In addition to the items listed below, international students must meet the general admissions requirements for all graduate and doctoral programs.
Graduate Admissions International Students
F-1 Student Visa
Most international students coming to the United States will be required to obtain an F-1 Student Visa. The visa is issued by the US Embassy or Consulate in your country of citizenship. You will need the Form I-20A provided by Barry University in order to apply for the student visa.
Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20A)
The I-20A form allows you to apply for your student visa. In order to obtain the I-20A, you must be admitted to the university. Furthermore, the United States Federal Government requires that international students prove that they have sufficient funds to live and study in the United States. This is not a requirement for admission to Barry University, but is a requirement in order to receive the I-20A, enter the country, and enroll in the University.
If you are admitted to Barry University and need the F-1 Student Visa, you will be required to submit the following documents before the I-20A can be issued. Documents must be dated no earlier than six months before your first day of class. (For example, if your classes begin on August 27, 2012, your documents must be dated February 27, 2012, or later.) You may submit these documents before an admission decision has been made; this may expedite the visa process, but your I-20A cannot be issued until you are admitted.
Requirement 1: Financial Statement
You may submit either a bank letter or a government / institution letter for your financial statement.
Bank Letter
You may submit a bank letter addressed to Barry University stating that you or your sponsor have the funds available to pay the total cost associated with attending Barry University for one year (see sample below). The required amount will be included in your admission letter if you are accepted, or you may contact the Office of Graduate Admissions before you are admitted. This amount will be reduced for applicants who are awarded scholarships.
As an international student, you should be familiar with the regulations of your government regarding sending money to the United States and you should make arrangements to have the necessary funds available at the designated times of enrollment. Documentary evidence of a means of financial support must be attached to the Certificate of Eligibility (I-20A) when applying for the student visa at the United States Embassy or Consular Office.
Certification of Eligibility (Form I-20A)
Once you have been accepted for admission to Barry University, a financial statement must be submitted in order to obtain the U.S. Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status (Form I-20A). There are two types of financial statements:
- A bank letter addressed to Barry University stating that you or your sponsor have the funds available to pay the total cost associated with attending Barry University for one year (see sample below). The University determines the required amount.
-
Government or institution-sponsored international students must submit a government sponsorship letter or a notarized letter of support guaranteeing payment of tuition and fees, books, room and board, medical insurance, and personal expenses for one academic year (two semesters).
As an international student, you should be familiar with the regulations of your government regarding sending money to the United States and you should make arrangements to have the necessary funds available at the designated times of enrollment. Documentary evidence of a means of financial support must be attached to the Certificate of Eligibility (I-20A) when applying for the student visa at the United States Embassy or Consular Office.
The letter must express:
- The name of the person/account holder that is supporting the expense for attending Barry University.
- The name of the student.
Funds must be liquid (for example, checking or savings), not time deposits or stocks.
The letter must be on bank letterhead; faxes and photocopies will not be accepted.
Government / Institution Letter
Government or institution-sponsored international students must submit a government sponsorship letter or a notarized letter of support guaranteeing payment of tuition and fees, books, room and board, medical insurance, and personal expenses for one academic year (two semesters).
Requirement 2: Financial Verification Form
- Financial Verification Form - Graduate - Must be submitted by international Graduate applicants requiring the I-20.
- Financial Verification Form - Doctoral - Must be submitted by international Doctoral applicants requiring the I-20.