Obtaining your I-20
To be issued an I-20, you must demonstrate ability to support your education and living expenses for the 9-month/two semester academic year (minus any scholarships you have been granted). The following documents must be uploaded to the iCats portal:
- Passport information page
- Bank Statement(s) of your financial sponsor(s)
- International Student Financial Sponsor Form for each individual (including yourself if you are contributing) who will be financing your study and living expenses while at OHIO.
Requirements For Bank Statements and Financial Documentation
Financial documentation is required to accompany each financial sponsor form submitted to iCats. The most common form of documentation submitted is bank statements for the account(s) being used to cover your expenses.
All bank documents must:
- Include an issuance date (dated within 6 months of submission to Ohio University)
- Show your name or account holder’s name if the sponsor is not yourself
- Reflect funding that is readily accessible and liquid (funds can be withdrawn at any time)
- Indicate the type of account (checking, savings), account number (showing at least the last four digits of the account number), and the current balance of the account expressed in USD. If the account is not in USD, the document must clearly state the currency of the account.
- Be on official bank letterhead. NOTE: The bank statement or letter must be scanned and submitted in color.
- Documents in a language other than English must be accompanied by an official English translation by the bank (with an official bank stamp) or a government translation service (with an official stamp/seal).
Additional Requirements for Business Sponsors
If you are being sponsored by a business, you will need to submit the business bank statement as described above as well as an official letter of sponsorship. Business owner(s) must submit the following:
- An official letter on company letterhead stating they are sponsoring the student and the total value of that sponsorship
- List the name of the business owner(s) with signature
Financial documents may be verified for authenticity and are accepted at the discretion of the Designated School Official. The Designated School Official can also ask for the submission of additional documentation.
In case of a deferred application, new financial documents will be requested before issuing a new or updated I-20
Acceptable Bank Account Types:
- Savings
- Checking
- Savings Deposit
- Passbook Deposit/Savings
- Demand Account/Deposit
- Collection Savings
- Deposit Certificates
- Bank Loan documents/Promissory notes (with acceptable or no conditions)
Unacceptable Account Types:
- Assets
- Prepaid Cards
- Time/Term Deposits
- Savings Optional Deposit
- Fixed Deposit
- PF/FFP (India Retirement Account)
- Postal Savings Certificates
- Bonds
- Retirement Accounts
- Investment Funds
- Bank Loan documents
- Stock Market Accounts
- Letters of employment showing wages earned
- Life Insurance Policies
- Money Market Accounts
- Credit Card Balances