J-1 Academic Training (AT)

Eligibility  

 To be eligible for Academic Training:  

• You are in the U.S. primarily for study in a full-time academic program in J-1 status.  
• You are in good academic standing at Quinnipiac University.  
• You are participating in academic training that is directly related to your major field of study.  
• You must apply before the completion of your academic program.  
• Your employment/training must take place with the specific employer or employers who are noted on the academic training authorization letter.  
• You must receive an authorization letter in advance for the duration and type of academic training from a responsible officer or alternate responsible officer at Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS). This authorization must be processed before the end date on the Form DS-2019 or before the official date of the degree program completion, whichever comes first.  

Important: You cannot lawfully begin employment until an OISS advisor has approved your application and issued you a letter authorizing your Academic Training. If your AT will take place after you complete your studies, you will also be issued a new DS-2019. You should present the authorization letter, along with your DS-2019 and passport, to your employer. 

Time Limitations  

The maximum period of AT that can be granted is 18 months in total. However, if the total duration of your studies in the U.S. is less than 18 months, AT will only be granted for a period of up to the equivalent of the duration of your program (e.g. 4 months of study will only allow 4 months of AT).  

Applying for Academic Training  

J-1 students must apply for AT authorization from the Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS) before beginning employment. AT must be authorized for a specific employer, location, and time period; therefore, you must have a job offer at the time of application. If there is a change of employer, job location, or dates of employment, you must reapply for AT before continuing to work.  

J-1 students may be authorized for multiple AT positions simultaneously but must submit a job offer and advisor's letter for each position.

1. Obtain a formal employment offer letter,  written on official stationery (letterhead) from your potential academic training employer. The job offer letter from your employer must include: 
   
   • Your job title 
   • A brief description of the goals and objectives of your training or employment 
   • Dates and location of training or employment 
   • Number of hours per week, salary and benefits 
   • Name and title of your training supervisor 
2. Obtain a letter of recommendation from your program sponsor, academic advisor or dean recommending this academic training. You will need to provide the advisor with a copy of your employment offer letter. The recommendation letter from your academic advisor or dean must include: 
   • The goals and objectives of the specific training program 
   • A description of the training program, including all the information listed above 
   • How the training relates to your major field of study 
   • Why this employment is an integral or critical part of your academic program 
   • The length of time necessary to complete the goals and objectives of the academic training 
3. Complete an Academic Training Request in the ISS Portal. You will need to complete the required information in the form and upload the two letters. The request will be reviewed by your academic advisor and the OISS advisor. 

If you are applying for AT to take place after you complete your studies, you must also upload the following documents: 

• Evidence of financial support in the amount of at least $2,000 per month to cover living expenses  
• Evidence of health insurance coverage for the post-completion academic training period.  The coverage must comply with the J-1 health insurance minimum requirements.  

Academic Training After Completion of Studies  

If you are considering post-completion academic training, your authorization must be processed before your official academic program completion date. In addition, the academic training/employment must begin within the first 30 days after the official academic program completion date.  

If you intend to leave the U.S. after you complete your program of study you must obtain academic training authorization from OISS before you leave. If you do not receive this authorization, you will lose your eligibility for academic training. 

A new DS-2019 must be issued to extend your J-1 program to cover the post-completion AT period. If the post-completion AT position is unpaid, or the compensation is insufficient to cover living expenses during the extended program period, you must provide proof of adequate financial support from another source (e.g. family or government) before post-completion AT will be authorized. You must also continue to maintain U.S.-based health insurance coverage meeting the J-1 minimum requirements for yourself and your dependents.