Frequently Asked  Questions

Q: What is Curricular Practical Training?

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an employment option available to F-1 students.  According to the immigration regulations, this employment may be an internship, cooperative education job, a practicum, or any other work experience. In order to receive the authorization for the CPT, student must obtain a job offer letter from the employer which should clearly indicate your job title, job responsibilities, the begin/end date of the position, name and contact information of your direct supervisor. 

Q: Do I need the USCIS approval for doing the CPT ?

USCIS authorization is not needed, but USCIS should be notified by school.

Q: What is considered part-time CPT / full-time CPT?

Employment for 20 hours or less per week while you are enrolled for classes is considered part-time Curricular Practical Training. Employment for more than 20 hours up to 40 hours per week or more is considered full-time Curricular Practical Training. 

Q: Will the university find CPT employment for me?

A:  NEEI's job placement specialist will help student locate internship employment, students need to follow all the leads for the job interview. This is a much more effective method of obtaining suitable employment because most employers want to interview personally with the applicants. 

Q: What is my chance of obtaining employment?

A: Part of the program includes a CPT workshop to help student prepare for the CPT mission. The internship workshop will teach you how to write American style resume, job hunting strategies, interview skills, ethics on the job, US culture and custom, and safety issues, etc. This is part of the first phase of your "hands-on" educational experience and is designed to enhance your CPT off-campus employment options. The type of business or industry employment that you will depend on your job skills, your experience, and your English ability.    

Q: How long will it take for me to obtain CPT employment?

A: Students will have to wait for 9 months before they can be legally allowed to do the off-campus internship, however, job hunting can start earlier, before you reach 9 months of staying in school. NEEI's job specialist will help student locate jobs, usually within 30 days after take their cases.

Q: How many hours will I probably work each week ?

A: You can work 20 per week when school is in session, and work full-time during the summer. 

Q:  How much can I earn in a CPT job?

A:  Your salary depends on your job skills and English ability. Some entry level jobs will pay $8 per hour, but more highly skilled positions will pay more. 

Q: Can I work over time, more than 40 hours ? 

A: Students may work up to 40 hours per week, with overtime also possible during the summer, depending on the jobs, and student can keep all these "extra" income.

Q: My job pays monthly salary plus the tips (cash), can I keep the cash ?

A: Yes, you can keep the tips (cash). This is an American culture, in fact, some jobs pay substantial amount of tips.

Q: What kind of employment is allowed?  

A: You are authorized for any employment which is related to your curricular. That is, any job is allowed which is curricular related.  For example, a business student must be engaged in employment that has something to do with business, a culture major student must be engaged in employment that has something to do with cultural communication. In other words, your employment must be "curriculum related" .    

Q: Can I find an internship job only in the field related to my major or is any field O.K?  

A:  The employment needs to be related to an integral part of the curriculum.  Consequently, a job which is related to concepts and principles that you may be learning in any of your classes will be acceptable. Here are some samples of the jobs, data entry, bookkeeping and accounting, customer services representatives in all kinds of business, such as hotels, real estate, travel’s agency, clubs and bars, import/export business, shopping mall, etc.

Q: Do I have to have a social security card and a work permit?

A: The procedure for obtaining a Social Security card and permission to work begins with obtaining a job offer letter from a prospective employer.   Once an employer agrees to hire a student, such a letter will be issued by that employer.   The letter is to be taken to the university for a signature on the student’s original I-20 form where Curricular Practical Training is authorized.   This signature by the university official on the I-20 serves as the student’s “work permit”.   The next step is to take the job offer letter and the signed I-20 to the Social Security office where application is made for a Social Security Number. 

Q: Will I have to pay taxes?

A: Your employer may be required to hold back from your monthly earnings a little bit of money to cover any taxes that you might owe.  However, after April 15th of each year most international students find that they get a refund of all, or almost all, of this withheld amount.   

Q: Does the swimming pool open in the winter ?

A: Yes, school swimming pool is open year around, so remember to bring your swimming suit with you.

Q: Does the school theatre open year around ?

A: Yes, there are many performances in school theatre each month. TLHU students fortunately have the opportunity nearby.

Q:  Can I take a school break during summer to return to my country then return back to school ? 

A: You must attend school full time for 9 months before you are eligible to take a school break.  After you have finished 9 months of studies you are entitled to take a vacation for one term (about 2-3 months). The vacation term can be any time of year. But, if you want to just keep on taking classes you are not obligated to take the vacation.

Q: Is there a deadline for applying?  

A: TLHU uses rolling admission, and students have five times to enter a program year around, so there is no deadline for applying. Please keep in mind that it takes approximately two months to process an application.

One semester has two terms, each term is eight weeks. The enter time date may change slightly in different calendar years, but will be at following approximate times.

Spring Semester: Jan.____   March ____   

Summer Term:  June____ 

Fall Semester: Aug. ____   Oct. _____

Q: Why do I need a bank statement for at least $15,000?

A: The reason for the requirement of a bank statement of a certain amount is to assure the American visa officers that you have ready available cash to use for your education. This is an immigration regulation, but also the university wants to be assured that you have the funds to pay for your education, because your CPT income will not be able to cover the entire school cost.

Q: Does the bank statement have to be in a sponsor's name or is it acceptable if it is in my own name?

A: The bank statement can be your personal statement or that of a "sponsor," or a combination of the two. If you use a sponsor's statement, you will also need to have the sponsor (such as father) write a letter to the university stating, "I am the sponsor for (your name), what kind of relationship between sponsor and student, and I intend to provide him/her with financial assistance at the university, up to the amount of $_____,

Q: Can I have more then one sponsor?

A: You can have as many sponsors as you need.  However, you and the sponsors need to make it clear why the sponsor is willing to sponsor you.   

Q:  Do I have to apply for a visa in my own country? 

A: The American consulates in each country of the world make the decision about whether or not a visa applicant must be in his/her own country in order to apply for a visa.  However, the general custom is that an international student can apply for a visa in countries other than his/her own. 

Q: What are the weather and landscape like in Denver, Colorado?

A: The weather is little bit cold in the winter time in Colorado because it is about 6000 feet in altitude. In the Spring and Summer the temperature is quite pleasant and coats are not needed.  In the winter you will need a very warm coat.  If you cannot bring one because of where you now live, we suggest you bring whatever jacket you now possess, and then plan to purchase a winter type coat when you get to Colorado. There are many places to purchase well made coats at a very reasonable price once you arrive. In Denver, you will enjoy over 300 sunshine day a year, while nearby colorful mountains have America's best ski resorts.

Q: What housing arrangements will be made for me?

A: You will live in school dorms. Individual rooms in the residence halls hold different amenities, such as extra-long twin beds, a desk, 2 chairs, a sink, storage space and closets, free cable TV hookup, and 2 high-speed internet connections. Communal bathrooms and shower rooms are located on each hallway. Unless married, undergraduate student must live in the school dorm before completing 60 credits. 

Q: Is TLHU a religion affiliated school ? 

A: No, TLHU is a university not affiliated with any religion. School does have a small beautiful chapel that offers wedding service to the public. Dating back to 100 year ago, the current school complex was a convent for nun.  

Q: Where is TLHU ?

A: TLHU campus is located in the highest point in a hill in Denver Metro with majestic snowy mountain view on the one side and downtown skyscrapers the other side. School's Victoria style high tower, which can be seen from anywhere, is a famous landmark in Denver.

Q: I don't know how to drive a car, is there any public transportation from TLHU ?

A: Close to school campus are bus and train (light rail) stations, whereby student can travel all over Denver, including downtown. Many people in Denver ride bike while enjoying 300 sunshine days throughout a year.

Q: What kind of on-campus jobs are available ?

A: School library, cafeteria, office assistant, etc.

If you enroll at TLHU and have completed 30 credit courses and choose to transfer to another university, you are free to do so, so long as your bills (including room and board) at the university are all paid in full up to that date. 

Q: Where is the nearest airport to TLHU?

A: There is an airport in Denver (Denver International Airport) and it is about a 45 minute drive from Denver International Airport to TLHU. School will provide free airport pick up. Situated on 34,000 acres or 53 square miles, Denver International Airport is one of the largest airports in the world. But you will not get lost if you just follow the sign. You have to travel by train from concourse A, B or C, depending on which airline you fly with, to the "baggage claim" area, where you pick up your luggage and school staff will meet you.

Q: Where can I go to find out more information about Denver?

A: Denver, with an approximate population of 3 million, is the 20th largest metropolitan area in the United States. First Data (Western Union), United Airlines, Sun Microsystems and Oracle Corp. are some of many leading companies that have major operations in Denver Metro. For more information about Denver, please visit: www.denvergov.org/new_to_denver.asp 

Q: Where can I find airline information?

A: you may visit www.cheaptickets.com/  to look up different times and flight details. 

Q: I cannot book a flight to Denver from my home country.  Do you know what flights there are to Denver from New York?

A: Continental Airlines has flights from New York Kennedy Airport (JFK) to Denver that depart in the mornings and in the afternoons. You can look at the flight information on-line at www.continental.com or you may call Contintental direct at 1-800-523-3273. Although, you may not be able to book the flight on-line as an International flyer, you will be able to view times and get contact information.  United Airlines www.united.com also has flights to Denver from JFK, however all the flights are in the morning and subject to change year around.

Q: I can not book a flight to Denver from my home country.  Do you know what flights there are to Denver from Los Angeles?

A: America West Airlines www.americawest.com , United Airlines www.united.com  and US Airways www.usairways.com   all have flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Denver.  

Q: Do I need to pay an application fee to apply for TLHU ?

You do not need to pay the application fee until you arrive in school. At that time, you need to pay a $50 application fee to enter this Internship-based program.

Q: Can I use the application form found in TLHU's web site ( www.tlhu.edu ) ?

NO! You should use the application form provided from this web site only. We are authorized by the school to handle (pre-screen) the international application exclusively for this internship-based program. In addition, don't forget to fill the ADAM Scholarship Application Form out in this website if you want scholarships.

Q: How do I apply for the program?

A: If you are interested in this program, please click here for the application form, scholarship form and list of required documents.  Please email us at go2usa@telus.net  if you have any other questions.