Financial Guarantee Requirement for New Students

Immigration regulations require us to verify that you have enough funds to cover the cost of tuition and fees, living expenses, health insurance and (if applicable) dependent expenses before issuing an I-20 or DS-2019.

Use the appropriate calculator below to determine the amount required for a new I-20 or DS-2019. The amounts are based on a calculation of estimated expenses, using 2023-2024 tuition and fee rates.  The actual cost of tuition and fees may change, depending on your academic program, admit term, special course fees and iCourse fees. 

For degree-seeking students, this amount represents the estimated cost to attend the University of Arizona for one academic year.

NEW TO MAIN CAMPUS CALCULATOR

If you are at a distance campus (for example, University of Arizona South) please send us an email to find out the amount required.

Additional Information

We can accept the following types of funding to satisfy your financial guarantee requirement:

Bank Letter/Statement that includes:

  • Account type (must be readily accessible funds like checking, savings or fixed deposit)
  • Account holder (if not the student, the account holder must sign the Declaration of Support)
  • Date within the last 6 months
  • Current account balance and currency (detailed transaction history not required)
  • Business accounts must include a business license showing proof of ownership

Loan Award Letter that includes:

  • Loan approval (not loan applications)
  • Total amount and time period of disbursement

Scholarship/Merit Awards

  • When submitting a request for an I-20/DS-2019, you will be asked to indicate the type of scholarship you are receiving. No additional documentation is needed for Global Wildcat Award and Athletic Scholarships. For all other scholarships, be prepared to upload a scholarship award letter confirming the award amount and duration. 

Outside Government/Organization Sponsorship

  • When submitting a request for an I-20/DS-2019, you can indicate whether you or your sponsor will submit the Financial Guarantee to ISS. If you have a copy of your Financial Guarantee from your Sponsor, upload it to the Financial Guarantee Upload e-form.

Graduate Department Funding

  • When submitting a request for an I-20/DS-2019, you will be asked to enter the name and email for your department contact in the e-form so they can confirm your funding amount.

We cannot accept the following:

  • Statements verifying employment or salary
  • Property or personal assets (automobiles, land, buildings, jewelry, etc.)
  • Lines of credit
  • Assets such as stocks, bonds, equities, retirement accounts
  • Funding from other F or J visa holders
  • Insurance policies

Background 

The International Student Fee covers the cost of maintaining university compliance with U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Department of State (DOS) regulations.  

The University Fees Committee originally approved the International Student Fee in 2002 after Congress passed legislation requiring creation of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). SEVIS is a program that is required by law, but it is not funded by the government, which means that the responsibility for funding and maintaining the program falls on those who are required to use it. 

SEVIS-approved schools must follow immigration regulations for admission and enrollment of international students through on-going monitoring and reporting in SEVIS. DHS and DOS approve schools through re-certification and re-designation every two years. Failure to maintain compliance would make the University of Arizona ineligible to admit or enroll international students. 

Services Provided 

The International Student Fee is used to provide a comprehensive suite of services for international students throughout their University of Arizona experience, including the following: 

  • Pre-arrival guidance on visas and entry to the United States 
  • SEVIS reporting, including initial record activation, address changes, semester enrollment and program/major changes 
  • Software licensing to facilitate immigration requests and reporting (MyGlobal) and tax filing (Sprintax) 
  • Immigration document processing, including travel signatures, CPT authorization, program extensions, and reduced courseload authorizations 
  • Trained international student advisors available 5 days/week to help international students navigate complex and ever-changing F-1 and J-1 immigration regulations  
  • Retention and engagement programs to support international students 
  • Airport pick-up for newly arrived students to campus 
  • Mental health counseling from embedded UArizona Counseling and Psych Services (CAPS) counselor 

Fee Posting 

As an F-1 or J-1 student, you will be charged the fee at the beginning of every semester of enrollment. The fee amount depends on when you were last admitted and enrolled at the University of Arizona: 

  • Admitted Fall 2019 or After: $200/semester 
  • Admitted Summer 2019 or Prior: $100/semester 

Please be aware that the list of mandatory fees on the Bursar's Office website does not include the International Student Fee because it is only charged to F-1 and J-1 students. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q. What does "SEVIS Reporting" mean?

A. International student advisors must comply with federal laws and regulations by keeping international student records updated in SEVIS. Reporting requirements include: 

  • Initial registration for newly arrived students 
  • On-going registration each semester to confirm continued enrollment 
  • Changes to student/dependent name or address 
  • Academic program and status, including early program completion 
  • Disciplinary action taken by the school, resulting from criminal conviction 
  • Failure to maintain status or complete program 

For more information and reporting deadlines go to SEVIS Reporting Requirements for Designated School Officials. 

Q. What kind of document processing does ISS provide?

A. For a comprehensive list of ISS document processing services go to Forms & Requests.

Q. Can I be exempted  from the fee if I do not attend ISS advising or events?

A. Due to on-going SEVIS reporting requirements, the fee is mandatory for all enrolled active F-1 and J-1 students on a University of Arizona I-20 or DS-2019.

Q. Who should I contact if I believe I have been charged the fee in error?

A. Fee reversals are available in the following circumstances: 

  • If you are enrolling in another status (not F-1 or J-1) that took effect by the first day of the semester
  • If you are not enrolling for the semester and dropped your classes by the first day of the semester 

Contact intl-dso@arizona.edu if you believe you qualify for a fee reversal. 

All international students in the US, regardless of visa type, are required to purchase the university-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan, administered by United Healthcare. More information about the health insurance can be found at the Campus Health website.

The actual amount owed for tuition and fees will be posted to your account after you register for classes. You can use UAccess to pay for tuition, fees and related expenses. The Bursar’s Office will also mail you an account summary, but your UAccess account will provide the most updated information.

The deadline for tuition and fees depends on the date you register for classes. The earliest possible deadline is the first day of class, but may be later.

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