Michigan State University's (MSU) Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) issues Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status” and Form DS-2019 or "Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status" to eligible F-1 and J-1 students. Forms I-20 and DS-2019 allow an individual to apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa stamp at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.
OISS must obtain reliable documentation that the student has financial resources adequate to meet expenses while studying at MSU. MSU is required by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to receive, review and evaluate the availability of financial support before issuing immigration documents. Students must have accurate and up-to-date financial information printed on their immigration documents at all times.
The U.S. government require applicants to have enough readily available funds to meet all educational expenses for the first year of study. Students enrolled in one-year programs are required show proof of funding for the full length of the program. This includes tuition, fees and living expenses for three academic semesters (including summer). In most cases, the documentation we require may also be required at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate when applying for a visa stamp. You must keep a copy of your financial support documents to present during your visa appointment.
To obtain your I-20 or DS-2019 in a timely manner, follow the guidelines below when submitting your I-20 request or updating your finncial proof.
OISS receives the estimated funding requirements for international students annually from the Office of Financial Aid. We update the funding requirements in August of each year.
Minimum Funding Requirements for Issuance of I-20 or DS-2019:
*Students enrolled in a one-year program are required to show proof of funding for the full length of the program. This includes tuition, fees and living expenses for three academic semesters (including summer).
Note: The College of Engineering assesses an Engineering Program Fee each semester to all students that have been admitted to the College of Engineering.
Other Professional and Non-Degree Programs:
Financial support can come from several different sources; however, you must submit supporting documents for each source of funding.
Bank balance letter should be a maximum of one or two page(s) document detailing the requirements below:
Unacceptable proof of funding including, but not limited to,
Some international students come to the United States with their immediate families. The F-2 and J-2 visa is for a dependent spouse or an unmarried child who is under the age of 21.
F-2 & J-2 status enables dependents to stay in the United States during the student’s academic studies.
Students must provide documentation confirming that they have sufficient financial proof to support their dependents. In addition to the full funding requirements for the F-1 or J-1 student, student must also provide the following proof for each dependent:
Students who are recommended or approved for OPT and are not required to enroll for any credits, are required to show proof of living expenses and health insurance only. Students on OPT who wish to add a dependent must review the financial requirements for adding a dependent section.
In rare circumstances, OISS will prorate financial requirements for students who are extending their I-20 for one or two semesters. OISS will consider the following when prorating financial requirements:
International students who receive in-state fee classification for tuition purposes should submit proof of their in-state tuition fees. Students who receive in-state tuition and requesting an I-20 or an update to their I-20 should submit a copy of their most recent MSU billing statement with their request. Your MSU bill will be available in StuInfo.
Alternatively, a confirmation via email from the Office of the Registrar, Office of the Controller or Office of Financial Aid detailing your student ID and confirming that you have in-state fee classification is acceptable.
The United States government requires MSU’s Official for International Students and Scholars (OISS) to receive, review and evaluate proof of financial responsibility for the student before the issuance or extension of Forms I-20.
The financial information detailed on the I-20 is an estimate of expenses. OISS receives the financial information detailed on the I-20 from the Office of Financial Aid. Students are encouraged to work with the Office of the Controller for more detailed information about their expenses.
Estimated expenses include:
To be eligible for a J-1 student visa at least 51% of your total financial support must be from a source other than personal or family funds. This financial support may be a scholarship, fellowship, or assistantship from an external funding source such as your home government, a corporate sponsor, or assistantship from MSU.
Students with only personal or family funding are NOT eligible for a J-1 visa.
The I-20 and DS-2019 Forms reflect your expected program start date (usually a few days before the start of classes during initial semester) and program end date (usually the last day of expected final semester).
The program start and end dates is an estimate of the length of time an average student in a specific level of study would need to complete the program requirements. This is a fixed date for most students.
For most students, the program end date listed on the I-20 or DS-2019 will be updated by OISS (usually shortened) to reflect the actual program completion date. This update may happen during the student's final semester and/or when the student applies for post-completion practical training.
To ensure that international students are given adequate time for I-20/DS-2019 processing, SEVIS fee payment, visa application, visa appointment, and visa adjudication, I-20/DS-2019 requests must be submitted to the OISS by the deadlines below.
Fall Semester:
Spring Semester:
Summer Semester: