1. Severe Economic Hardship Request Form:
Fully explain the unforeseen circumstances that are causing you financial difficulties.
Click here to download the Severe Economic Hardship request form


2. Sponsor's Affidavit of Severe Economic Hardship:
If your request is based on an unexpected change in the financial ability of your sponsor to continue to provide you with the same level of funding as previously, have your sponsor complete this affidavit.
Click here to download the affidavit to be completed by your sponsor


3. Form I-538:
Complete Section A, items 1-6, and sign and date.

Item #3-	Student Admission number is the number from your For I-94 Arrival/Departure Record. It is also found on you I-20. It is not your college identification number.
Item #4-	Date first granted F-1 status is the date you first entered the US as an F-1, or were granted a change to F-1 status. It is found on the first I-20 you ever had.
Item #5-	Level of education being sought is Associate's, Bachelor's, Masters., Etc.

4. Form I-765:
Complete items 1-15.

Item #3-	Your current mailing address in the US.
Item #9-	If you do not have a social security number, leave this blank. ISSO will give you instructions for obtaining a social security number after you have receive an EAD card.
Item #10-	"A-number" or "I-94 Number". Enter the same admission number from your I-94 card unless INS previously assigned you an "A-number".
Item #11-	Indicate if you ever applied for hardship employment or practical training before (excluding curricular). If "yes", enter where and when you applied, and whether it was granted or denied. You will need to attach a photocopy of the Form I-20 or Employment Authorization Document card that contains that employment authorization to the application.
Your certification- Sign, indicate your telephone number and date.

5. Form I-765 Signature Card:
Sign the card in the blue box marked "signature" in black ink Your signature must fit within the blue box.

6. Two photographs:
Ask for "green card type" photo where passport photos are available.

Lightly print your name and I-94 # on the back of each photo in pencil.

7. $100 Fee:
In the form of a check or money order payable to the "Immigration and Naturalization Service."

8. I-20 ID from the Borough of Manhattan Community College (the original document).

9. Photocopies of your current I-94 card (both sides) passport and visa,

10. Letter of employment:
Only required if you are requesting "expeditious" handling due to an offer of employment.

Your severe economic hardship recommendation will be ready for you to pick up and mail to INS within one week.