Volunteering as F or J Student

Due to many limitations that international students on F-1 and J-1 visas have pertaining to both employment and unpaid/volunteer activities, it is important to understand and follow certain guidelines.

Volunteer Activities MUST adhere to ALL of the following for all students in J-1 and F-1 status:

• Any volunteer activity that is intended to take more than 20 hours per week is not permitted.
• All volunteer activity must be done for a non-profit organization involved in civic, charitable, or humanitarian activity.
• Any activity overseen by a campus department or organization that takes place on CCU’s campus and is available to any student, regardless of their citizenship, but as a part of their student status at the university can be the site of volunteering.
• Activities sponsored by CCU clubs, organizations, or departments that are available to and encouraging of participation of a broad range of CCU student participants, may be excluded from the requirement of no in-kind remuneration, and allow for meals, transportation, housing and/or small gifts. Requests for this review must be provided to the PDSO/RO for Coastal Carolina University at least 1 week before participation. Such requests will be approved on a case-by-case basis and in the University's discretion.

All F-1 or J-1 Students who are considering volunteering must complete the “Volunteering as F-1 or J-1 Student Request to Participate in Volunteer Activity” form.

Completed forms should be returned to International Student and Scholar Services at the Center for Global Engagement in Kearns Hall Suite 207 or by email at internationalservices@coastal.edu at least 1 week prior to intended volunteer activity.