How to Request Your I-20
1. Calculate Funding in iCats
The following Total Funding information must be included in iCats Services eForm when requesting an I-20.
Note: To complete your request in iCats, you must be an admitted student.
| Description | Column 1: 2 Semesters (For standard fall and spring admits) | Column 2: 3 Semesters (Only use for summer start and other cases where summer enrollment is mandatory in the coming year) |
|---|---|---|
| A.Stipend | A1. Amount in Award Letter | A2. Amount in Award Letter |
| B. Tuition and Fees* | B1. $17,622 | B2. $26,433 |
| C. Estimated Living Expenses** | C1. $13,434 | C2. $17,912 |
| D. Health Insurance*** | D1. $2,259 | D2. $3,098 |
| Total Funding = A + B + C + D | Column 1 Total funding = A1 + B1 + C1 + D1 | Column 2 Total Funding = A2 + B2 + C2 + D2 |
*Tuition and Fees include the following: Instructional fee, non-resident fee, general fee, student information fee, legal fee, well-being fee.
**Living Expenses include the following: Room and Board, Books and Supplies, and Personal Expenses. Ohio University uses the "Living Wage Calculator."
***Health Insurance additional information
The expenses above are estimates only and are subject to change.
2. Request Your Certificate of Eligibility (I-20)
Based on recent updates with the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the International Student and Scholar Services Office (ISSS) has recommended that the Graduate College create electronic I-20 forms for travel signatures. Please refer to the guidelines below.
The electronic I-20 forms may ONLY be sent to your Ohio University email account, as that is the email account that is reported in your SEVIS record. There can be no exceptions to this rule.
Required Immigration Documents - Admitted Student
| Document | You are currently outside the United States | You are currently in the United States and are an Ohio University student | You are currently in the United States and are transferring to Ohio University |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport | Required | Required | Required |
| Bank Statement | Required | Required | Required |
| Current I-20 | Required | Required | |
| Visa | Required | Required | |
| I-94 | Required | Required | |
| Transfer-In Form | Required |
Required Immigration Documents – Dependent
F-2 dependents are defined as a spouse or an unmarried minor child (under 21 years of age) of an F-1 student.
F-2 dependents remain in status only as long as the F-1 from whom the status is derived remains in valid F-1 status (and only until attaining age 21 if a dependent child).
If you have dependents accompanying you while you study at Ohio University, you are required to provide proof of funds for their living expenses and health insurance in addition to your estimated expenses.
Document | You are outside the United States | You are currently |
|---|---|---|
| Dependent's Passport | Required | Required |
What Forms of Financial Documentation Are Acceptable?
All bank documents must:
- Have an issuance date (dated within 6 months of submission to Ohio University)
- Show the student’s name (or account holder’s name if the sponsor is someone other than the student)
- 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.
- Original language bank statement 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).
- Reflect funding that is readily accessible and liquid (funds can be withdrawn at any time).
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 for I-20 issuance will be requested.
Acceptable Account Types for I-20 Issuance (from overseas banking institutions)
• Savings
• Checking
• Ordinary Deposit
• 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 (from overseas banking institutions)
- Prepaid Cards
- Time/Term Deposits
- Savings Optional Deposit
- Fixed Deposit
- PF/PPF (India Retirement Account)
- Postal Savings Certificates
- Bonds
- Retirement Accounts
- Investment Funds
- Bank Loan documents
- Stock Market Accounts
- Letters of employment showing wage amounts
- Life Insurance Policies
- Money Market Accounts
- Credit Card Balances
- Assets
All documents (acceptable or unacceptable) submitted for issuing the immigration document become the property of Ohio University and will not be returned to the student.
Deadlines For Submission of Documents Required to Issue I-20
Financial (and academic) documents required to issue an Ohio University I-20 are due by the following dates* or no less than three months prior to the start of your first semester:
- Fall admission - May 15
- Spring admission - October 15
- Summer I admission - January 31
- Summer II admission - April 3
For information about obtaining a DS-2019, contact the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS).
*Subject to change without notice due to law or policy changes.