Who Needs a F-1 Student Visa

Any foreign passport holder wishing to pursue higher education in the United States, you must obtain an I-20 and F-1 student visa.

Once you have been admitted to SMU, the International Student and Scholar Services Office will issue you and I-20. You must present the I-20 to the U.S. Embassy in your home country to obtain your F-1 student visa.  If you are a transfer student currently attending another U.S. university on an F-1 Student Visa you must submit the SMU SEVIS Transfer-In form along with the other required documents.  For the SEVIS Transfer-In Form, please click here.

Estimated Undergraduate Costs

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires that all foreign passport holders planning to study in the United States verify that appropriate funds are available to pay for education, living, and other expenses. This verification is needed in order to process and issue the required I-20 document. The minimum estimated expenses expected to be incurred during the 2010-2011 academic year are as follows

Education, Living, and Other Expenses	Estimated Cost
Fall and Spring Tuition and Fees	$37,230
Housing (double room with roommate) and food	$14,150
Mandatory Health Insurance purchased through SMU	$1,500
Total	$52,880

Required Financial Documents

Submit one or more of these documents to equal “Estimated Undergraduate Costs.”

Source of Funds	Required Documents
Personal/Family	Bank Letter stating that at least $52,880 is available for educational expenses.  A letter stating that appropriate funds is available is not sufficient*
Sponsor	Bank Letter and Sponsorship Letter stating intention and ability to sponsor the applicant*
SMU Scholarship	Official Scholarship Letter

*All letters must be in English or translated into English. Bank statements and letters must be written on official bank letterhead and bear the bank seal or stamp. Sponsorship letters must be notarized.