<p>Hello! </p>
<p>I am an international student applying to college in the US and I had to fill out Certification of Finances.
I was wondering what is it's purpose? If I declared that my parents can give me $2000 a year (which is approximately the maximum amount they can afford, and will be delivered monthly in small amounts; I intend this to be my pocket money) , do they subtract this amount from the financial aid the college will provide to me? I am aiming for full financial aid. This is the same amount I declared in the CSS profile on "Enter the amount your parents think they will be able to pay for your 2013-14 college or university expenses.".</p>
<p>the purpose is to show the college all of your family’s finances. Colleges don’t care what parents “say” they can pay. Colleges want to see all that you have and then decide what to give you.</p>
<p>What school is this? Does it “meet need” for int’ls?</p>
<p>What YOU say you can afford, and what your parents say is affordable is not as important to the school as what your family has in assets and what they make. They also don’t just take your word for it. They have to check it out. For those filing US tax returns, a copy has to be linked and the colleges cross check that info. For foreign students they have a methodology depending on the country to verify what you should be paying. It goes by formula so that those with your income and assets will be required to pay the same amount, regardless of expenses and preferences. </p>
<p>You don’t call the shots on this. When you apply for your student visa, you may have to show that your family has money to back you as well as whatever the school chooses to award to you. When you ask for money from any organization, they have the right to get all of the infomration they want and to verify it all, because people tend to lie about these things in order to get more.</p>
<p>Yes, the college provides the full, calculated financial need of all the financial aid applicants. I have also submitted my parents’ income statements and the the CSS profile, so the college can calculate how much they will give me. The amount I mentioned is almost all that’s left to my parents after paying all the taxes and expenses.</p>
<p>The school will verify all of your numbers with whatever methodology they use for your country. And if this school does guarantee to meet full need for international students as well as US student, you will get that need met, but it will be need as defined by the school’s formula not yours or your parent’s. They are not interested in expenses except as allotted by formula. Need is very much income based and also takes into account assets and properties. You may get more than you have stipulated that your parents can afford, or you may get less. The decision is not based on your answer to that question. It’s asked in hopes that more avenues of funds can be opened.</p>
<p>"The purpose of the ISCF is to help the college obtain complete, accurate, and standardized information about the funds available to international applicants who wish to study in the United States. Colleges must verify the financial resources of international applicants, and financial verification must be made prior to institutional issuance of a Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20) which is needed for a student visa. By completing and returning the ISCF to the College, an applicant, if admitted, may obtain the College’s authorization and issuance of a Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20).</p>
<p>It is important that you answer each of the questions and obtain the appropriate signatures; otherwise, the form will be considered incomplete. A bank official’s signature and seal is required on the certification if the student is partially or totally supported by personal savings. A complete ISCF will help United States consuls make their decisions and help expedite the issuance of a student visa."</p>
<p>That is the purpose of the form. I think you’ve already asked this question elsewhere and had it answered, did you not?</p>
<p>Do they ask for money I already have? Or money that I will get every month from my parent’s income? </p>
<p>8b. PARENTS
Money available from sources
other than savings.</p>
<p>I think your best course of action is to contact the school for advice.</p>