Below are the accepted financial documents and the information required to demonstrate proof of funding for your I-20 or DS-2019 to be processed. To avoid delays, please refrain from calling or emailing to inquire about the status of your I-20. We understand the importance of this document and are processing requests as quickly as possible. An email will be sent to your S&T Student Email Account once your I-20 is completed, or if any required items are missing.

Financial Institution Certification Form

Complete the Financial Institutional Certification Form found on the linked page. Please provide the following information in English:

• Name of the account holder
• Current available balance of the account
• Official bank stamp and the signature of an authorized bank representative
• Acceptable account types: Business, Investment, Checking, Savings, Current, Deposit

Bank Balance Certification Letter

All balance certification letters must include the following:

• Name of the account holder
• Current available balance of the account
• Official bank stamp and the signature of an authorized bank representative
• Acceptable account types: Business, Checking, Savings, Current, Deposit
• Financial institution letterhead, including logo, address, email, and telephone number
• Official bank stamp and signature of an authorized bank representative
• If the account is not in your name, you must complete an Affidavit of Support. Otherwise, this form is not required.

Graduate Assistantship Offer Letters

Offer letters are considered financial funding documents and must include the signatures of both the faculty member and the student.

Educational Loan Letters

Please submit an educational loan letter translated into English that includes the following:

• Date of issuance
• Approved loan amount
• Statement indicating the loan is approved for educational expenses
• Official financial institution letterhead, including logo, address, email, and telephone number

Non-Acceptable Financial Documents

• Bonds
• Certificates of Deposit
• Chartered accountant statements
• Credit card statements
• Employer letters or salary statements
• Fraternity scholarships
• Life insurance statements
• Non-liquid investments
• Real estate statements
• Stock market statements
• Tax return documents
• Valuation statements (jewelry, gold, property)
• Cryptocurrency accounts or wallets
• Online account screenshots

Sponsored students are on full scholarship from their home government, company, or other sponsoring organization. This does not include funding from family members, friends, or through education loans. For their I-20 or DS-2019 to be issued, we require a financial guarantee letter from the sponsor which includes the following information:

• Student’s name
• Beginning semester – must state specific semester (for example, Fall 2017)
• Major to which student was admitted – must state specific degree program (for example: Petroleum Engineering)
• Degree level – must state specific degree level (for example: BS or Bachelor’s)
• Duration of sponsorship
• If English language training is covered
• If insurance is covered
• If the sponsorship covers dependents
• Stipend amounts

Financial guarantee letters should be sent to Sponsored Student Services at iasss@mst.edu. If sponsored students or sponsors have any questions about the financial guarantee, please use the email just mentioned.

To request a deferral complete the Change of Term/Admission Cancellation Form

When you receive the updated admission letter, which will be received in your application portal, log in to the ISSS Gateway Portal, go to the Request Center, select deferral request, upload a copy of the deferral admission letter, and submit.

Please read over the deferral policy:

• Students are allowed to defer only once, and only to the next term that the program enrolls.
• Funded Students (those holding a GA) or PhD non-funded can defer up to two terms at one time.
• Departments will need to let Admissions know if funding is available for the term selected. The student email requesting the deferral will need to be included in that permission.
• For students from countries impacted by the travel ban*, we will allow additional flexibility with deferral requests. Students can be approved to defer more than once. 

• $100 Deferral Deposit fee applies and must be paid in advance by the student to defer.*  

• The $100 deferral deposit is typically required in advance, but this fee will be waived for students needing to defer from Fall 2025.

• Students will have to reapply for admission after they have reached the deferral limit above. 
• If students have already deferred once, they must reapply.
• If a student reapplies, they will need to pay any associated application fees.

*The deferral fee of $100.00 will be applied toward the student’s account once the student enrolls.

 By paying this fee, you are confirming that you have read and understood this policy and confirm the deferral.

Once you've submitted the Change of Term/Admission Cancellation Form, the deferral deposit will be added to your account. Upon receiving your payment, your deferral request will be processed and an updated admission letter will be issued.  

When you receive the deferral admission letter login to the ISSS Gateway Portal go to the Request Center, and select deferral request.  You will need to upload a copy of the deferral admission letter and submit the deferral request for an updated I-20.

*Countries impacted by the travel ban include:  

1. Afghanistan
2. Myanmar
3. Chad
4. The Republic of the Congo
5. Equatorial Guinea
6. Eritrea
7. Haiti
8. Iran
9. Libya
10. Somalia
11. Sudan
12. Yemen
13. Burundi
14. Cuba
15. Laos
16. Sierra Leone
17. Togo
18. Turkmenistan
19. Venezuela

Spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 years old are considered dependents of F-1/J-1 students.  They can be admitted the United States under the F-2/J-2 non-immigration status.

To add a dependent, include the required documents listed below and upload to your application status page.

• Copy of passport for each dependent
• Copy of marriage certificate for your and your spouse (must be in English)
• Copy of birth certificate for each child (must be in English)
• Financial Documentation: An Additional $4,000 of financial support for each dependent is required

To see your programs estimated cost of attendance, review the Student Financial Services Cost Estimates Page.

Be sure to select your academic level (Freshmen Undergraduates, Transfer Undergraduate, or Graduates) and your residency status as international. 

You will also find that in your ISSS Gateway Portal, your estimated cost of attendance will be listed during the I-20 or DS-2019 request process.