Graduated F1 student with $20 dollars left in my bank account. What are my options to sustain myself?

[sam1985cs 0]

I am an international student and I recently graduated from a masters program. I have applied for opt. I expect to get

The  EAD card by March 15th. Right now I am in  a dire situation. I have around $20 left in my bank account.

I cannot work on campus since I already graduated. I approached few restaurants to apply for jobs. They asked me to fill a form.Since my degree is in STEM, it would be illegal to work in a restaurant. My parents are already retired and I have paid huge amount of money to fund my education and I don't want to ask them for funds. I have already borrowed money from my friends in the past(and paid them ontime). I am reluctant to ask them again.

I don't know how I can sustain myself for the next 2 months. Is there a way to seek permission to work oncampus/off-campus based on my situation? If I make a request, how long does it take to get approved? I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks for reading this.

[Ben&Zian 4,397]

Doubt you can get any 'permission' to work on or off campus, would need your EAD.

 

What state is this? Perhaps there is some sort of "special" assistance program available there to you.

[almost_umrican 53]

The immigration policy of this country should treat prospective immigrants graduating with Masters in STEM fields with respect and extra care. these are the best brains in the world who have contributed to the US with exorbitant fees as international students. Most of the them end up finding work (well paid) after some struggle but the government need to get this that these people are law abiding people who will be great US citizens. i guess what i am trying to say is the path to citizenship for these people should be expedited.we all know how the employers to these foreign students treat them like in lieu of sponsoring their green cards. i would like to wish the OP good luck. May all your troubles be little ones. 

Edited January 12, 2017 by almost_umrican

[KierenHby 897]

How is US immigration policy responsible for OP's lack of funds? 

 

International students chose to study at their own discretion; they aren't forced to do so by anyone. Students are responsible to maintain a source of funds while in the US. 

[sam1985cs 0]

2 hours ago, almost_umrican said:

The immigration policy of this country should treat prospective immigrants graduating with Masters in STEM fields with respect and extra care. these are the best brains in the world who have contributed to the US with exorbitant fees as international students. Most of the them end up finding work (well paid) after some struggle but the government need to get this that these people are law abiding people who will be great US citizens. i guess what i am trying to say is the path to citizenship for these people should be expedited.we all know how the employers to these foreign students treat them like in lieu of sponsoring their green cards. i would like to wish the OP good luck. May all your troubles be little ones. 

Whatever you have written is absolutely true. Thank you for your kind words. 

 

2 hours ago, Ben&Zian said:

What state is this? Perhaps there is some sort of "special" assistance program available there to you.

I am studying in one of the well known universities in California. It's a top 10 program for STEM.

 

1 hour ago, KierenHby said:

Students are responsible to maintain a source of funds while in the US. 

I completely agree with you. I interned during the summer and I was able to sustain myself with that savings for the past 3 months. Now I have deplete all of my funds and I am looking for suggestions to deal with this. I was able to find emergency food in a local church, but I don't want to go there every 14 days. I just want to work for temporary duration to pay my bills. That's all.

[KierenHby 897]

23 minutes ago, sam1985cs said:

I completely agree with you. I interned during the summer and I was able to sustain myself with that savings for the past 3 months. Now I have deplete all of my funds and I am looking for suggestions to deal with this. I was able to find emergency food in a local church, but I don't want to go there every 14 days. I just want to work for temporary duration to pay my bills. That's all.

Cannot work without authorization. Talk to school admins about alternatives to illegal work. 

Close friends or relatives to help out until EAD? 

[aaron2020 11,651]

You will not get special permission to work to tie yourself over.  One of the requirements of your student visa is the ability to support yourself.  Your choices are to go to rely on charities or ask your family and friends for help.  Best of luck. 

[Ontarkie 13,902]

~~Inappropriate and condescending post removed. Any further similar post will result in administrative action.~~

[Boiler 43,393]

Even with OPT you need to find a job and it is only temporary.

 

What are your longer term plans? Go home and get a job there seems most obvious.

[f f 725]

you should also consider that when looking for jobs you need to be presentable so sleeping rough is not a good idea. also your first paycheck could be 3 weeks after you start working if they pay every other week and hold your pay a week. hindsight is to start looking before you graduate but mabye you can go to your home country and live with parents then look for work in the us and come back when you get in person interviews?

[s + j 71]

Contact USCIS to see if you can expedite your EAD application.

[f f 725]

1 minute ago, s + j said:

Contact USCIS to see if you can expedite your EAD application.

a qualifying job offer in hand would be needed. otherwise there is no way to know if it is needed tomorrow or in 6 months. that being said not having the ead does not prevent you from looking for work and interviewing it just stops you from starting the job.

[KurosawaSan 52]

9 minutes ago, f f said:

a qualifying job offer in hand would be needed. otherwise there is no way to know if it is needed tomorrow or in 6 months. that being said not having the ead does not prevent you from looking for work and interviewing it just stops you from starting the job.

This. Please, please, please start interviewing. Once you have the EAD in hand, you want to start working ASAP.

[kzielu 1,144]

18 hours ago, almost_umrican said:

The immigration policy of this country should treat prospective immigrants graduating with Masters in STEM fields with respect and extra care. these are the best brains in the world who have contributed to the US with exorbitant fees as international students. Most of the them end up finding work (well paid) after some struggle but the government need to get this that these people are law abiding people who will be great US citizens. i guess what i am trying to say is the path to citizenship for these people should be expedited.we all know how the employers to these foreign students treat them like in lieu of sponsoring their green cards. i would like to wish the OP good luck. May all your troubles be little ones. 

You realize that right now he has absolutely no path to citizenship ? Not even remotely close, OPT certainly isn't one. Neither permanent residency.... Your post makes no sense - coming in here an paying fees, they were fully aware of that. I feel obviously bad for him, but with all due respect - one of best brain in the world would have planned better....

[sam1985cs 0]

8 hours ago, s + j said:

Contact USCIS to see if you can expedite your EAD application.

I am thinking of either calling the customer care or writing a letter. I am not sure the first option works. Writing a letter and getting a response obviously takes more time.