How to Apply for an I-20 Form as An International Student: A Step-By-Step Guide

8 min readJun 12, 2024

An international student landing in the United States for the very first time!

Before you can pack your bags to study in the US, there are some important steps to take. One of the most important is getting your I-20 form, which shows you’re eligible to be an international student. This guide will walk you through how to provide financial proof, fill out the I-20 request form, and submit it correctly. Follow these steps, and you’ll be all set for an amazing adventure studying in the U.S.

What is an I-20?

The I-20 form is a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status in the United States. It is a crucial document for international students planning to study in the U.S.

Steps for receiving an I-20

Step 1: Receive Admission Offer

After applying to your dream schools, once you are accepted, the school will send an admission offer. This offer is conditional upon receiving your financial proof and other required documents.

Step 2: Provide Financial Proof

To receive your I-20, you must prove that you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses for at least one year. The financial proof must be clear, detailed, and verifiable. Here’s an look at the types of financial proof and how to prepare them:

Types of Financial Proof:

1. Personal Funds:

Bank Statements: Provide bank statements from your personal bank account. The statements should show consistent balances over several months and clearly indicate that the funds are readily available.

Savings Certificates: If you have savings in the form of fixed deposits or certificates of deposit, provide official statements from your bank detailing these funds.

2. Family Funds:

Affidavit of Support: A parent or family member who will financially support you must complete an affidavit of support. This document must state their intent to support you financially during your studies and the specific amount they will provide.

Bank Statements of the Sponsor: Along with the affidavit, provide the bank statements of the family member. These should show consistent balances over several months and demonstrate their ability to support you financially.

3. Scholarships/Assistantships:

Award Letters: If you have received a scholarship or an assistantship from the institution, provide official award letters. These letters should specify the amount of funding, duration of the award, and any terms and conditions.

Institutional Sponsorship: If your school or any other organization is providing you financial aid, get official documentation detailing the amount and duration of the support.

4. Loans:

Approved Loan Documents: If you have taken a student loan, provide documentation from the lending institution. This should include the loan approval letter, amount sanctioned, and the terms of repayment. Here is what an approval letter looks like.

If you’ve secured a student loan to fund your studies, you’ll need to provide documentation from your lender. Here’s what you should include:

Loan Approval Letter: This is an official letter from the lending institution confirming that your loan has been approved. It should detail the amount of money you’ve been granted and any conditions associated with the loan.
Amount Sanctioned: Clearly state the total loan amount that has been approved. This is crucial for proving that you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses.
Terms of Repayment: Include the terms and conditions for repaying the loan. This usually covers the repayment schedule, interest rate, and any other specific terms agreed upon with the lender.

Examples from Universities

Each university has its own requirements for what they’d like to see your as part of your proof of funds, here are two examples:

Harvard University: Harvard requires that all loan documents clearly state the loan amount, the period covered, and the repayment terms. They also recommend ensuring that the documents are signed and dated by an official from the lending institution.
Stanford University: At Stanford, students must submit a formal loan approval letter that specifies the disbursement schedule. This helps the university understand when funds will be available for tuition payments.

Types of Loans to Consider

Federal Student Loans: These are loans provided by the U.S. government and usually offer lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options. International students might need a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Private Student Loans: Offered by banks or other financial institutions, these loans can cover education costs not met by federal loans. Interest rates and terms can vary, so it’s important to shop around and compare options.
University-Specific Loans: Some universities offer their own loan programs for international students. These can have competitive interest rates and favorable terms, tailored specifically to the needs of their student body.

Important Tips:

Currency Conversion: If your financial documents are in a currency other than USD, it’s essential to include a conversion to USD based on the current exchange rate. Use a reliable and current exchange rate source, such as XE.com or OANDA. Write the foreign currency amount first and put the USD equivalent in brackets next to it. For example, “10,000 EUR (approximately 11,200 USD as of [Date])”. Also, attach a printout or screenshot from the exchange rate website used for the conversion. This helps verify the rate you used.
Translation: If your documents are not in English, provide certified translations.
Verification: Ensure all documents are on official letterhead, signed, and stamped by the issuing institution.

Most colleges ask for certification of funds in a certain format. Here’s an example from Rutgers University.

Timings:

First, when should you apply for the I-20. Begin the application process as soon as you receive your acceptance letter from the U.S. institution. Apply for the I-20 at least 3–4 months before your course start date to ensure ample time for processing and visa application. Typically, it takes 2–4 weeks for the educational institution to process and issue the I-20 form after receiving all required documents. Once issued, the I-20 form is sent to you by email, which may take an additional week. From start to finish, the entire process can take approximately 4–6 weeks. It is advisable to plan accordingly to avoid any delays.

This form could look different for different universities so it’s best to follow the guidelines of your university’s page to fill it. Step three explains the general guidelines.

A beautiful campus you can explore… but only after you get your I-20

Step 3: Complete the I-20 Request Form

Once your financial proof is accepted, you must complete an I-20 request form provided by the institution. This form gathers detailed information about you, your program, and your financial situation.

Personal Information:

Full Name: As it appears on your passport.
Date of Birth: In the format MM/DD/YYYY.
Country of Citizenship: Your nationality.
Passport Number: Ensure your passport is valid.
Contact Information: Your current address, phone number, and email address.

Program Details:

Program of Study: The degree or program you will be enrolling in (e.g.Bachelor’s in Computer Science).
Start Date and End Date: The expected start and completion dates of your program. These dates should match the dates on your admission letter.
Campus: If the institution has multiple campuses, specify the one you will attend.

Financial Information:

Funding Sources: Detail each source of your funding (e.g., personal funds, family support, scholarship).
Amount: Specify the amount of money available from each source.
Supporting Documents: List the documents you are submitting as proof of funds.

Step 4: Submit the I-20 Request Form

After completing the I-20 request form, you need to submit it along with any additional documents required by the institution. Here’s how to do it:

Review Your Form:

Accuracy: Double-check all the information on the form for accuracy.
Completeness: Ensure all sections are filled out and all required documents are attached.

Submit Online or By Mail:

Online Submission: Many institutions allow you to submit the form and documents through an online portal. Upload all required documents in the specified format (e.g., PDF).
Mail Submission: If online submission is not available, send your documents via mail to the specified address. Use a reliable courier service and keep the tracking number. If you’re submitting via mail, you’ll want to do it as soon as possible to account for potential delays that may occur.

Confirmation:

Receipt of Submission: After submitting, the institution will usually send a confirmation email. Keep this email for your records.
Follow-Up: If you do not receive a confirmation within a reasonable time, follow up with the institution to ensure they received your documents. To make it simpler, here’s a template you could use:

Dear [University’s International Office/Admissions Office],

My name is [Your Name], and I have applied for the [specific program name] program at [University Name] for the [semester/year]. My student ID/application number is [Your ID/Number].

I am writing to follow up on the status of my I-20 form. I submitted all the required documents and information on [submission date], but I have not yet received a confirmation or the I-20 form. As my program’s start date approaches, I am concerned about the potential delays in my visa application process.

Could you please confirm if my documents have been received and provide an update on when I can expect to receive the I-20 form? If there are any issues or additional information needed from my side, please let me know at your earliest convenience.

Thank you very much for your assistance. I look forward to your prompt response.

Best,

[Your Name]

Wrapping up

Here are some examples of university I20 Form Requests:

Providing detailed financial proof and correctly completing and submitting the I-20 request form are essential steps in obtaining an I-20 form for studying in the U.S. Ensuring all documentation is accurate and complete allows for a smooth navigation of this process. Utilizing specific guidelines from your chosen institution will help ensure compliance with their requirements, facilitating a successful path to studying in the U.S.

Hey, I’m Krish! A fellow international student and the founder and CEO of roam. roam is an ecosystem that simplifies international student migration by putting together all the resources students need to start their lives in a new country in one place. We do this by publishing informative articles (like this one), creating personalized tools on our website, and building digital and in-person communities for international students.

If you have any questions regarding starting a life in the U.S. as an international student, feel free to reach out! We’re here to help :)