I-20 Application Process 

The I-20 Form is the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. Once you have been accepted at Northeastern Illinois University, the Designated School Official (DSO) from the Office of International Programs (OIP) will reach out to you to submit the required documentation to obtain the I-20.  

To obtain an I-20 form, international students must demonstrate their financial ability to pay for school and living expenses for one academic year (12 months). You must demonstrate this to the OIP to get the I-20 and also provide the same information to the U.S. Consulate/Embassy or to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The following documents are required to be able to review and process the information for the I-20: 

The Financial Statement Form cannot be dated more than six months prior to the date of receipt to the OIP. You can provide the originals but we can also accept scanned original copies in PDF. 

  • An official bank letter(s) from each sponsor. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION: Any combination of funds is acceptable, as long as you can demonstrate the coverage for 12 months. 
  • The supporting document(s) cannot be dated more than six months prior to the date of receipt to the OIP. You can provide the originals but we can also accept scanned original copies in PDF. Please make copies of all application documents, including your financial documents for yourself. 

Bank letter/statement/ loan guidelines 

Sponsor can be: self, family, friend. 

  • Personal funds 

  • Personal loan 

  • Must be dated within six months of application submission 

  • Name of account holder must be present 

  • Official letter must be in English or be certified by an English translator 

  • Type of accounts ONLY: savings, checking, matured certificate of deposit, money market accounts 

  • Must show currency and its USD equivalency 

  • Must be issued by bank with official bank seal 

  • Official bank letter with bank seal; if no seal letter must be notarized 

  • Recent bank statements must be dated within the last six months 

Sponsors from family/friends in the U.S. who are sponsoring you for tuition and/or living expenses: 

  • Affidavit of Support –I-134 is required, go to U.S citizenship and Immigration Services. 

  • Have your sponsor write a letter (typed) who is a U.S citizen or resident indicating what they will be sponsoring you for tuition and or living expenses, who the sponsor is in relationship to you, and the period of time they will support you, sponsor must sign the letter. 

  • Must be dated within the last six months. 

  • This letter MUST be Notarized. 

Governmental agency/scholarship sponsor: 

 

SACM STUDENTS MUST ALSO PROVIDE A FINANICiAL STATEMENT FORM WITH YOUR SACM AWARD LETTER. 

  • Original letter from governmental agency or scholarship sponsor 

  • Must be dated within the last six months 

  • Must indicate award recipient 

  • Must indicate period of time covered by the award 

  • Must indicate institution: Northeastern Illinois University 

  • Must indicate total amount of support given to during the time period 

  • Must indicate if the amount will be awarded to student or to the institution 

LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES, RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS, EMPLOYER LETTERS, REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS, BUSINESS ACCOUNTS AND TAX RETURNS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.  PLEASE MAKE SURE TO SCAN THE ORIGINAL COPY AND EMAIL IT AS PDF. 

Once completed, you will receive an email from OIP that your I-20 and admission letters are ready to be shipped. You can select an expedited carrier to deliver your documents overnight. 

You will be emailed the information regarding your I-20 that is necessary to schedule an appointment with the U.S. Consular Office. 

When you arrive in the United States, attend the International Student Orientation mentioned in your Welcome Packet before classes start and/or report to the Office of International Programs as soon as possible.