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INDIANA UNIVERSITY
Bloomington
International applicants

Required financial documents

To receive your U.S. immigration documents, you must provide evidence of financial support for your first year at IU Bloomington. These documents do not affect your admission decision but are required by the Office of International Services (OIS) to finalize your status. Review the requirements below to verify your documents meet federal and university standards.

Once you are accepted at Indiana University, you will be required to submit documents to proving you have the financial means to support yourself for a full calendar year, including tuition, fees, and living expenses.

Your financial documents are not related to your admission decision. However, OIS cannot issue you an immigration document until you have provided sufficient evidence of financial support.

We encourage you to submit your financial documents as soon as possible. We will be able to finalize your application and process your necessary immigration documents sooner.

Although proof of funding is required for only the first year, you are expected to fund your studies for the duration of your program. When adding up your expenses, remember that you should not look to employment as a means of support. Not only do you need authorization before you can start a job, but you are also limited in the number of hours you can work.

You will need to submit:

OIS cannot issue you a visa document until you have provided sufficient evidence of financial support.

How can I estimate my expenses?

We have generated an estimate of typical expenses that you can use for planning. If you are applying for a campus other than IU Bloomington, review that campus' website for estimated expenses.

See an estimate of expenses

Your source(s) of funding

When gathering your financial documentation, please keep the following items in mind:

  • You should include bank statements if at all possible.
  • You must submit only legible financial documentation.
  • You may be asked to submit original documents at Indiana University’s discretion.
  • You must provide the specific amount and currency of available funds, though funds on bank statements, etc., do not need to be shown in U.S. dollars.
  • You must submit documentation from the 12 months preceding the time you intend to enroll.

If the available sponsored funds do not completely cover your incurred costs, you will be responsible for all additional expenses associated with your stay in the United States.

Acceptable evidence of financial support

All documentation must indicate currency and amount in liquid asset form.

  • Personal bank statements
    • Cash deposits, certificates of deposit, savings accounts
  • Investment statements
    • Include clear evidence of the funds’ liquidity and the cash surrender value
  • Business bank statements
    • Must be accompanied by a letter on company or bank letterhead stating the financial guarantor has signatory authority on the referenced account
  • Scholarship letters
  • Lines of credit
  • Government funding

Unacceptable financial documents

  • Chartered accountant statements
  • Payroll reports/expected income
  • Tax statements
  • Property assessments
  • Statements regarding property, jewelry, cars, and other non-liquid assets
  • Bank statements lacking currency amounts
  • Insurance policies
  • Other statements of non-liquid assets
  • Business named bank account without signatory verification

All documentation should be dated less than 12 months before the time you intend to enroll.

Personal or family funding

If full or partial funding is coming from personal sources (for example, family or friends), each person who will provide your financial support must:

  1. Sign the .
  2. Attach an official bank statement(s). The name on the declaration must match the account holder on the bank statement(s).

Bank statements must be in English. Each bank statement submitted must include the following details:

  • The name of your financial supporter. The translated name must be on the original document (not handwritten in).
  • The date. Documents must be dated no more than one year (12 months) prior to the date classes begin for the desired term of enrollment.
  • The amount of available funds and the type of currency.
  • The name of the bank. The name of the bank must be officially indicated on the bank statement.

Educational loans

Educational loans are acceptable for submission as proof of financial support and will be used to finalize admission. Sanctioned loan letters must clearly indicate the loan as "approved" or "sanctioned" before we will create your immigration document. The letter must be in English and on official bank or institution letterhead.

We are also unable to accept in-principle sanction letters to create an immigration document. In-principle does not officially affirm that the loan has been finalized. The letter must be in English and on official bank or institution letterhead.

Learn more about paying for college

Learn about tuition and fees   Explore financial aid options