electronic Recommendation from your academic advisor at your home university.

7. Complete the Add Student Academic Training form. 

8. Submit.  

You will receive an email from the International Student Services office once your updated DS-2019 has been issued.

Deadline:
You must MUST complete the approval process BEFORE your current DS-2019 expires.
You have to begin Academic Training no later than 30 days after your exchange program has finished.
 

Special Considerations

**IMPORTANT:  If you are participating in Academic Training after your program ends, you MUST complete the approval process BEFORE your current DS-2019 expires.  You will need an extension of your DS-2019 and we cannot extend your current DS-2019 after your program end date.**

- One semester (Fall or Spring) Exchange/Visiting students are allowed four (4) months of Academic Training after the semester is completed.

- Two semester Exchange/Visiting students (Fall and Spring) are eligible for a total of nine (9) months of Academic Training. 

- You must extend your current SUNY International Student Insurance for the duration of your stay in the US. 

- Academic Training opportunity can be full-time or part-time.  Students are only eligible for full-time Academic Training during school breaks or following completion of program. 

- Academic Training opportunity can be paid or unpaid.
 

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