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

[sam1985cs 0]

I came here with an intention of finding a solution. Some of the comments were downright insulting. I don't want to waste anyones time and I will not make this thread unnecessarily longer by replying to such comments

[Boiler 43,434]

GoFundMe?

[Mollie09 1,543]

42 minutes ago, sam1985cs said:

I came here with an intention of finding a solution. Some of the comments were downright insulting. I don't want to waste anyones time and I will not make this thread unnecessarily longer by replying to such comments

OP, look for jobs in your field. With a job offer, you can go to USCIS (make an InfoPass) and expedite your EAD.

Best of luck!

[Patient 57]

19 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. 

No they should not be expedited citizenship, he only has a Masters and globally he has competition from others with more qualifications in their field. 

 

He borrowed money before and paid it back, so why not again. Why was no money saved for the end of the study period? Crowd sourcing, selling unwanted personal items on Craigslist are other options.

 

 

 

[DrEllaNJ 288]

This is why I'm trying to find a job in international student advising... although if it's one of the top STEM programs in Cali they probably have a good International Students program, but it's up to the student to go there and follow through. I feel bad for OP, but as an international student you have to plan for these things. You can't just pretend rules and regulations don't exist while you work your butt off on finals and theses.

 

When I applied for OPT, I did it in March, so I had the card a week after graduating in May. 

Hindsight is 20/20, but it probably would have been better to delay the defense date in order to remain in student status until a job has been found. And of course, apply for EAD well in advance so you get it ASAP after graduating.

 

For those of you saying OP has no path to citizenship/a green card, actually, s/he does. With STEM OPT, they have 3 years to prove themselves to an employer (who does not have to sponsor them). During that time, the company may decide s/he's too valuable to lose and sponsor them for a work visa and/or Green Card.

 

Or who knows, while working OP could find an American spouse... I certainly don't advocate marrying for a GC, but love happens.

[Valor 131]

I believe there's a way to expedite your EAD stating that you are facing financial emergency. But I'm not sure whether you need to have a job offer or not. I would suggest to call USCIS to find it out. Good luck!

[Transborderwife 4,666]

OP I'm not certain what you expect.  To instruct and condone illegal work would be against TOS, try to expedite your EAD.  There's always soup kitchens and social services for small needs.

[unknownuser 13]

Several options:

- Ask parents for money and pay them back later

- Ask a friend if you can stay with them, and pay them back later

- Go home

- Get a loan from your bank/credit union if you have a good credit score

[Smartwater 5]

Ok have you considering going home? With your background, you may have greater opportunities at home?

Edited January 13, 2017 by Smartwater

[Ash.1101 1,755]

I don't know if the OP is responding anymore but...

 

Anyone telling him/her to work is telling them to work illegally.

And honestly, I don't know what the OP wants us to tell them.

They can try to expedite EAD with a job offer
They can ask friends and family for money

If the OP wants us to tell them to go find a small job or be paid under the table, then yeah someone will mention it, but remember it's illegal to do so, and if you enjoy the US, you may not want to start practicing illegal activities.

Sometimes you just need to eat your pride and ask friends and family for help, if you've always paid back on time like you said, then they shouldn't have trouble helping you when you're in a bad spot.

Edited January 13, 2017 by Ash.1101

[TBoneTX 43,058]

Several posts have been removed for condoning or offering instruction on how to perform illegal activity (working without authorization).

 

Administrative action has been taken against another member for having ignored an in-thread instruction from VJ Moderation.

 

The OP has been given plenty of constructive advice, so this thread is locked to further comment.  Do not restart this thread or refer to it elsewhere.

 

TBoneTX

VJ Moderation