<p>weird. some schools ask for this form, some schools don't. what is this form about? </p>
<p>also, if I'm planning on taking a gap year (till 2009) after being admitted, am i allowed to submit this certification one year later? cos from what I know and from what the form says, it's for visa purposes and I'd only need to apply for the visa in 2009 if admitted.</p>
<p>The form requires you to state how much you will be able to pay for all 4 years. If you cannot pay the full amount, I believe they put your application with the students applying for aid.
In your situation, its best to call the school(s) and check.</p>
<p>OH, forgot to mention that i'm applying for financial aid. i'm actually applying for financial aid right now with my freshman application. what i meant was, some schools require me to submit just the international student FA application form, some require the certification of finances IN ADDITION to that. what's up with that?</p>
<p>also, since i'm taking a gap year, am i allowed to submit the certification only in my year of entry?</p>
<p>^No idea, call the school asap.</p>
<p>All colleges require the Certification of Finances or a similar document at one point or another. Some request it along with the initial applications, others don't want it until after you decide to enroll.</p>
<p>A little background info: the Certification of Finances is only indirectly required for the visa. In order to apply for a visa, you need a document called I-20 which is issued to you by your college. When issuing this document, colleges guarantee to the American government that they have checked your financial background (for which many colleges use the Certification of Finances). When colleges do this background check is their own choice.</p>
<p>Considering your plan to postpone your enrollment for a year, you might want to contact your colleges and ask if they want the Certification of Finances now or next year (or both).</p>