Financial Requirements and Forms
SIUE complies with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations that govern the financial eligibility of international students. International students must provide evidence of sufficient financial resources to support all their living and education expenses for one academic year. Financial requirements are updated annually.
Permanent Residents or H-1, H-4 Visa Holders
International applicants who have filed an application for United States permanent residency, but have not yet been granted approval, are considered international applicants but are not required to provide financial documentation. International students who are in the United States on H-1 or H-4 visa types who plan on remaining on the same visa are not required to provide financial verification documents.
Students Seeking F-1/J-1 Visas
To receive financial approval for admission and a Form I-20 or DS-2019 (the forms necessary to get a student F or J visa), students will need to complete the online application for an I-20 or DS-2019. Students will receive a link to this application via email.
The application includes an SIUE International Student Financial Form that the applicant should print and upload when complete. The form will list the exact amount of funding required to finance your education and living expenses. This amount must be available to receive your student visa. Scholarships, assistantships and other forms of financial support will be deducted from the amount required. Both the student and the student’s financial sponsor (e.g., a parent or relative) must sign the form.
Along with the complete form, students must upload the following into the application:
- A copy of a current notarized bank statement or letter, on bank letterhead, bearing the original signature of an authorized bank official indicating the applicant’s or sponsor’s available balance in U.S. dollars. This document must be less than six months from the date issued. Students should also upload scholarship award letters (if any) at this time. Make sure your scanned copies are readable. Copies that are blurred or difficult to read will need to be uploaded again.
- Passport copy (biographical page)
- Marriage certificate and spouse passport copy (only required if bringing spouse)
- Birth certificate(s) and dependent passport copy (only required if bringing dependents)
Important Note: Bring the original forms and bank statements with you to your visa interview.
Acceptable forms of financial documentation include:
- Bank statements or bank letters in your name
- Bank statements or bank letters in a sponsor’s name
- Scholarship from government/organization/employer
- SIUE scholarships
Types of financial documentation not accepted:
- Statements verifying employment and salary
- Screenshots from online banking
- In-loan documentation
- Insurance premiums and policies
- Property or personal assets (cars, land, buildings, jewelry, etc.)
- Non-liquid assets such as stocks, bonds, equities or retirement accounts
