"APPLYING TO A U.S. university can be stressful and challenging. But with an acceptance letter in hand, prospective international students can move on to the next step in the admissions process: demonstrating financial ability to pay for tuition, books and living expenses while studying in the U.S.
Applicants will work with the designated school official, or DSO, who serves as a liaison between a school and the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. SEVP is a U.S. government program that ensures U.S. schools and international students comply with U.S. laws and regulations. DSOs “are required to receive, review and evaluate proof of financial responsibility for an international student prior to issuing the student a Form I-20,” Carissa Cutrell, a spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, wrote in an email.
An I-20 certifies that an international student has been admitted for full-time study once proof of financial ability is established. Cutrell says both prospective undergraduate and graduate students must provide evidence that meets their school’s specific requirements.
After a school issues an I-20, students are then eligible to apply for a student visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate. A U.S. government official will review the documents, including the evidence of financial ability, and make the final decision about whether a student can pay, and will then issue a student visa to study in the U.S.
‘There are different ways to finance study in the United States and requirements vary by U.S. higher education institution,’ a U.S. Department of State official wrote in an email." …