If you have a US passport and are applying to a US college, you do not need to submit a financial statement even if you mistakenly receive a form asking you for one. If, however, you are not a US citizen, you will be required to obtain a visa from the US Department of Immigration before you travel to the US to attend college.

To be eligible for a visa, you must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds available to pay for your expenses while you are in the US. Therefore, you will have to submit a "financial statement" listing the names of the persons (probably your parents) who will be paying for your education. You may either use the university's form or this generic financial certification form from The College Board. Most colleges require the form at the time you apply, but a few don't ask for this until you've been accepted.

As part of this documentation, you will have to provide a statement from a bank certifying that funds are available. Since many bank officials are naturally leery of signing a form they don't completely understand, they may not want to certify the form. In that case, ask for sufficient official copies (one for each college where you'll be applying) of a financial statement of account or a letter written in English indicating your parents have sufficient funds available to support your college expenses, and attach it to the form provided by the college. That approach is perfectly acceptable to almost all colleges.

Once you've been accepted and decided to attend a particular school you will take your I-20 form to Chile Express to get your F-1 visa.

New SEVIS Fee Requirements

Beginning September 1, 2004, a new United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule goes into effect. This rule requires F-1 and J-1 visa applicants to pay a one-time fee of $100 to supplement the administration and maintenance costs of the Student and Exchange Information System (SEVIS). The fee must be paid at least 3 business days prior to applying for your visa.

To Pay Online

1. Find the Form I-901 at www.FMJfee.com
2. Complete the form online* and supply the necessary Visa, MasterCard, or American Express information. (*Be sure to write you name exactly as it appears on your I-20 form.)
3. Print a copy of the online receipt.
4. Be sure to make copies of your receipt and keep it with your other important immigration documents

What if my F-1 visa application is denied?

The SEVIS fee will not be refunded. However, if you reapply for a new F-1 visa within 12 months of the denial, you will not have to pay the fee again

Student Visa Documents

Acceptance to a U.S. college or university does not guarantee that a foreign student will be granted a F-1 student visa. U.S. officials are required by law to presume that people applying for visas intend to stay in the U.S. permanently. That is, consular officers are charged with finding reasons to deny a visa application - not reasons to approve it. Consequently, students must do all they can to give officers no reason to deny their application. Detailed preparation is the key for a successful visa application.     (NACAC Bulletin)

Necessary Documents:

Form I-20 from university/college verifying acceptance to institution.
Visa application form
Passport-sized photos
Passport that is valid for at least six months after the scheduled date of entry into the United States
Receipt for SEVIS fee
Payment of visa processing fee

Assembling Evidence:
Although the documents listed above are the only ones officially required for all visa applications, students still need to assemble materials to support their application. Dress appropriately for the interview, and display a respectful, businesslike attitude.

Proof of Student Status - Transcript, certificate of attendance, copies of standardized test scores, diploma, letter of admission, financial aid award.

Proof of Ties to the Home Country - Evidence the student has no ties to the U.S. and will return to his/her home country after education in the U. S. is completed - Strong ties to family members, job waiting upon completion of studies, ownership of land or property in home country, evidence other family members have returned to home country after education in United States.

Proof of Financial Support - Documents that demonstrate adequate financial resources to pay for school and living expenses in the U. S. - Bank statements, proof of income (stocks or other investments), record of parents' current salaries, business license if the parents are business owners, documents of scholarship or financial aid.

It is important to note that it is illegal for F-1 students to hold down an off-campus job during their first year of study. Because of these employment restrictions, students cannot rely on income from jobs to pay for their expenses.

Student Should be Prepared to Answer the Following Questions:

Why do you wish to study in the United States?

Why did you choose this particular college?

What are your career plans?

Are these kinds of jobs available in your country?

How will studying in the United States prepare you for a job here at home?

What have you been involved in that shows your commitment to staying in your home country?

If the visa is denied, students have the right to ask for the reason in writing. Gather any documents that were missing from the first application, then reapply with your additional evidence. Applicants should remain polite, positive, and respectful, and answer questions concisely and clearly. There is no way to guarantee a visa, but you can increase your chances by having good documentation and being well prepared.

If you are not a US citizen but are looking for financial aid to attend a US university, eduPASS provides excellent information. A list of colleges and universities that provide aid to international students is included.