Financial Proof

All students are required to demonstrate financial ability to pay for at least one year of academic and living expenses before being issued an immigration document (I-20 or DS-2019) by American University. Additionally, a deposit is required before any immigration document is issued (for more information, contact your admissions unit).

Step 1: Determine the Cost of the First Year of Your Program of Study

There are different costs for each AU program of study. To find the costs of the first year of your program of study please click here: Cost Guides. 

Step 2: Complete the Certification of Finances for International Students (CFIS) Form

After you have determined the cost of your program of study, please fill out the following form:

• Certification of Finances for International Students (CFIS) Form

Step 3: Gather Supporting Financial Documents

All supporting financial documents must show available liquidable funds and must be in English and dated within the past three months of when American University recieves the document in order to be considered valid. Appropriate documents reflecting financial ability include, but are not limited to, the following:  

·        Official Bank Statement on official bank letterhead (with the bank's contact information), stamped and signed by a bank official (in English and no more than 3 months old)

·        Account summary or summary of liquid assets (in English and no more than 3 months old)

·        An individual sponsor who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident, and who does not share the same last name as the student, must submit a notarized I-134 Affidavit of Support Form with financial documents (in English and no more than 3 months old). Please Note: Under item #7, please do not submit a copy of your last income tax return.

·        An individual sponsor who is not a U.S. citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident must submit a notarized letter of sponsorship (including duration, amount, and nature of sponsorship) with financial documents (in English and no more than 3 months old)

·        Scholarship letter from sponsoring organization outlining dates, amount, and terms of sponsorship (in English and no more than 3 months old)

·         American University scholarship or graduate merit award letter

Examples of supporting financial documents: 

• Sample Bank Statement 1 
• Sample Bank Statement 2
• Sample Bank Letter 
• Sample Certificate of Deposit
• Sample I-134 Completed Form
• Sample Notarized Bank Letter
• Sample Notarized Letter of Support
• Sample Scholarship Letter

Please note that these supporting financial documents will also be required at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate when you apply for your visa.

Step 4: Submit the CFIS Form and the Supporting Financial Documents

Submit the signed CFIS Form and the supporting financial documents to your admission unit or directly to ISSS by email at isssdocuments@american.edu or by fax at (202) 885-3354.

For questions, please contact ISSS at (202) 885-3350.