Special Student Relief (SSR)

Special Student Relief (SSR) is the suspension of certain regulatory requirements by the secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for an F-1 student from parts of the world that are experiencing emergent circumstances. Regulatory requirements that may be suspended or altered for an F-1 student include a full course of study and on- and off-campus employment eligibility.  

BENEFITS OF SPECIAL STUDENT RELIEF

1. Ability to work on-campus over 20 hours per week during Fall and Spring semesters for the duration of the notice for your country, OR apply for off-campus work permission 
2. Ability to reduce course load (RCL) in during the Fall and Spring semesters for the duration of the notice for your country 
   1. The RCL benefit is optional, but the reduced course load benefit is only available to students who apply for SSR and obtain work authorization through the notice, and is not available separately 
   2. Students approved for the RCL benefit through SSR must remain in enrolled in at least 6 credits for undergraduates or 3 credits for graduate students each Fall and Spring semester for the duration of the SSR benefits 
3. Students must apply and receive a special I-20 that shows permission for these benefits 

A KIC Immigration Advisor will decide whether a student meets the eligibility criteria to apply for SSR. 

The Department of Homeland Security has suspended certain regulatory requirements for F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country is listed below:  

SSR Programs	Effective Start Date*	End Date
Afghanistan (citizens)	May 22, 2022	November 23, 2023
Burma / Myanmar (citizens)	May 25, 2021	May 25, 2024
Cameroon (citizens)	June 7, 2022	December 7, 2023
Ethiopia (citizens)	December 12, 2022	June 12, 2024
Haiti (citizens)	August 3, 2021	February 3, 2023
Hong Kong (residents)	November 26, 2021	February 5, 2023
Somalia (citizens)	September 18, 2021	March 17, 2023
Syria (citizens)	April 22, 2021	April 1, 2024
Yemen (citizens)	September 4, 2021	March 3, 2023
South Sudan (citizens)	March 3, 2022	November 3, 2023
Ukraine (citizens)	April 19, 2022	October 19, 2023
Sudan (citizens)	April 19, 2022	October 19, 2023

 

 

 

Additional SSR Information

SSR Informational Powerpoint

Info Meeting Audio Recording

How to apply for Special Student Relief

Start The Process Here