CPT Member Resources

As of September 2022, the Office of International Students and Scholars at Washington University in St. Louis now requires that for international students on an F-1 visa to participate in BALSA projects, they must obtain part-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization. Detailed information is provided below.

CPT Authorization Policy Change by OISS:

CPT authorization is required before starting a project, can be taken an unlimited number of semesters because it is part-time, and will NOT impact the student’s opportunity to obtain Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the future. Please contact BALSA HR (hr@balsa.org) or OISS Interim Director, Ariel Carpenter (arielc@wustl.edu) with any questions.

NOTE:

  • Do not apply for CPT before becoming a BALSA member.

  • You will need an offer letter from BALSA and a CPT application form for the process.

  • You will need to be enrolled in a CPT pathway course (LGS 9000 or EGS 9000).

  • The whole application process may take up to 3 weeks to complete.

Commitment to Diversity

Diversity in The BALSA Group is integral to our success. Our members come from many backgrounds and nationalities positioning us to succeed as a community and organization. For more information, click here.

Additionally, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the current Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI).

How to Apply for CPT Authorization

For DBBS (Arts & Sciences) Students:

  1. Please register to LGS 9000 for 0 credits (section number depends on your program) before the add/drop deadline of the semester

  2. Request an offer letter from BALSA by filling out this form

  3. Fill out the CPT application form (A&S) using information from the BALSA letter for part-time CPT authorization

  4. Send the CPT form and offer letter to your program coordinator to sign off on the advisor line (you do NOT need your PI to sign off) 

  5. Send the signed CPT form and offer letter to Janka Ribando (janka@wustl.edu)

  6. You will receive your new I-20 with CPT authorization by email (~5 business days)

For Engineering Students:

  1. Please register to EGS 9000 for 0 credits (section number depends on your program) before the add/drop deadline of the semester

  2. Request an offer letter from BALSA by filling out this form

  3. Fill out the CPT application form (Engineering) using information from the BALSA letter for part-time CPT authorization

  4. Send the CPT form and offer letter to your program coordinator 

  5. Send the signed CPT form and offer letter to 

    • Mallory Moser (moserm@wustl.edu): Last names between A-T

    • Janka Ribando (janka@wustl.edu): Last names between U-Z

  6. You will receive your new I-20 with CPT authorization by email (~5 business days)

FAQs:

  • While BALSA is a nonprofit and the work completed by consultants is voluntary, the work we do (i.e., consulting for clients) is not considered ‘humanitarian by nature.’ Thus, the experience can be considered ‘compensation’ by the federal government and requires appropriate authorization.

  • We are working on obtaining a letter from OISS that reflects the date of this policy change, meaning that prior to this date, CPT authorization was not required. Please retain this for your records.

  • No, CPT authorization for BALSA projects will not affect this.

  • As many semesters and times as you’d like – because you are applying for part-time authorization, there is no limit.

  • Students with a J-1 visa are required to obtain academic training authorization from OISS to participate in BALSA projects. Please contact BALSA HR (hr@balsa.org) for more information.

  • Unfortunately, because BALSA work does not fall within the categories of research or teaching imposed by the J-1 visa, postdoctoral scholars on J-1 visas are ineligible to participate in BALSA projects. Please contact Ariel Carpenter (arielc@wustl.edu) or Kaaren Quezada (kquezada@wustl.edu) with any questions.

  • We are still working on obtaining the information needed for applying for CPT via these schools.