Employment Off-Campus: Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

A Note on Current Federal Guidance — CPT Paused for Fall 2026

Effective August 24, 2026, Hamilton College has paused all new Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorizations for the Fall 2026 semester. This pause is in response to new guidance from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) — BCM 2608-01 (August 12, 2026) and BCM 2608-02 (August 24, 2026) — which significantly tightens the federal standard for CPT eligibility.

This pause covers all off-campus work, training, internships, and cooperative education (co-op) placements connected to your academic program — paid and unpaid alike. Do not accept an offer, sign an agreement, or begin any off-campus placement, whether paid or unpaid, until ISS has confirmed that CPT is available again or that another pathway applies.

Please contact your ISS advisor with questions, and before making any commitments to an employer.