The Thornton Student Council released an open letter Wednesday urging University administrators to remove or reduce “significant financial barriers” for international music students seeking paid off-campus academic internships.

According to the TSC’s letter, these barriers stem from Curricular Practical Training, a type of work authorization that allows international students to take on paid positions during their degree program. International students can only obtain CPT authorization by enrolling in one of the Thornton School of Music’s one-unit internship courses. For graduate students — who typically pay tuition per unit — this course raises their tuition around $2,354 per semester.

“I realized how important it is for us as musicians and music students to be able to have the opportunity to work and to play and to perform and to teach outside of campus,” said Evangeliya Delizonas-Khukhua, chair of the TSC and co-author of the letter.

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International students must enroll in an internship course to “comply with federal immigration regulations for work authorization,” Thornton wrote in a statement to the Daily Trojan. This requirement applies to any international student who wishes to accept work opportunities related to their studies but isn’t taking a curriculum that requires an off-campus internship.

“The USC Thornton School recognizes the financial burden of the internship course and is actively collaborating with university partners to explore ways to reduce the cost of this requirement for international students,” the statement read.

According to a TSC report on CPT, international students represented 15.3% of Thornton’s total enrollment in Fall 2024, but only 9.3% of international students enrolled in courses for CPT.

Delizonas-Khukhua, an international doctoral student studying piano performance, didn’t apply for CPT because it was too expensive. She said the cost of CPT at Thornton forces international students to turn down opportunities, limiting their career experience.

The TSC letter also noted that other top-tier music institutions offer CPT free of charge, including the Juilliard School, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and the Colburn School. Juilliard also allows students to receive authorization within 24 hours, while Thornton students seeking CPT are required to secure a job before the start of the semester.

Cecile McNeill, an international master’s student studying viola performance, said CPT authorization is particularly difficult for Thornton students. Since most jobs in the music industry are short-term gigs with little notice, students are often unable to secure a position before the semester begins.

“Every other top music school in this country has these opportunities as fair game for international and domestic students because they realize that it’s a part of the learning experience,” McNeill said. “I’m at this great school, [but] that’s a bummer that you’re shut out from one of the benefits of going to USC … you’re in such a creative, vibrant city.”

McNeill said she had to save for years to attend Thornton, but cannot accept work opportunities due to the $2,354 price tag on the class, as she is not guaranteed to make that money back with her work.

“It is ridiculous that I’d have to pay this fee,” McNeill said. “A lot of the Thornton international students … they’re not made of money.”

The letter was signed by 134 Thornton students and faculty members. Seven of the signees also attached personal statements showing support for removing the fee for the class that provides CPT.

Veronika Manchur, a 2023 master’s graduate, wrote in her personal statement to the University that the high cost of obtaining CPT made it difficult to gain practical experience and engage with the music industry outside of the classroom.

“These barriers hinder the very purpose of pursuing a degree in music, where real-world industry exposure is crucial,” Manchur wrote. “I hope USC recognizes the importance of making CPT accessible for all students regardless of their financial situation.”

Despite the support for the letter, Delizonas-Khukhua isn’t hopeful that the fee will be eliminated. Delizonas-Khukhua said she had been collaborating with Thornton Dean Jason King, Thornton Associate Dean for Admission and Student Affairs Phillip Placenti, and Associate Dean Academic Affairs Brian Head to reduce the fee; however, these conversations were not productive.

“My point is definitely not to humiliate them, or to show them that I am so bossy,” Delizonas-Khukhua said. “My point is only to help international students … to give them the right to get the chance to work and get professional experience outside of campus.”

Peiwen Su, a 2023 master’s graduate, said international music students are forced to pay for CPT authorization if they plan to apply for a green card or a H-1B visa, which requires sponsorship from an employer.

“As a music student, I have no choice because if I want to stay I have to go out and seek work, but I have to pay the [$2,354],” Su said.

Su said she made around $300 to $400 per month working as a music teacher after paying the fee for the course. This meant Su was unable to pay off the fee as well as profit from her work.

“Tuition is already high. The living fee in L.A. is already high. The rent fee is really high,” Su said. “So it’s just a really hard time for the family and students.”