In short, F1 visas are not allowed to work legally but many does, coz there is no options other than taking risks to pay our fees and for living. Fren of mine got caught by INS and she was bailed out for 10G. We are not allowed to work off-campus at all but you could apply for 20 hrs off-campus jobs by showing your financial hardship, which if approved, allows you to work 20 hrs legally but the hrs you worked will be deducted from ur one-year-OPT......Please don't take this as a final say coz there might be better suggestions coming your way...Congratulations for ur upcoming gradutaions and GUD LUCK!!!