Certificate of Eligibility: Form I–20  

The Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20) is a document used by prospective students to apply and interview for an F-1 student visa to study in the United States. There are several sequential steps to follow in order to receive a Form I–20 from Hiram College. 

Steps

The Form I-20 is issued only after a student has sent the non-refundable (U.S.) $200 enrollment deposit along with the Notification of Acceptance form.

The Form I-20 issued must be correct and match all current documents. Therefore, we require a complete International Student Profile and clear copies of the biography page(s) of the passport (including the pages that show passport number and date of expiration). If a student is already studying in the U.S., we also require a Verification of Status form and photocopies of U.S. Visas, Form I–20s, and the most recent I-94 card.

Before issuing an I-20, schools are required to review evidence of sufficient financial support for international students to fund their education. Sufficient financial resources must be documented using the Certificate of Finances and Affidavit of Sponsorship (if applicable) . Complete financial documentation (such as 3 consecutive months of bank statements, official bank letters including account balance, employment letters including annual salary, tax records, etc.) to support the amounts stated on the certificate of finances and affidavit of sponsorship must be attached.  Financial documentation should also have an original signature and stamp by an official on each page.

The certificate of finances and complete financial documentation must be sufficient to satisfy the consular officer of financial resources to fund the estimated annual cost of education. The minimum amount of financial resources required is determined by subtracting financial aid scholarship/award from the total estimated costs. Students may show more than the minimum resources needed if the documents support it.

Estimated costs for 2008-2009

Tuition/Fees/Orientation fee

$25,250

Room and board (standard)

$ 8,380

Health insurance

$ 1,000

Books and miscellaneous expenses

$ 1,500

TOTAL

$36,130

For example, if a student is awarded the Global Garfield Scholarship of $12,000 and a Global Recognition Award of $2,000, the minimum amount of financial resources needed to document is $22,130 (calculated by subtracting $14,000 in financial aid from $36,130 in total estimated costs).

Please note: all students are eligible to work on campus in non-federal work study jobs. It is the students responsibility to locate on campus employment if desired.  Campus employment is not a guarantee.  Wages are earned based on hours worked and therefore cannot be included as a financial resource on the Form I-20.

Important information

  1. For many students, bank letters or bank statements showing account balances and 3 months of account history are the primary documents to demonstrate sufficient financial resources. The statement and history must be current (within 6 months).
  2. To help ensure a successful visa application, the U.S. Embassy/consulate advises students and their families and/or sponsors to provide several types of financial documentation. A bank statement alone is not enough. Additional documents show the funds to support education and help establish ties to home (and plans to return home upon completion of studies). Depending on family/sponsor circumstances, some of the following documents may be appropriate in addition to the bank statement:  
    • father, mother, (or) guardian employment letter and annual salary
    • income tax records from 2006 and 2007
    • stocks, investments, and/or overseas investments 
    • value of family business or partnership 
    • home, land/property deeds
  3. Many of our students look for support from a sponsor(s). Sponsors are a good source of financial support. A sponsor is a person other than you (i.e.. mother, father, uncle, aunt, grandparent, guardian, family business partner, friend, etc.) who is willing to financially provide for education expenses. Each sponsor must complete the affidavit of sponsorship form and send certified true and/or notarized financial documentation. 
  4. All financial documents and sponsorship attestations must be certified true and/or notarized. The U.S. Embassy/consulate and the student and exchange visitor program will not accept documents without verification. 
  5. All original documentation must be sent to us. Faxed copies cannot be used in place of original documents. However, we can review faxed copies and provide advice before we receive the originals.
  6. After we receive all necessary documents, we will issue the Form I-20 and send it by courier. Original financial documentation is returned with the Form I-20 to be used at the visa interview.

For further information, please contact:

(Ms.) Taryn M. Hale
Director, International Student Services

Hiram College

Office for International Student Services
P.O. Box 67 / 11715 Garfield Rd.
Hiram, OH 44234 

U.S.A.

Phone: (U.S. code:1) 330.569.5388
Fax: (U.S. code:1) 330.569.5183
Email: interal@hiram.edu