Hello Everyone,
I am a F1 student with TPS+TPS related EAD. Please help me with following two questions:

1. Is it possible for me to take reduced course (say only 3 credits) while I am on TPS?
2. Can I work off-campus with my TPS EAD while I am studying? Do we need permission from the college?

Kindly provide me with your suggestions/experience.
Thank you,
Suraj

Most of the college will allow only one semester with reduced course load but since you have TPS and if you talk with international office there is very slight possibility that they might allow you to have more than one sem with reduced course load. Most of the time TPS does not have anything to do with reduced course load.

You can work off campus with TPS EAD and its better to take permission from college or at least notify them that you are working off campus and have EAD for the purpose. It also depends upon university rule. By the way, me and so many of my friends have been using TPS EAD to work off campus and nobody have any problem till now.

hi Suraj,

these are based on my knowledge and might not be applicable for you.

=> It depends on your current status (resident/non-resident alien) and school policy regarding your tuition, and assistantship.

=> most research universities allow reduced credits (based on total research hours) for graduate students with professor's approval (with or without TPS).

=> if you get full tuition waiver no matter how much credits you are registered for then it might be helpful to take reduced credits with DSO's approval.

=> if you are a resident alien (living in the US for more than 5 years) you have to pay Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) if you are registered for less than 5 credits on regular semester. so do the math.

=> if you decide to take reduced credit (student relief) or work off campus (TPS benefit), DSO has to update your SEVIS record on both cases.

GOOD LUCK!

Thank you very much for your replies. This is definitely helpful.
One more question though: If I decide to work off campus (TPS benefit), Do I need to ask my international office to update it in my I20? Do I need to provide them with the name of company/organization I will be working for?

From my understanding ,
Yes you are allowed to taked reduced course load if you are in TPS or even if you are not , if you are from nepal and were here during the quake.

You also do not need EADuch
"an eligible F-1 student may benefit without having to apply for a new Form I-766, Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

Also the decision for this is DSO's discretion.

This should have everything you need
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/11/09/2015-28360/employment-authorization-for-nepali-f-1-students-experiencing-severe-economic-hardship-as-a-direct

Suraj,

Yes, DSO has to update your SEVIS that you are working off-campus, otherwise it would be violation of your F1 status.

Providing info: I am not sure how it works. It's a different case case but during my OPT time, DSO had provided me new I20 with OPT recommendation then another one right after I started working with my company info.