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International Office

SURF Program Information for International Students

Special Requirements for International Students

International students enrolled in associate's or bachelor's degree-granting programs at U.S. colleges or universities are eligible to participate in the SURF Program on either the La Jolla or Jupiter campus of Scripps Research.

Once SURF offers are made, international students must discuss securing employment authorization with an international student advisor at their home institution. The type of required authorization will depend on the type of visa the student possesses. International students who are on an F-1 visa will be required to apply for either Curricular or Optional Practical Training, while students currently in the U.S. on a J-1 student visa must apply for Academic Training.

If you have received an offer to participate in the SURF Program and, after consulting with your current academic institution, still have questions about securing work authorization, you may contact an advisor in the Scripps International Office for additional guidance and information. The International Office can be reached by phone at (858) 784-8120 or by email at tsriglobal@scripps.edu.

Practical Training for F-1 Students in the U.S.

Curricular Practical Training: This type of practical training can be granted through a student's current academic institution and does not require an application to be submitted to the Immigration Service. Each college or university in the U.S. has established specific guidelines and procedures for authorizing Curricular Practical Training. To find out the specific qualifications for this type of Practical Training, students should stop by and talk with an international student advisor at their current academic institutions.

Optional Practical Training: This type of practical training requires students to submit an application for work authorization directly to the Immigration Service. Prior to submitting this application, students must secure a written endorsement from an international student advisor at their schools. Therefore, students should stop by their international student programs offices to discuss this endorsement and application.

CAUTION: The Immigration Service may take in excess of 3 months to approve an application for Optional Practical Training. Once this application is approved, the Immigration Service will send the student an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Students are NOT allowed to begin SURF until they have received this EAD from the Immigration Service.

Academic Training for J-1 Students in the U.S.

Academic Training is granted through a student's home institution and does not require an application to be submitted to the Immigration Service. Each college or university in the U.S. has established specific guidelines and procedures for authorizing Academic Training. To find out the specific qualifications for this type of employment authorization, students should stop by and talk with an international student advisor at their current academic institutions.