International Advising
Before an immigration document can be issued, F-1 and J-1 students must demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources to cover their educational and living expenses for at least the first year of study.
Union College accepts only liquid funds that are readily available and accessible for withdrawal. Non-liquid assets, including investments, real estate, retirement accounts, and other assets, cannot be used to demonstrate financial support.
Requirements for Financial Documents
Financial documents must:
- Be issued within the past three months
- Show liquid funds that are readily available and accessible for withdrawal
- Be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation
- Clearly state the currency of the funds
- Show the date of issuance and be less than 3 months old at the time the I-20 or DS-2019 is issued
- Clearly identify by name the account holder or sponsor
- Show sufficient funds to meet or exceed your student’s educational and living expenses for their first year
Financial documents may be in the student's name or in the name of a parent or legal guardian. If someone other than the student, parent, or legal guardian is providing financial support, that sponsor must provide a signed Affidavit of Support along with documentation showing sufficient liquid funds. Typed signatures are not accepted.
Acceptable Proof of Funding
Acceptable documentation may include:
- Official bank statements or bank certification letters showing funds in a personal or family checking or savings account
- Official Union College scholarship, loan, or grant documentation
- A signed sponsorship letter from the sponsor that includes: their full name, the date the letter was written, the specific amount and duration of the financial support, and their relationship to the student. The letter must be accompanied by a recent bank statement or bank letter demonstrating that the sponsor has sufficient liquid funds available to provide the stated financial support
- Other forms of liquid bank deposits that are readily available and accessible for withdrawal
Unacceptable Proof of Funding
The following cannot be used to demonstrate financial support for the issuance of a Form I-20 or DS-2019:
- Income verification, including pay stubs, salary letters, or tax forms
- Real estate, property, or other non-liquid assets
- Investment or brokerage accounts, including mutual funds, investment funds, and stock market accounts
- Retirement accounts or pension funds, including 401(k), pension, PF, and PPF accounts
- Life insurance policies
- Savings bonds, trust funds, or other non-liquid financial instruments
- Personal credit cards or lines of credit
- Business or company bank accounts that do not also identify an individual account holder
- Conditional or pending loan approvals
- Funds that will not be available for withdrawal by the student's program start date
International Advising may request additional documentation if the submitted materials do not clearly demonstrate the availability of sufficient financial support. If you are unsure about the specific amount for which you must show funding, please email International Advising.
Timeline
Once you have submitted all required documentation and completed the required application, the International Advising Office will review your request and process your immigration document. Please allow up to 14 days to receive your Form I-20 or DS-2019 after submitting a complete request. Processing may take longer if information or documentation is missing or additional clarification is needed.
You cannot move forward with the visa application process, including scheduling a visa interview, until you have received your Form I-20 or DS-2019.
