Obtain Your KSU I-20 or DS-2019

All F and M students that study in the United States need a Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.”  J -1 Student/Scholar please refer to International Visiting Scholars.

You must also obtain a Form I-20 for any eligible dependents you plan to bring to the United States with you. You and your DSO must both sign the Form I-20. If you are under age 18, your parents must sign the Form I-20 for you.

To process your Kentucky State University Form I-20, you need to submit the following documents to a DSO: 

  1. Official Kentucky State University acceptance letter. (You do not have to worry about this. Graduate Studies and/or Admission Office will take care of this.)

  2. Official evidence of financial support to cover your first year expenses. The evidence of financial support could be any assistantship (you can speak to your advisor or program coordinator about the availability of scholarships) or an official statement from a sponsor or bank documenting financial support and/or deposit equivalent to:

    1. For Graduate Students, at least $19,180 U.S. Dollars (minus the amount of any scholarships offered if applicable) to cover your first year expenses (tuition $10,494, estimated lodging $4,000, meal plan $3,686, other $1,000).
    2. For Undergraduate Students, at least $20,820 U.S Dollars (minus the amount of any scholarships offered if applicable) to cover your first year expenses (tuition $12,134, estimated lodging $4,000, meal plan $3,686, other $1,000).

  3. Detailed Personal Information. If your passport is not included in the application package, this must be identical with your passport:
    1. Name: given name, surname, middle if applicable, and preferred name if you like
    2. City of birth
    3. Country of birth
    4. County of citizenship
    5. Copy of passport if available  

  4. Accurate and valid email to which you want your I-20 to be sent. Our P/DSO may email you an electronic I-20.

  5. You need to make sure all information is accurate on your I-20, print it out, and sign.

You must show proof of financial support to DSO to obtain your I-20. If you have been offered a Graduate Research Assistantship or other scholarships such as Athletics, please provide a copy of the official offer letter or contract received from the Kentucky State University showing amount of funding offered and the date of issuance.

If you have been offered a merit scholarship by the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships, please provide a copy of the offer letter along with your other financial documentation.

Proof of Funding can be:

  • Kentucky State University Scholarship/Assistantship Offer Letter
  • Personal funds: Bank statements in your name showing balance of account
  • Loan certificates/letters (must indicate your name and the amount of approved loan
  • Private sponsors, including parents (must show both of the following): 
    • Sponsor’s bank or other financial statements
    • Letter indicating the relationship between you and the sponsor(s), the amount of support and length of support. 

 

BUSINESS ACCOUNTS

If your sponsor will be providing financial support from a business account, then you must submit a recent bank statement from the business account, an official bank letter indicating the name of the individual(s) who have signatory power, and an affidavit of support for the individual(s) listed.

To process the I-20, the DSO also requires the student to submit a letter from the company/business on the company's letterhead stating that the company (not the relative) is sponsoring the student financially.  

IMPORTANT: The following types of funding are NOT accepted:
  • Documents older than 6 months
  • Income or salary statements
  • Funds that are not immediately accessible
  • Assets that are not in liquidated form (house, car, etc.)
  • Life insurance policy statements
  • Pension funds
  • Tax return forms or documents
  • Real estate holdings, stocks, bonds, investments, salary verification letters, retirement funds, property, life insurance policies and unapproved loan documents. These are not accepted because they are not readily available to you, or because the value can change.

Once you receive your I-20 via email, double check the information and make sure everything is accurate and consistent, print it out and sign. Then you are ready to make a visa interview appointment to your local U.S. Embassy/Consulate. Use the SEVIS ID number on the top left of your I-20. You need to pay visa application fee of $185. Double check on your local U.S. Embassy/Consulate website to determine the application fee. Also, you need to pay SEVIS fee of $350 before your visa interview.

Please review the Pre-Departure and Arrival Guide (available in the left side menu) for guidance. Please also check out our International Student Handbook (also available in the left side bar). Detailed information on how you make an appointment, pay the application fee and SEVIS, and suggestions on interview, entry to the U.S., and much more is provided there.

Please note: As a new international student, you are not permitted to enter the U.S. more than 30 days before the start date indicated on your I-20.