Required Financial Documentation

To issue an I-20 or DS-2019, Boston University must verify sufficient funding for tuition, fees, and living expenses as required by U.S. government regulation. New students must submit financial documentation covering the first academic year (or full program if under one year).

BU publishes annual expense estimates used to review financial documentation. Your immigration document will reflect estimated costs, not your actual billed amount.

Funding Requirements by Student Type

• Undergraduate: See Undergraduate Admissions for requirements. For program extensions or return from a leave of absence, see the Estimate of Expenses.
• Graduate: See the Estimate of Expenses for Charles River and Medical Campus programs.
• Summer Term: Contact Summer Term at sumintl@bu.edu or visit their How to Register page.
• Non Degree: Please contact your program

All financial documents must:

• Show the minimum required amount in U.S. dollars
• Be dated within one year of your intended enrollment date
• Be written in English or provide an official translation
• Reflect readily available funds (checking or savings accounts). Stocks, salary documents, property holdings, and similar assets are not accepted.

BU accepts scanned copies; however, we recommend obtaining originals for your visa interview and U.S. port of entry.

Acceptable Funding Sources & Requirements

If there is a significant change of your funding sources (25% or more), you can submit additional funding documentation to ISSO for review and request an updated I-20.

While BU is only required to verify one year of financial support, consular officers may ask about funding for subsequent years. Be prepared to explain your full funding plan and bring supplemental financial documentation to your visa interview if possible.