u/Busy_Personality4034

tldr; you may think you’re at a “safe” school but unless you can ensure that CPT is required for all students (meaning you can’t join the program without a job) and is truly integral to the program, HSI is starting to target these programs. I see all the time “oh you don’t need a job to join xyz CPT program”. If a program is operating in this way that doesn’t truly require a job yet they allow CPT, that means it’s not truly required and that type of school is gonna be under scrutiny.

Including the very long email below:

Broadcast Message: Reminder of Liability for DSOs Regarding CPT Authorization

To: PDSOs and DSOs at SEVP-certified schools

Date: August 12, 2026

BCM Number: 2608-01

General Information

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) reminds all designated school officials (DSOs) of their responsibilities regarding curricular practical training (CPT) authorization as well as increased program oversight concerning the proper use of CPT. SEVP has observed a rise in CPT authorizations that do not meet regulatory requirements, specifically those not constituting an integral part of an established curriculum. As a result, the program is increasing its scrutiny of CPT approvals to ensure compliance with federal regulations. Please carefully read and review the following information:

• CPT must be integral to the curriculum: DSOs can only authorize CPT when the training is an integral part of an established curriculum and is directly related to the student's major area of study. CPT cannot be authorized solely for the purpose of employment or for experiences that are not required or otherwise formally recognized as part of the academic program.

SEVP reserves the right to request documentation and other evidence from DSOs to identify whether CPT is indeed a core and essential part of the student's studies, without which, they would be unable to complete their degree. While SEVP recognizes that the school, not the U.S. government, defines what is and is not required to complete a degree, SEVP is also committed to identifying and investigating schools that attempt to undermine or purposely bypass federal regulations or oversight. 

DSOs are reminded that F nonimmigrant students are, by their own attestation under penalty of perjury, here in the United States "solely for the purpose of pursuing a full program of study." If SEVP suspects that school officials are abusing CPT to create work opportunities rather than academic studies, they may be subject to additional scrutiny and action from SEVP and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), to include potential withdrawal of the school's SEVP certification.

• **DSO certification and legal responsibility:**When you sign or re-sign the Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," to authorize CPT, you are certifying under penalty of perjury that all information is true and correct to the best of your knowledge. This includes confirming that CPT is required or otherwise integral to the student's curriculum.

Potential liability: Improper CPT authorization, such as for non-integral purposes, may subject both the institution and individual DSO to administrative or legal consequences. This includes withdrawal of SEVP certification and potential penalties for providing false information or misrepresenting the nature of the training.Actions requested: After reviewing the above information, DSOs should:

1. Carefully review all CPT requests and your institution's current academic requirements across all fields of study.
2. Ensure that CPT is only authorized when it is truly integral to the program. Only authorize CPT if its absence would make the attainment of a degree an impossibility and if the work associated with CPT is required for all students pursuing that degree.
3. Maintain thorough records supporting the curricular necessity of each CPT authorization.
4. Consult with your SEVP field representative if you have questions about a specific case.

Employers, DSOs, students and members of the public can report suspected employment fraud,� practical training fraud, or other instances of foreign students or certified schools abusing federal regulations directly to SEVP via email at SEVPFraud@hsi.dhs.gov.

For questions about this message, please contact the SEVP Response Center (SRC) via phone at 703-603-3400 or 1-800-892-4829 or via email atSEVP@ice.dhs.gov. The SRC is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, except for federal holidays.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter and for your continued commitment to regulatory compliance.

Disclaimer

The Broadcast Message is not a substitute for applicable legal requirements, nor is it itself a rule or a final action by SEVP. It is not intended to, does not, and may not be relied upon to create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law by any party in any administrative, civil, or criminal matter.

Sorry for *yet another* Harrisburg University post but I don’t think people are mad enough that Harrisburg U, a non-profit that receives ample money from the city and state, has paid $75 million over the last decade to a small recruiting company in Utah!!! This is no secret, it’s in their public tax returns and has now been circulating in a viral article about day 1 CPT. While the city of Harrisburg struggles, Howell Management Services, which lists 4-12 employees estimated, receives millions of dollars each year from this school for recruiting international students. None of this money ever benefits the local economy. Feel how you want about the school itself but people should be more outraged or at the very least concerned that this money is leaving the city from a nonprofit org to benefit a random company in Utah.

sources:

https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/251900793

https://layoffhedge.com/day1-cpt

Before You Enroll at Harrisburg University for Day 1 CPT, Read This
I never thought I would write something like this, but with so many international students scrambling to enroll in Day 1 CPT programs before the anticipated policy changes this September, I feel a responsibility to share my experience.
If I could go back in time, I would never have enrolled at Harrisburg University.
When you’re an international student, you put your future in a school’s hands. Your immigration status, your finances, your career, and often your family’s sacrifices all depend on the institution acting honestly, consistently, and in students’ best interests. In my experience, this school will threaten your visa status to milk as much money as possible from you, do not trust them
I went into the program expecting an institution that cared about education and student success. Instead, I felt like I became part of a system where tuition, enrollment numbers, and institutional interests consistently took priority over students.
Throughout my time there, I experienced what I viewed as inconsistent application of university policies, poor communication, discrimination and decisions that left me questioning whether students were being treated fairly. Policies that I believed should have protected students often did not seem to be applied consistently in my case, while other rules appeared to be enforced selectively.
As an international student, that imbalance is terrifying. You know that questioning decisions can have consequences. Your visa depends on maintaining status. Many students are already under enormous financial and emotional pressure, and that reality can make it difficult to challenge decisions or speak openly.
I also felt that there was very little transparency when serious academic or administrative issues arose. Instead of feeling supported, I often felt dismissed. Trying to obtain clear answers could be frustrating, and I frequently left conversations with more questions than answers.
Financially, the experience was devastating. Repeating coursework, dealing with administrative complications, and navigating unclear processes came at significant personal cost. Every additional semester represents thousands of dollars, more time, and more uncertainty for international students who are already making enormous sacrifices to study in the United States.
Another reason I’m writing this is because I believe prospective students should understand that marketing materials and recruitment presentations may not reflect every student’s experience. Admissions conversations can paint an optimistic picture, but I encourage everyone to be aware:
They will intentionally fail you in courses to maximize enrollment!
Don’t waste your time on academic appeals as they will side with the racist teachers!
University policies are only applied when it benefits their financial interests!
No support exists for international students facing academic or administrative issues!
No protections are available if you believe you’ve been treated unfairly!
During my time there, I became aware of Sexual Harassment and assault concerns raised by other students involving inappropriate conduct and treatment within the university community. One of my course mates shared text messages of a professor asking for SEXUAL FAVORS and she was AFRAID he would fail her if she DID NOT COMPLY

I cannot speak for the other experiences that were not my own, and those individuals should decide for themselves whether to come forward. However, hearing those concerns contributed to my overall loss of confidence in the institution.
To anyone considering Harrisburg University solely because it offers Day 1 CPT, please do your homework. Speak with current and former students not just admissions representatives. Read university policies yourself. Save every email. Keep records of every interaction. Ask questions in writing. Understand the financial implications of repeating courses, the academic appeal process, and how administrative decisions could affect your IMMIGRATION STATUS.
This post reflects my personal experience and opinions. But I wish someone had shared a perspective like mine before I made one of the most expensive and stressful decisions of my life.
International students deserve transparency. They deserve fairness. They deserve consistent application of university policies. Most of all, they deserve to be treated as students not simply as tuition-paying enrollments whose futures depend on decisions they often have little power to challenge.
If sharing my experience helps even one student make a more informed decision, then writing this was worth it.