Visa FAQ

GradAisle's international student path is designed for applicants who completed their undergraduate degree in the United States on F-1 or a similar visaand are exploring US master's programs.

During onboarding, select International student — completed undergrad in the US (F-1 or similar). This unlocks visa and work-authorization tags on program cards and prioritizes STEM-designated programs in matching.

Support for students who earned their undergraduate degree outside the US is listed as Coming soon in the app and is not available yet.

On program cards and detail pages, international users may see:

• STEM OPT eligibility — whether the program qualifies for the 24-month STEM extension (up to 3 years total OPT) vs. standard 12-month OPT only
• CPT availability — including rare Day 1 CPT options, when CPT becomes available, credit requirements, and estimated CPT costs
• F-1 health insurance — whether the university allows an F-1 insurance waiver and estimated insurance costs
• Funding context — TA tuition waivers, union representation, and non-resident alien tax withholding on stipends where applicable
• Pathway programs — flags when admission may be through a third-party pathway provider

Data is compiled from publicly available university sources. Program details change — use the last verified date on a program when shown, and confirm with the school before deciding.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) lets F-1 students work in the US after graduation. STEM-designated programs may qualify for a 24-month extension on top of the standard 12-month OPT — up to roughly three years of post-graduation work authorization.

On GradAisle, programs marked STEM OPT 3yr are STEM-designated. Programs marked 1yr OPT only are not STEM-designated and offer only the standard 12-month OPT period.

Important: STEM designation depends on the program's CIP code and federal lists, which can change. Always verify current STEM OPT eligibility with your university's Designated School Official (DSO) before relying on any label on GradAisle.

For international profiles, matching generally prioritizes STEM-designated programs and may exclude non-STEM programs except in certain fields such as accounting and nursing-related areas.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) allows F-1 students to work off-campus in jobs related to their field of study, typically after completing a required number of credits.

Day 1 CPT

A small number of programs offer CPT from the first day of enrollment. On GradAisle this appears as the Day 1 CPT tag — meaning off-campus work may be available immediately without waiting for credit thresholds. This is uncommon and should be researched carefully with your DSO and the program.

No CPT

The No CPT tag means the program does not offer curricular practical training during the degree. F-1 students at these programs typically cannot work off-campus until post-graduation OPT.

Program detail pages may also show when CPT becomes available, credit requirements, and estimated CPT-related costs where we have that data.

Tap the ? on any tag on a program card for a short explanation. Common visa-related tags for international users include:

• STEM OPT 3yr — STEM-designated; eligible for up to 3 years of OPT including the extension
• 1yr OPT only — not STEM-designated; standard 12-month OPT only
• Day 1 CPT — CPT available from enrollment day one
• No CPT — no off-campus CPT during the program
• Pathway Program — admission may be conditional through a third-party provider (e.g. INTO, Shorelight, Kaplan)
• Budget Stretch — tuition exceeds your stated budget; consider funding and living costs

Domestic users (US citizen or permanent resident) do not see Day 1 CPT or STEM OPT tags on cards — those are tailored to the international onboarding path.

Funding and cost information on GradAisle helps you compare programs, not replace a financial aid offer letter.

• TA Waiver — teaching or research assistantships that cover tuition in full
• No TA Waiver — assistantships do not cover tuition; you may still owe full tuition while on a TA role
• F-1 insurance waiver— whether you can waive the university's health plan with your own coverage
• Health insurance cost — estimated annual insurance when a waiver is not allowed
• NRA tax withholding — whether stipends are subject to non-resident alien tax withholding

Some universities admit international students through a pathway or conditional program run by a third-party provider. These programs may involve additional fees, English-language requirements, or different progression into the main degree.

GradAisle flags these as Pathway Program so you can factor them into your research. Matching may apply penalties or notes when pathway admission is involved.

When you select the international student residency path, GradAisle's matching algorithm:

• Prioritizes STEM-designated programs and STEM OPT eligibility
• Generally filters out non-STEM programs (with limited exceptions for certain fields)
• Scores CPT availability, insurance costs, and pathway factors
• Surfaces flags such as no_stem_opt, high insurance cost, or self-sustaining funding where relevant

AI re-ranking also considers F-1 visa context and STEM OPT when explaining why programs fit your profile. These are research aids, not predictions of visa approval or admission.

• File visa petitions or sponsor your F-1 status
• Guarantee CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT approval
• Provide legal or immigration advice
• Replace your university DSO or an immigration attorney

Information about F-1 visas, CPT, OPT, and STEM OPT on GradAisle is general and informational only. For advice specific to your situation, consult a qualified immigration attorney or your institution's international student office.

See our Terms of Service for full disclaimers.

• Confirm STEM OPT eligibility, CIP codes, and CPT rules with your DSO
• Check tuition, deadlines, and application requirements on the university's official graduate admissions site
• Review funding offers and insurance requirements in your formal admission letter

Ready to start matching? See the Application Guide. Questions? Support or admin@gradaisle.com.