SoCall,
Although you know a lot, I think you confuse 'post-J1 F1' with F1 for sort of proper academic studies with some flight training attached, ie Associate degrees. Now I realised I used the 'UK term' *foundation degree* - same thing, but different word, ie part of bachelor's.
Most
community colleges, if not all, that do their
Associate in airline whatever (read, meant for flight training, to get federal loans and credits for UVSC etc later, since it's more common to expect a degree in the US to sift through CVs)
do it via F1 visa. It'd qualify him to work 'on campus' 20hr/week with unlimited hours during break/holidays, straight after CFI/I if he's offered job. That's all hypothetical, no guarantee.
SH,
I think you made a mistake there, regarding your visa etc. Sure, if you didn't know about J1, or changed your aims after you did most/all of your training, that's understandable.
M1 visa you were on, you were able to extend by applying for another 3-6 or whatever months that'd be reasonable for the extra ratings required. Not sure another 12 months would go down well for only CFI/I ratings, but anyway.
Also, while it can be pain in ass, dealing with it, you could have also applied to another school and change your schools while on M1, before it expired, ie start of the 30 days grace period to leave the country. It's easier to change status onshore, than going through the whole thing of entry clearance, visa and flights up and down.
The school has to (supposed to) sign the papers to 'release you' and check that you're going to legit place, but then it'd be the other place sponsoring your visa/for your status to maintain. This could be the source of haggling.
SCA,
Downin3Greens probably meant H-3 visa, as 'trainee'. It's bit pricey and takes some paperwork for employer to do. I've read/been told by some individuals who did it/could do it, in the past, about it. The whole idea of that, is that the 'ATP course' needs a trainee to build time, to get the magical 1500TT and hence he'd qualify for specific 'training instructing' allowance. I know, kinda strange concept to grasp, but that's how it works. Training towards certificate that requires hourbuilding (=instructing). There are few limitations, numbers of these are limited to individual employers etc. Not well known thing, as many schools can't or won't bother with the paperwork involved.
Example?
Palm Beach State - Affiliated Flight Schools It used to be WPB Community College, renamed past year or two. They'd give you a credit for FAA ratings in possession for the Associate. You've got choice of two schools here, for example. I don't think it's very cost effective way to build hours, but if you really, really need to stay in the USA... It'd be long shot sorting all this if they aren't likely to hire you.
I know more stuff about F1 with community colleges for rotary flying from other parts of US.
Anyway, SH, could you not have done part of the CFI training before doing CPL checkride, saving flight hours needed? Or was it 'policy' of school, only starting after CPL checkride passed? Too late now. I think - not certain - that at least part 61 rules allow for that.