Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant (F-1) Student Status

The Form I-20 is issued to the student who has applied and has been accepted/admitted to study at the University. All information pertaining to applying to the University for admissions can be found on the Admissions website.

Once the student is admitted to the University the students file is reviewed by the Immigration Services Associate to determine I-20 issuance. The Form I-20 will only be issued after the student shows proof of financial responsibility. This proof will comprise of an affidavit of financial support and supporting evidence.

Financial Support
The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement requires that students show proof of financial responsibility in order to be issued the Form I-20. View summary of Tuition & Fees.

Affidavit of Financial Support
This form must be completed by the individual(s) who is going to be assuming financial responsibility for the student while studying in the United States. Affidavit of Support Form

• All sections of the form must be completely filled out.
• This form must show that the individual will be supporting the student with at least the minimum estimated amount of financial support required. The dollar amount required is to be quoted in U.S. Dollars only. Please take this into consideration when doing a currency conversion. These amounts must be clearly stated on the form.
• The document must be signed by the financial supporter and also notarized.
• The affidavit of support must be current within six months.

Supporting Evidence of Financial Support
These documents offer evidence of financial ability. Supporting evidence may be in the form of bank statements, financial documents or employment verification letters.

• Bank statements must include the current balance. For security reasons, you should blockout the account number except for the last four digits.
• Letters from bank officials attesting to bank accounts must state a specific dollar amount.
• Partial bank statements cannot be used as financial evidence.
• Internet generated bank statements cannot be used as financial evidence.
• Any document submitted must be an original document issued on  the institution’s letterhead stationery.
• Employment verification letters must state employment start date, monthly/annual salary and that the employment is full-time.
• The supporting evidence documents must be current within six months.

Obtaining a Student Visa

Embassy Appointment
Once the student has satisfied the admissions and financial responsibility requirements he/she will be issued a Form I-20. The student should carefully read the Form I-20 and check Item 5 for the latest date (report date) that he/she can arrive in the U.S. and also verify that all the information is correct. The student should schedule his/her embassy appointment as early as possible after he/she has received the Form I-20. At the embassy appointment the following documents must be presented to the officials at the embassy:

• Form I-20
• Letter of admission
• Evidence of financial support/affidavit
• Proof of payment of SEVIS Fee
• Valid passport

SEVIS Fee
The Student Exchange and Visitor Information System manages data on foreign students. A SEVIS fee is required of all foreign nationals who come to the U.S. to pursue a full course of study. The fee is US $200.00 and is separate from the visa application fee. The fee must be paid prior to the visa appointment. A student visa will not be processed at the embassy until the embassy can verify that the SEVIS fee has been paid.

The fee may be paid by internet, mail or Western Union. Any of these three methods will require completing of Form I-901. Fee Remittance for Certain F, J. and M Non-immigrants can obtained online at www.FMJfee.com In order to complete the form and pay the SEVIS fee the student must first be issued the Form I-20. The Form I-901 will require the student’s SEVIS identification number and the school code. This number will be on the student’s Form I-20. Once the fee is paid the student should immediately print a copy of the receipt. Students are advised to pay the SEVIS fee at least 3 to 5 days prior to the embassy appointment. The student is also advised to take the copy of the receipt to the embassy appointment.

Travel to the U.S.A

After the student has obtained the F-1 Student visa he/she will need to make travel arrangements. When  traveling to the U.S. the Form I-20, admissions letter, evidence of financial support, and a valid passport will have to be carried personally and  should not be packed into checked baggage/luggage as they will have to be presented to the customs/immigration agents at the airport.

The closest airports to Prairie View A&M University are:

• George Bush Intercontinental
• William P. Hobby

For airport information please follow the link provided: Houston Airports. 

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