<p>When colleges ask international students for a bank statement (which I'm guessing is 100% of the time), are they checking whether i have sufficient funds for the first year or the ENTIRE four years? And say a college has fees totaling up to 50 grand... how much would they ideally expect me to have saved up in the bank? 35 ? 40 ? Any input would be greatly appreciated...</p>
<p>Visa policy is that students need to have 100% of the cost of attendance for their first year in liquid assets (e.g. in a checking or savings account) before their visa can be issued. Colleges are supposed to verify this before issueing your I-20. You also need to demonstrate a plan to finance the remaining years of your degree, but you don’t need to have the rest sitting in a bank account yet.</p>
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More than $50,000. You need documentation for the full cost of attendance - fees that the college charges, flights, insurance, personal expenses, etc.</p>
<p>If I have an H4 visa, then I would still be considered international correct ?</p>
<p>It depends. If you are not applying for a student visa, colleges aren’t technically required to verify your financial status. However, you should consider switching to an F-1 visa anyway. F-1 visas come with a limited work permit for off-campus internships, while H-4 students aren’t allowed to work at all. And you’d still be eligible to get your green card with your family if they get one. </p>
<p>On the flip side, H-4 students qualify for in-state tuition in some states while F-1 students do not. Just keep in mind that you lose your H-4 status at 21, and that the benefits of the F-1 visa (like off-campus employment) only kick in after a full academic year on the F-1 visa.</p>
<p>So if I have about 100 thousand set aside for tuition and expenses… can I still apply for financial aid since 100k wont cover all four years ? Will I be looked down upon if I apply for aid even though I have money for my first two years ?</p>
<p>Yes, you could still apply for financial aid. (However, if those $100,000 were set aside from your family’s current income, as opposed to a one-time inheritance, odds are that you wouldn’t qualify for aid, but you could try…)</p>