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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE NEW FEDERAL SEVIS FEE

Dear Prospective International Applicant:

Thank you for your interest in Bronx Community College, City University of New York. Please read the following material carefully regarding Nonimmigrant Student (F-1) Status. I have prepared these materials to assist you in your application process.

What is F-1 Status?
"F-1" is a nonimmigrant status, which is given to persons whose temporary purpose for being in the U.S. is for full-time studies.

What is a Form I-20?

The Form I-20 is a government form on which Bronx Community College certifies to the U.S. government that you are eligible for F-1 student status. That is, that you have met all admissions requirements, been accepted for a full course of study and shown that you have enough money to study and live in the U.S. without working illegally or suffering from poverty.

Who needs one?
You need a Form I-20 to obtain the F-1 student visa or to keep lawful F-1 status when transferring or changing schools in the U.S.

WARNINGS !

1. Do not enter the U.S. with a B-1, B-2, or B-1/B-2 Visa.
You are planning to attend school in the U.S. If you use a B visa to enter the U.S. you could be guilty of "fraudulent entry" and refused permission to stay longer than six months or to extend or change your status.

If you are not certain of your plans to study in the U.S. or there isn't enough time to get your Form I-20, you can ask the visa officer for a B-2 visa with the words "Prospective Student" on it or ask that these words be added to your B visa if you already have one. Take documents to prove that you have enough financial support for your studies.

2. Do not enter the U.S. without a visa, if you are from a country from which it is permitted to present a round trip airline ticket for entry as a visitor. You will be permitted to stay for only 90 days and will not be given more time or be able to change to student status.

Does everybody need one?

If you are maintaining another nonimmigrant status in the U.S., you do not have to have an 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 have no legal status, you may attend school, but you are not eligible to change status and do not need an I-20.


Getting your form I-20

1. Send your completed application for admission to:
The City University of New York,
University Application Processing Center
P.O. Box 350136
Brooklyn, NY 11235-0001:

2. After your acceptance you will submit the following documents to the international student office:
a) Documents, which prove that you can support your minimum annual expenses.
b) Sponsor's affidavit of annual financial support. Affidavit is enclosed in this packet and may be
photocopied if needed.

3. The International Student Advisor will then review your financial documents. If your documents are complete and meet the U.S. government's requirements, we will issue your I-20.

Proving Financial Support

You must be able to prove that you will have the financial support to cover your minimum annual expenses for the entire length of your program of study. The American Embassy or consulate requires that you provide sufficient evidence that funds are available to cover the entire length of your program of study. Our requirements are the same for issuing your form I-20.

The following is a breakdown of financial support that has to be proven depending upon your program of study:

1. Tuition and Fees - 4,655.00
2. Living Expenses - 17,614.00

NOTE: Documents must be in English, less than six months old, and in U.S. dollars.

1. Photocopies and faxes are accepted
" The American embassy will need your originals when you get your I-20 and apply for the F-1 visa.

2. Your sponsor's bank statement is more important than your sponsor's income
" Proof of your sponsor's income must be on the employer's letterhead, on income tax returns or receipts.
" The income of a company is not the income of the owner of the business.

3. Bank Statements
" Must say the date the account was opened and average annual balance.
" Bank statements must be less than six months old.
" Bank statements saying "enough" or "sufficient" funds are available, or that "the account holder is capable of supporting the student" will not be accepted. A dollar amount must be stated or indicated.

4. A sponsor is the source of the support
" A sponsor may be one or more family members, friends, organizations.
" A family member in the U.S. who is receiving money from another family member in another country to give to you is not a sponsor.
" You may sponsor yourself completely or partially. The amount in your account will be divided by the number of years in your program.

5. Sponsors must submit a "notarized" affidavit
" Each sponsor must submit an affidavit stating exactly what amount is to be provided annually.
" Affidavits must be signed by the sponsor in the presence of a notary public and the notary public's official seal must be put on it. There are notary publics at all U.S. embassies and consulates. There are notaries or government officials licensed to take sworn statements in all countries.

6. Non-liquid funds or property are not accepted
" Income from investments and property should appear in bank accounts.
" Retirement accounts are not accepted.

THE MOST COMMON REASONS FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS ARE REJECTED:

==> documents are too old
==> affidavits are not notarized
==> sponsors promise more money than they can afford
==> bank statements do not state the average annual
balance
==> sponsors submit bank statements as the only proof of
support
==> students submit bank statements in their names
showing just one year's minimum annual expenses
available
==> documents are not in English or do not indicate funds in U.S. dollars


MINIMUM EXPENSES AT BRONX COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOR THE CURRENT ACADEMIC YEAR

In order to help you plan financially for your study in the U.S. we have prepared the following list of estimated expenses:

Undergraduate tuition: Estimated cost $4,655.00. Immigration regulations require international students to enroll for a minimum of 12 credits per semester. Summer study is optional; students who attend classes during the summer normally enroll for one or two courses.

Living Expenses: Average cost $17,614.00 per year.

Living costs in New York City are high and vary considerably from person to person; therefore it is only possible to give an average figure. Some student may be able to spend less while others will need more depending on their lifestyle. Estimated costs include: rent, food, transportation, personal items, entertainment, clothing, etc.

Dependents: Average cost $5,000.00 per year, per person.
If you plan to have your spouse or children accompany you to the U.S., you must estimate an additional expenditure of $5,000.00 per year for the support and maintenance of each family member.

Total: $22,269.00 per year

Please Note: This budget does not include the cost of travel to and from your home country.

If you have further questions regarding budget or life in the U.S., please do not hesitate to contact us at (718) 289-5921, or by FAX at (718) 289-6352.


APPLYING FOR FORM I-20

Each prospective international student must establish their eligibility for form I-20. To do so you must complete an application for form I-20. Please click on the link below to print and application for form I-20.

Application for the Immigration Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20)

SPONSOR'S AFFIDAVIT OF ANNUAL
FINANCIAL SUPPORT

YOUR COMMITMENT AS A SPONSOR TO A STUDENT

When you complete the Sponsor's Affidavit of Financial Support, you are certifying and swearing to Bronx Community College, a public official, and the U.S. government that you can and will provide a student with a specific amount of money for every year of study at BCC.

It is assumed that you have carefully considered the real costs of supporting the student while living and studying in New York City and do not expect that he/she will be able to find employment or other support after beginning school. Employment is strictly controlled by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and is extremely difficult to get. You should anticipate that the student's expenses will increase 4-5% annually. Sponsors who fail to meet their stated commitment jeopardize the student's education and legal status in the U.S.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE AFFIDAVIT

1. Fill out the Affidavit of Support completely. Please print or type.
2. Promise to provide only the amount you intend and are able to give to the student.
3. Sign the affidavit in the presence of a notary public in the U.S. or other licensed official in your country. The notary public or official must sign and put the official seal on the affidavit.
4. Attach documents which prove that you are capable of this amount of support as explained below.
5. Documents must be in English, less than six months old and in U.S. dollars. Photocopies and faxes are accepted. The student will need the originals when going for the visa.

PROVING FINANCIAL SUPPORT

PROVE YOUR ABILITY TO SUPPORT THE STUDENT BY SENDING THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS:

1. An account statement from a bank or other financial institution stating the date the account was opened, total amount deposited for the past year, and present balance. Bank statements saying that "enough" or "sufficient" funds are available to support a student are not accepted. All statements must indicate U.S. dollar amounts.
2. You may also submit the following additional evidence:
a) Letter from your employer on business stationery stating your annual salary
b) Income tax returns or U.S. Forms W-2.

DO NOT SEND:

1. Information about non-liquid funds or property. It is assumed income from investments will appear in other accounts.
2. Retirement account information.
3. Bank statements or tax returns that are not in your name.

This Affidavit is made for the purpose of assuring Bronx Community College and the United States Government that all necessary costs to maintain the student throughout his/her tenure at the college will be met.

Click here to read about preparing for visa interviews