Apply for CPT

For Middlebury College Students

Please see our Student Employment Information webpage for on and off-campus opportunities. 

For Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey Students

Institute students need to review the “CPT Presentation (for Institute Students)” on the Forms and Resources page in the Student Employment Authorization section.  This presentation has specific details about CPT regulations and policies at the Institute.

Application Process

The student must:

1. Obtain a Cooperative Agreement from the practical training organization with details about the position. 
2. Request the CPT Recommendation Form from the course instructor and academic advisor/program head/program chair.
3. Submit the CPT Application and all required documents.
4. Apply by the end of the third week of the semester (September 18 for fall 2026, February 5 for spring 2027).

The company/organization:

• Completes the cooperative agreement for the position that is being offered.
• This cooperative agreement provides ISSS and the student’s instructor and academic advisor/program head/program chair with information about the experience, which is necessary to confirm that it meets the requirements of the program’s practicum.

The course instructor or academic advisor:

• Based on a request from the student, the instructor and academic advisor/program head/program chair completes the CPT Recommendation Form and provides it to the student to submit with their CPT Application to ISSS.
• This recommendation form provides a confirmation to ISSS that the student is enrolled in a program that requires an off-campus practical training experience.

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS):

• Reviews the CPT Application and supporting documentation submitted by the student.
• If approved, ISSS issues an I-20 with CPT authorization for student. Student then receives an email from ISSS with the updated I-20 and with information about how to maintain status while engaging in off-campus practical training.
• If denied, ISSS emails the student to inform them of the reason for denial.

CPT Application for Off-Campus Training

Use this application if you are applying for CPT based upon enrollment in a degree-required course that requires participation in an off-campus experience. Courses include:

• International Professional Service Semester (IPSS)
• Practicum course for your program

Important Note Before Starting your Application

You must upload the following documents in the CPT Application:

• Cooperative Agreement from the organization offering the practical training experience.
• CPT Recommendation Letter, completed by the course instructor and academic advisor/program head/program chair.
• Any other documents from the organization that document your experience. (Optional)

An F-1 student must have received approval and the I-20 with CPT approval before starting the off-campus experience. Approved students may only begin the internship experience on or after the CPT start date and must end on or before the CPT end date. CPT dates must occur within the approved semester.

Updated 9/30/2026