Definition of an International Student Requiring an I-20
You are an international student requiring an I-20 if you:
- Are currently studying in the United States on a student visa (F-1) in high school, college, or an English language program; or
- Intend to enter the United States with a student visa
Financial Documentation for I-20 Issuance
For students intending to hold a student (F-1) visa:
Government regulations require students who will hold a student (F-1) visa to prove to the university that they will be financially supported for the entire time they intend to be enrolled. For this purpose, you must submit the International Student Financial Statement (ISFS), which you may download.
The ISFS gives us information about you and your sponsor and the sponsor's willingness to be responsible for your educational and living expenses. We do not accept substitutes or any other form. The ISFS should be submitted at the time of application or shortly thereafter. Please note the following:
- Part II of the ISFS must be completed in its entirety. You must show assured support for each year you expect to attend Rutgers University.
- The International Student Financial Statement (ISFS) and all supporting documents must be signed and dated no more than nine months prior to your projected enrollment at Rutgers. You will be asked for updated funding information if required.
- Your sponsor must submit an original letter from his or her financial institution stating the amount of funds available in the account(s) that will be used to sponsor you. Funds must be documented in U.S. dollars. A letter stating that an account is available without the amount listed will cause a delay in completing your application for admission. If your sponsor prefers, an original letter from a U.S. employer stating the position and salary held by the sponsor is an acceptable form of financial documentation. These forms of documentation must be submitted at the time of application or shortly thereafter.
- Financial documents must be originals.
- Documentation of financial resources must be on bank letterhead.
- Monetary denomination must be listed in U.S. dollars only.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Students currently attending school in the U.S. will need to submit copies of all previous I20s and a copy of their I-94 Back to Top The I-20 Process
The I-20 is a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status for those who wish to study in the U.S. The I-20 form must be taken to the American embassy or consulate when you apply for a visa.
It is imperative that you submit all required documentation for I-20 issuance. You will experience a delay in receiving your I-20 if all documents are not received in a timely manner.
IMPORTANT: Apply for admission by the priority date in order to ensure that you will receive your I-20 in time to enroll. If all required information is not received, your admission may be canceled. If you are applying or reapplying, you must send updated financial documents dated no earlier than nine months prior to the start of the semester for which you are applying or reapplying.
You will be issued an I-20 after you have:
- Supplied all necessary financial documentation to the admissions office
- You and your sponsor must complete and return the International Student Financial Statement (ISFS) along with an original bank statement stating the amount of funds available in the account(s) that will be used to sponsor you.
- Been admitted
- Prospective students should read details included in our application information about the documentation they must provide in order for Rutgers University to issue an I-20.
- Accepted our offer of admission
- In the admissions notification packet is an Admission Acknowledgment Form that you must submit to indicate your intention to enroll at the university. Or you may indicate your intention to enroll online at Your Rutgers Status. When undergraduate admissions receives the acknowledgment form or online submission with the appropriate area checked (indicating that you need an I-20), an I-20 will be issued.
Back to Top International Student Adviser's Report
If you have accepted an offer of admission to Rutgers and you are currently studying in the U.S. on a student visa (F-1):
- You are required by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to notify your foreign student adviser of your departure.
- You and your current foreign student adviser must complete and return the International Student Adviser's Report, which you may download.
This form will give Rutgers University your Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) release date. This is the date given whereby Rutgers University will have permission to issue you a new I-20. See your current International Student Adviser for further explanation and details. - Prior to registering for classes at Rutgers, admitted international students must report to the following office on their regional campus:
New Brunswick/Piscataway
Center for International Faculty and Student Services
Rutgers University
180 College Avenue
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8537
(732)932-7015
Camden
Office of International Student Services
Rutgers University
311 N. Fifth St.
Camden, New Jersey 08102
(609)225-6043
Newark
Office of International Student Services
Rutgers University
Smith Hall, Room 235
Newark, NJ 70102-1811
(973)353-1427
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