Visas & Financial Requirements

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS

The actual cost that a student incurs during the nine-month school year can vary significantly, particularly in housing, meals, health insurance, and personal expenses. To plan for a spouse or child while you study, add $5,000 for your spouse and, $4,500 for each child under 12 years old. Transportation to and from the U.S. is not included in the estimate. For general information about financial assistance, students may request a booklet from the Education U.S.A. advising center in their home country.

YSU DOCUMENTS to CERTIFY FORM I-20 or DS-2019

Application for Form I-20 or DS-2019. Remember that even if an applicant is academically accepted to YSU, a form cannot be issued until we receive all official financial documentation.

Affidavit of Financial Support. All applicants must complete this form in order to receive a Form I-20 or DS-2019. This form should be accompanied by bank statements, tax returns, or other proof of income, such as letters from employers. You can submit more than one affadavit if you have additional sponsors. Incomplete forms or insufficient financial documentation will lead to delays.

Affidavit of Free Room and Board (optional) for the promise of free room and food in a local sponsor's home while the student attends YSU.

ACCEPTABLE DOCUMENTS for AFFIDAVITS

Applicants must demonstrate to YSU the ability to meet all educational and living expenses for the entire period of their intended study before this University can issue Visa Certification (form I-20 or DS-2019). All applicants are required to submit documentation that confirms funding is available for the annual costs of study. All documented sources of support must be:

• current (within twelve months of the starting date at YSU)
• written in English, or accompanied by a certified tranlation
• original - not faxed or photocopied, except for certified (notarized) copies of tax returns

Keep copies of all the documents sent to YSU; this information will be needed when applying to the U.S. Consulate for a student visa or to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security upon entry to the U. S. Upon request, the original financial documents will be attached to I-20's issued for visa applications and returned to students who are outside the U.S.

Universities require evidence of financial support for your entire program, in addition to liquid assets for the first year.

VISAS

Please read the following important information on obtaining your Form I-20 or DS-2019 and getting to the United States, or on transferring to our YSU from another school in the United States while maintaining your F-1 or J-1 status. Responsibility for obtaining and maintaining valid nonimmigrant status rests with the student.

Visas. In order to enter the United States to study, an international student will need a visa, usually either an F-1 Student Visa or a J-1 Exchange student Visa. To obtain the necessary visa, an applicant must submit a valid Form I-20 for an F-1 visa, or a Form DS-2019 for a J-1 visa, to the United States Embassy or Consulate in his or her country. These forms are issued by Youngstown State University. In addition to these forms, the applicant will have to present a valid passport and documentation of financial support.

1. Do Not Enter the U.S. with a B-1, B-2, or B-1/B-2 Visa or through the visa waiver program. It is effectively no longer possible to change from B-1/B-2 status to F-1 (or J-1) student status from within the United States; moreover, it is now a violation of B-1/B-2 status to begin study prior to obtaining the appropriate visa classification. You should follow the enclosed instructions to obtain a Form I-20, and apply for an F-1 student visa before entering the U.S.

2. If You Are Already in the U.S. as an F-1 or a J-1 Student at another school, college or university and you travel outside the U.S. between programs, you should present your YSU I-20 or DS-2019 to reenter the U.S. You are required to present the Form I-20 or DS-2019 from the school you intend to attend upon re-entry to the U.S.

3. You Do NOT NEED a Form I-20 or DS-2019 if you are a Dependent Spouse or Child (under the age of 21) in A, E, G, H-4, I, L-2. M-2. N, O-3, P-4, R-2, or TD status. Neither U.S. law nor YSU requires you to have an I-20 or to be in F-1 status to attend school, as long as the principal visa-holder continues in that status.

Contact the Center for International Studies & Programs if you have any questions on these important matters.