<p>I live in US two month on H-4, and it is boring because I am not eligible to work, so I decide to continue my education. I want to go to a community college to take some credits (and to improve my English!:)) and then transfer to a university. </p>
<p>I wrote a letter to one of the community college, and they said my husband cannot be my sponsor because he on visa. If I would provide my own financial support I must to prove my ability to pay and show them $17000 on my bank account (this sum includes living expenses, health insurance, tuition, etc). They need to see that the money has been in my account for at least 3 consecutive months. Deadline date is May, 15, so I would need to have this money in February x_x
Is it a typical situation? May colleges require me to proof just a cost for study?</p>
Yes, they may. In fact, colleges are legally required to verify the financial resources of foreign students before issueing any visa documents. </p>
<p>That being said, your husband’s income + savings should be perfectly fine resources to finance your education with. It shouldn’t matter that he’s in the US on a visa. He has the money, he’s willing and able to give it to you, end of story. I’ve also never heard of a requirement to have money in your account for 3 consecutive months. All other colleges I know are content with a single bank statement.</p>
<p>You have a few options moving forward. You could try talking to the college again. Try to get ahold of someone ‘higher’ than the last person you talked to (e.g. the head of admissions if you were previously talking to an assistant, or the dean of the college if you were previously talking to the head of admissions) and meet with them in person. They’ll be much more sympathetic with a real human being in their office than a page of text in their email inbox. </p>
<p>An important lesson I recently learned in dealing with colleges: Someone has the power to override the rules. You just have to get ahold of that person.</p>
<p>A second option would be to enroll at a different college, if you live in an area with multiple colleges. Since I have never heard of financial rules as strict as this, odds are that another college in the area would be more accomodating. Lastly, if you do have the money, your best option might be to comply with their request and organize your accounts so that you can provide them with 3 months’ worth of bank statements in May.</p>