Financial Support for International Students
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Congratulations on your acceptance to Rensselaer!

Confirm your enrollment—fill out the short Graduate Student Enrollment Confirmation Form, and let us know that you plan to accept the offer to join Rensselaer’s community of scholars.

Domestic Students

	Enrollment Next Steps (PDF)

If you are awarded funding from Rensselaer, you will need to make your enrollment decision by April 15th as per the Council on Graduate Studies Resolution Regarding Graduate Scholars, Fellows, Trainees and Assistants.

However, we encourage you to confirm your intent to enroll the moment you decide to attend Rensselaer. You are not required to wait until April 15th. Should you receive a financial aid offer from Rensselaer immediately before or after April 15, you will be given a date by which you must accept or decline the offer.

We do not require an enrollment deposit; however, you must complete the Graduate Student Enrollment Confirmation Form if you wish to enroll in a graduate program at Rensselaer. Students receiving Assistantships, Fellowships or Scholarships must also sign and return their award letters to receive funding.

All new graduate students (matriculated and non-matriculated/non-degree) are required to attend student orientation.

Visit the Office of Graduate Education site for details on orientation and teaching assistant training details for new graduate students, new teaching assistants, and current students awarded a teaching assistantship for the first time.

Fall entrants will be invited to a general orientation in August; if you are a spring entrant, you will be invited to a January orientation. Additional details will be provided.

Many departments/schools offer additional orientation activities. Please contact your department directly regarding your expected arrival date. If you are enrolling for the summer term, orientation will be offered by your department.

International Students

Your next step is to complete the Graduate Student Enrollment Confirmation Form and send in all required items on your Graduate Enrollment Checklist (sent separately via postal mail). We will confirm your intent to enroll after we have reviewed your documentation and issued your immigration documents, if required. We will contact you if we have questions or require additional information.

The Office of International Services for Students and Scholars (ISSS) conducts a mandatory orientation program for all new international students. You will be charged a non-refundable $35 fee for the program. International students and scholars should visit the ISSS website for additional information.

If you are receiving any type of financial assistance from Rensselaer, you will have your English proficiency assessed during orientation.

Due to immigration requirements, international students cannot register for courses prior to their arrival at Rensselaer. Registration will occur after meeting with the international advisor in the Office of International Services for Students and Scholars.

Financial Support

Admitted international students seeking a student visa (F-1/J-1) will need to provide proof of financial support to be eligible for the I-20/DS-2019. Bank statements must be original and dated within three months of the request for the I-20/DS-2019, which is generally the date that we receive the student’s Graduate Student Enrollment Confirmation form.

International applicants seeking a student visa (F-1/J-1) and whose financial support will be provided by a source other than Rensselaer must provide official documentation that sufficient funding is available to cover university fees, books, supplies, tuition, and living expenses for themselves and their dependents (if accompanied by family members) for the entire duration of their study at Rensselaer.

Acceptable sources of support include:

1. Rensselaer Financial Award
Your department will provide Graduate Admissions with a copy of your financial aid award. Students accompanied by family members must provide proof of financial support for their dependents for the duration of their study.

2. Self Support
If you have personal savings and intend to use this money for your financial support, a bank official must verify the funds that you have indicated are available via an official bank statement. Self-supported students must have sufficient funding to cover the entire duration of their program as funding for years subsequent to the first is generally not available for those not receiving a first- year award.

3. Parents/Individual Sponsors
If your parents or others are willing to sponsor your studies, they should indicate the amount of support they will provide. Your parent/sponsors must have an official of their bank include a current bank statement (certified and signed by the bank official) to verify their ability to provide the necessary funds for the duration of your program.

4. Government or Sponsoring Agency
Should your government or an international organization or foundation sponsor you, indicate the name of the agency and include a letter, signed by an authorized representative, detailing the terms of your award. The letter should provide the following information:

• Will the sponsoring agency pay your tuition, fees, and living expenses?
• What is the duration of the sponsorship: one year, two years, or renewable until the degree is awarded?
• Will your sponsor cover living expenses for your spouse and/or children to accompany you during your studies?

5. Other
You may have other sources of support (sponsors) not included above. Once you are admitted, you will be required to submit current financial support documents, including official bank statements signed by an official of the bank, that indicate the amount and source of support.

Please Note:

• If your program requires more than one academic year to complete, the official bank documentation or sponsor letter must show the likelihood for future funding through a sufficient bank balance or a bank officer’s statement that assets and income are adequate to cover all tuition and living expenses for the duration of your program. Generally, master’s degree programs may require up to two years of study.
• All documents must be in English and show the conversion of the national currency into U.S. dollars. Such statements must be dated within three months of the request for the I-20/DS-2019.
• Immigration eligibility documents (I-20/DS-2019) will be issued for full-time study only after an applicant is officially admitted, has established satisfactory English proficiency and financial support, and has confirmed his/her intent to enroll. Conditional documents are not issued.
• The official cost of attendance required for issuing the I-20/DS-2019 is announced in March each year. An annual increase of four to eight percent may be expected.