International applicants seeking a student visa (F-1/J-1) and whose financial support will be provided by a source other than Rensselaer must certify that sufficient funding is available to cover university fees, books, supplies, tuition and living expenses for themselves and their dependents (if applicable) for the entire duration of their study at Rensselaer.
To assist you, a brief description of acceptable sources of support follows:
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 dependants for the duration of their study.
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 available. Self-supported students must have sufficient funding to cover the entire duration of their program.
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.
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 include answers to the following questions:
- 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?
Other
You may have other sources of support (sponsors) not included above. Once you are admitted, you will be required to submit financial support documents, including official bank statements signed by an official of the bank, that indicate the amount and source of support.
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, this would be two years for M.S./MBA/MFA and five years for Ph.D. 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-20A-B/DS-2019.
