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United States Immigration law requires International students provide reliable documentation that they have financial resources adequate to meet expenses at the school without resorting to unauthorized employment.  Funds may come from any dependable source including scholarships, fellowships, sponsoring agencies or the student's family.  The student must satisfy to the school he or she is attending that the funds are guaranteed at least for the student's first year of study and that, barring unforeseen circumstances, adequate funding will be available from the same or equally dependable sources for subsequent years.

Students should be advised that they are likely to be required to present documentary evidence of financial support at the time they apply for a visa and again to INS when they arrive in the United States.  Financial support documents are considered valid for one calendar year from the date issued.

• Original bank statements verifying account balances (from either U.S. or foreign banking institutions).  The funds must be shown in U.S. dollars.  Receipts from automatic teller machines do not constitute bank statements.

 

• Original letters from bank officials written in English on bank letterhead verifying the account holder, account number and current balance in U.S. dollars.

 

• Original letters from employers written in English on official letterhead verifying the name and annual salary of the employee and indicating continued employment.

If the documentation provided is not in the student’s name, it must be accompanied by an original signed letter from the account holder or employee promising to support you financially and verifying that the documented funds are allocated for that purpose.

Photocopies are not acceptable forms of financial proof.  The Admissions Office must retain originals in your file.