Can You Work While Studying? How Scholarship Rules in Germany and the USA Affect Student Employment"**

I. Introduction: Balancing Study and Work Abroad

For many international students, the ability to work while studying is a financial necessity and a career development a
dvantage.
However, scholarship terms and immigration rules significantly affect how and when students can work.
This article explores:
- Legal work limits under student visas
- Common scholarship restrictions
- On-campus vs. off-campus work
- Post-graduation work opportunities (CPT/OPT in the U.S., and post-study visa in Germany)

On-campus work: Up to 20 hours/week during academic terms; full-time during breaks.
Off-campus work:
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT): Internship must be tied to academic credit; requires school approval.
- Optional Practical Training (OPT): Up to 12 months post-study; 24-month extension for STEM fields.

University-funded scholarships (e.g., full-tuition) may restrict off-campus work.
Work-study programs are generally only available to U.S. citizens (international students excluded from federal work-study).
External scholarships (e.g., Fulbright) may impose restrictions on employment or require service commitments.

Post-OPT, students require an H-1B work visa (competitive and lottery-based).
Some scholarships do not support a direct path to employment without sponsorship.

International students can legally work:
- 120 full days or 240 half days per year.
- No restrictions on on-campus jobs (e.g., as student assistants or tutors).
Internships required by the study program don’t count toward this limit.

DAAD and other public scholarships typically allow part-time work, but:
- Students must notify their scholarship provider.
- Working too many hours may result in reduction or suspension of scholarship funds.
Since public universities have no tuition, students often rely on part-time work for living costs, not tuition.

Graduates can apply for an 18-month job-seeking visa.
After securing full-time employment, students can apply for an EU Blue Card, leading to permanent residency.

Factor	United States	Germany
Part-time work limit	20 hrs/week (on-campus only)	120 full or 240 half days/year
Work tied to curriculum?	Yes, via CPT	Not required
OPT/Internship policy	Up to 3 years post-study (STEM)	18-month job-seeking visa, then work visa
Scholarship restrictions	May limit outside work, esp. on full funding	Must notify sponsor; limits vary
Earning potential	Higher hourly rates, fewer hours	Lower rates, more flexibility
Visa violations risk	High—strict reporting requirements	Moderate—clear policy for student workers

A student on a 50% scholarship at NYU wants to intern with a fintech firm. They must:
- Get CPT authorization from their university.
- Ensure the internship is directly tied to their major.
- Remain under 20 hours/week during semesters.

A DAAD-funded student at LMU Munich works 10 hours/week as a research assistant.
- As long as they stay under the 120-day limit and report to DAAD, no conflict arises.
- Additional summer internship with BMW is possible without violating visa rules.

In the U.S., work-study is tightly regulated, and students must be proactive in securing CPT/OPT authorizations.
In Germany, work is more accessible and flexible—but students must track their days and comply with scholarship terms.
Ultimately, understanding the intersection of visa law, funding, and academic commitments is key to making the most of your study abroad experience—financially and professionally.

Would you like this turned into a full student advisory guide, checklist, or scholarship-compatible work planner?