Form I-20

Do all international students need a Form I-20 form?

No.  Some international students do not need a Form I-20 form.  For example, international students on a J-1 visa need a Form DS-2019 and should ask Kutztown University for the application. If you are maintaining another nonimmigrant status in the U.S., you do not have to have a Form I-20 and may attend school full- or part-time.  Dependent children in E, F, H, I, J, L, M, N, O, P, R, or S status need to change status after their 21st birthday or if they marry. If you do not have any legal status, you may attend school but you are not eligible to change status and do not need a Form I-20.

How do I receive an I-20?

This next section contains the rules for issuance of your Form I-20 by Kutztown University. Read and follow them very carefully. You cannot complete this process without following them step-by-step.

Kutztown University may ask you to give additional evidence of your financial ability to pay for university, perhaps more than once. The U.S. government requires Kutztown University to be sure you will have enough financial support to cover the full costs of your stay in the U.S. Kutztown University insists students and their families look closely at the costs of living and studying in the U.S. and make careful plans to be sure your needs will be met.

Rules for I-20 form issuance:

·      Carefully review Kutztown University’s “Annual Financial Requirements for International Students.” They represent a modest average budget which does not include luxuries of any kind. Kutztown University strongly recommends you budget at least 10% more if possible. Expect annual increases in tuition and living costs of about 5%.

·      Do not expect that you will be able to work in the U.S. to help meet your annual costs! Off-campus employment is strictly controlled by the Immigration Service and opportunities on-campus are very limited and competitive.

·      All financial documents you send Kutztown University must be current and in English. Please send photocopies or faxes, not originals. You will need to keep the originals of all the documents you have sent Kutztown University to take to the U.S. Embassy after you receive your I-20.

·      Your financial support can come from any combination of sources explained below. It is possible to support yourself with your own personal funds which come only from your own income or resources. It is also possible to have sponsorship from family, friends, or organizations. Provide the following information to prove your ability to fund your program of study at Kutztown University:

Bank Statements – Be sure it states the date the account was opened, current balance in U.S. dollars, average deposits and average balances. If the bank statement shows that your funds are “fixed”, meaning that they do not produce substantial income, your balance will be divided by the number of years in your program of study to determine the amount you will have available to you for each year of study.

Employment Letter – This letter should certify the employee’s salary. Also note if you are on authorized employment or continuing to be paid by your home country employer.

University Funds - You may support yourself with funds from this school such as an academic scholarship or international financial aid. University support does not cover all expenses, however, so you will need additional resources to meet your minimum annual costs. Provide us with a copy of your award letter or contract to prove you will receive this form of support.

Sponsors - You may have as many sponsors as you need. It is highly recommended at least part of your financial support come from your home country for purposes of visa issuance. Sponsors may provide you with support in the form of cash. A sponsor should promise only what he or she intends to give and only as much as can be afforded. Each sponsor providing cash support must give us all the following documents to prove financial responsibility. If all these documents are not received, your sponsor’s support will not be considered.

1.     Affidavit of Financial Support: This form may be photocopied for each sponsor. All questions must be answered. Affidavits must be signed by the sponsor in the presence of a notary public, the notary public must sign, and the official seal of the notary public must be on the affidavit. There are notaries public at all U.S. embassies. In the U.S., most neighborhood pharmacists, lawyers, and accountants are notaries. There are notaries in all countries, though the names for them may be different. They are officials licensed by the national or regional government to take sworn statements for courts of law or to witness contracts and property deeds.

2.   Bank Statements: All bank statements must be in the name of the sponsor, and state the date the account was opened, current balance in U.S. dollars, average deposits, and average balances.