International Student Funding & Documentation Requirements
International students in F-1 or J-1 status must demonstrate that they have access to funds sufficient to support their studies in the U.S. Students will need to show evidence of funding when requesting an initial certificate of eligibility (Form I-20 or DS-2019) from OIS, when applying for a visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, and when making certain updates to their immigration record. The information below will help you understand how much funding you need to show and how to properly document the sources.
2023-24 estimated expenses by program Heading link
Please see below for a table of estimated expenses by degree level and program type. The total column reflects the amount of funding needed for one academic year, which for most programs is nine months long. Some programs noted with an asterisk (*) require year-round enrollment, and therefore, reflect a funding amount in the total column for 12 months of study. Estimated expenses for programs noted with a double asterisk (**) are calculated based on range II tuition and fees.
International students requesting an initial Form I-20 for F-1 status must show evidence of funding equal to one year of study in the program.
Exchange visitors requesting an initial Form DS-2019 for J-1 status must show evidence of funding equal to the full length of the exchange visitor program.
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General Programs
Program Tuition & Fees Living Expenses Books & Orientation Total All undergraduate programs unless otherwise mentioned below $33,058 $17,422 $1,799 $52,279 College of Applied Health Sciences
Program Tuition & Fees Living Expenses Books & Orientation Total Health Information Management $35,408 $17,422 $1,799 $54,629 Human Nutrition $34,326 $17,422 $1,799 $53,547 Movement Sciences/Kinesiology $34,122 $17,422 $1,799 $53,343 College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts
Students admitted to the Art History program should refer to the General Programs figures listed above. Program Tuition & Fees Living Expenses Books & Orientation Total All programs (excluding Art History) $35,698 $17,422 $1,799 $54,919 College of Business Administration
Program Tuition & Fees Living Expenses Books & Orientation Total All programs $35,642 $17,422 $1,799 $54,863 College of Engineering
Program Tuition & Fees Living Expenses Books & Orientation Total All programs $35,576 $17,422 $1,799 $54,797 College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Program Tuition & Fees Living Expenses Books & Orientation Total Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Earth & Environmental Science, Integrated Health Studies, Neuroscience and Pre-Neuroscience, Physics, Pre-Health/Pre-Science, and Psychology $34,894 $17,422 $1,799 $54,115 Computer Science & Linguistics, Pre-Computer Science & Linguistics $35,576 $17,422 $1,799 $54,797 College of Nursing
Program Tuition & Fees Living Expenses Books & Orientation Total All programs $37,536 $17,422 $1,799 $56,757 College of Public Health
Program Tuition & Fees Living Expenses Books & Orientation Total BA in Public Health $35,058 $17,422 $1,799 $54,279 -
General Programs
Program Tuition & Fees Living Expenses Books & Orientation Total All graduate programs unless otherwise mentioned below $31,148 $19,335 $1,549 $52,032 College of Applied Health Sciences
Program Tuition & Fees Living Expenses Books & Orientation Total Biomedical Visualization (all graduate programs/levels $39,224 $19,335 $1,549 $60,108 MS in Kinesiology $32,428 $19,335 $1,549 $53,312 MS in Nutrition $32,428 $19,335 $1,549 $53,312 MS in Occupational Therapy $36,114 $19,335 $1,549 $56,998 College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts
Program Tuition & Fees Living Expenses Books & Orientation Total MArch $37,232 $19,335 $1,549 $58,116 Master of Fine Arts (MFA) $36,186 $19,335 $1,549 $57,070 MS in Architecture $36,186 $19,335 $1,549 $57,070 MDes in Graphic Design $36,186 $19,335 $1,549 $57,070 MDes in Industrial Design $36,186 $19,335 $1,549 $57,070 MA in Art History $34,822 $19,335 $1,549 $55,706 MA in Design Criticism $35,550 $19,335 $1,549 $56,434 MA in Museum & Exhibition Studies $34,770 $19,335 $1,549 $55,654 College of Business Administration
Program Tuition & Fees Living Expenses Books & Orientation Total Master Business Administration (MBA), MS Accounting, MS Business Analytics, MS Finance, MS in Management Information Systems, MS Marketing, MA Real Estate, and MS Supply Chain Operations Management $40,578 $19,335 $1,549 $61,462 College of Engineering
Program Tuition & Fees Living Expenses Books & Orientation Total MS in Bioengineering, Bioinformatics, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering $35,656 $19,335 $1,549 $56,540 Master of Energy Engineering $38,940 $19,335 $1,549 $59,824 PhD in Engineering $31,148 $19,335 $1,549 $52,032 College of Education
Program Tuition & Fees Living Expenses Books & Orientation Total EdD in Urban Education Leadership $36,148 $19,335 $1,549 $57,032 College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Program Tuition & Fees Living Expenses Books & Orientation Total Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth & Environmental Science, Physics and Psychology (all graduate programs/levels) $32,984 $19,335 $1,549 $53,868 College of Medicine
Program Tuition & Fees Living Expenses Books & Orientation Total MS in Medical Biotechnology in Rockford (based on range II tuition and fees) $26,358 $14,436 $1,549 $42,343 MS in Medical Physiology $51,148 $19,335 $1,549 $72,032 MaPTD in Physiology for Therapeutic Development $41,148 $19,335 $1,549 $62,032 College of Nursing
Program Tuition & Fees Living Expenses Books & Orientation Total MS or PhD in Nursing $40,570 $19,335 $1,549 $61,454 College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs
Program Tuition & Fees Living Expenses Books & Orientation Total Public Administration (all graduate programs/levels) $35,148 $19,335 $1,549 $56,032 Urban Planning and Policy (all graduate programs/levels) $36,148 $19,335 $1,549 $57,032 Jane Addams College of Social Work
Program Tuition & Fees Living Expenses Books & Orientation Total MSW or PhD in Social Work $31,914 $19,335 $1,549 $52,798 School of Public Health
Program Tuition & Fees Living Expenses Books & Orientation Total All MPH, MS, PhD, MS-CTS degrees $35,684 $19,335 $1,549 $56,568 MHA - Healthcare Administration $41,442 $19,335 $1,549 $62,326 -
College of Applied Health Sciences
Program Tuition & Fees Living Expenses Books & Orientation Total Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)* $45,598 $25,780 $2,017 $73,395 Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)* $47,722 $25,780 $2,017 $75,519 College of Dentistry
Program Tuition & Fees Living Expenses Books & Orientation Total Advance Certificate Programs in Endodontics and Pediatric Dentistry* $39,931 $25,780 $2,017 $67,728 Advance Certificate Programs in Orthodontic and Periodontic Dentistry* $42,307 $25,780 $2,017 $74,244 Advance Certificate Programs in Prosthodontic Dentistry* $46,447 $25,780 $2,017 $74,244 College of Nursing
Program Tuition & Fees Living Expenses Books & Orientation Total Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) $41,416 $19,335 $1,549 $62,300 College of Medicine
Program Tuition & Fees Living Expenses Books & Orientation Total Doctor of Medicine (MD)* $102,504 $25,780 $2,017 $130,301 College of Pharmacy
Program Tuition & Fees Living Expenses Books & Orientation Total Pharmacy (PharmD) $31,398 $19,335 $1,549 $52,282 University of Illinois Chicago School of Law
Program Tuition & Fees Living Expenses Books & Orientation Total Juris Doctor (JD) and Master of Laws (LLM) $50,128 $19,335 $1,549 $71,012 -
Tutorium Programs
Please refer to the Tutorium website for a table of estimated expenses based on the length of the requested I-20. You will need to show evidence of funding for the amount listed in the Total column to qualify for your I-20.
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Additional funding requirements for dependents
You will need to show additional evidence of funding for each dependent that will enter the U.S. under your primary F-1 or J-1 record. Dependents can be a spouse or unmarried, minor child under the age of 21. Extended family members such as parents and siblings are not eligible for a dependent visa.
Additional funding needed for F-2 or J-2 dependent(s) for one academic year:
- $6,489 for one dependent
- $4,635 for each additional dependent
Estimated expense categories Heading link
The cost of attending UIC as an international student is estimated by combining three categories: tuition and fees, living expenses, plus books and orientation. Amounts are based on figures provided by Student Financial Aid and Scholarships. While you may end up spending more or less across these categories based on your personal situation, the categories and amounts listed are non-negotiable for immigration purposes.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition and fees estimates are based on a course load of 12 credits per semester and are subject to change without notice. You may end up enrolling for a smaller or larger course load based on your individual situation but you must still show evidence of funding equal or greater to the above amount in order to obtain your immigration documents.
Living Expenses
Estimates for living expenses cover only minimal essential expenditures for housing, food, transportation, and miscellaneous costs. Expenses for clothing, recreation, and incidentals are variable, and the cost of travel outside Chicago is not included. The amounts above reflect the bare minimum a student would need to live in Illinois. Many students spend more to meet their lifestyle.
Books & Orientation
The books and orientation estimate includes expenses for academic materials and the international arrival and orientation fee of $149 charged to your student account during your first term of enrollment at UIC.
Evidence of funding source and documentation requirements Heading link
You will document that you have adequate funding from acceptable sources by providing copies of your financial statements to OIS. When preparing your evidence of funding, please keep the following in mind:
- Documents should clearly show the financial institution’s name, account holder’s name, and account type(s).
- The account balance must be clearly listed and include the currency type.
- The document must be issued no more than six months prior to the date of submission to OIS.
- The document must include a signature or stamp from the bank.
- The document must be in English or accompanied by an official English translation.
- A combination of accounts from different account holders is acceptable, provided all accounts/documents reflect liquid assets that can quickly be converted to cash.
Evidence of funding documentation requirements Heading link
Please see below for a list of account types we can and cannot accept for I-20 or DS-2019 issuance, along with sample bank letters showing the type of information we will need to see on your evidence of funding documents. If you want to submit evidence of funding from an account type not listed below, please connect with OIS for guidance.
Acceptable sources of funding
- Certificates of Deposit, Fixed Deposits, Fixed Term Certificate of Deposits, Time Deposits, and Term Deposits
- Checking Accounts
- Foreign Exchange Accounts
- Education Loans – It must be evident that the person is pre-approved or approved for the loan.
- Bonds – The maturity date or value date must be clearly listed and be before the first day of the semester.
- Provident Funds – The amount available for withdrawal must be stated in the letter.
- Savings Accounts – All forms of savings accounts will be accepted, including demand deposit, current accounts, and money market accounts.
- Scholarship Award Letters – An official letter from the sponsoring agency must clearly state the terms of the scholarship, such as tuition, fees, and books and living expenses provided. If the scholarship includes a stipend, it must state the dollar amount per month.
- University Funding – students admitted to programs that provide University funding in the form of assistantships, fellowships, tuition waivers or other forms of scholarship may wish to delay submission until an official letter of appointment or offer has been issued by the academic department. If the funding provided by your academic department does not cover the total amount listed in the estimated expenses table above, you will need to submit evidence of personal funds to cover the difference between your award and the full amount required. If funding from your academic department is not guaranteed, and you intend to attend the University even without funding, it may be best to submit the documents as soon as possible to avoid delays with obtaining your visa. This will not affect any funding decisions from your academic program.
Unacceptable sources of funding
- Business Accounts
- Chartered Accounts – statements from accountants.
- Demat Accounts – used for the trade of stocks, securities, and debentures.
- Insurance Policies
- Retirement Funds
- Salary Statements
- Solvency Certificate – summary of all assets including bank accounts, DE deposits, bonds, property, salary, etc.
- Stock Market Funds – including mutual funds, equity funds/accounts, and yield funds.
FAQs Heading link
Here are some frequently asked questions about international student funding and documentation requirements.
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I am an admitted student and need to submit finanical documents to obtain my initial I-20 or DS-2019. Where can I do that?
Congratulations on your admission to UIC! See here for more information about obtaining your initial I-20 or DS-2019, including instructions on where to upload your OIS Documents.
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I am a current international student and need to submit financial documents to update the funding on my I-20/DS-2019 or to support another immigration request. How can I do that?
If you are a current international student with an active F-1 or J-1 record, you can update the funding on your I-20 or DS-2019 or submit funding documentation in support of another request by completing the International Student Financial Support Form. Use the information above to help you determine how much funding you will need to show and how to properly document your funding sources.
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How do I calculate estimated expenses for one semester?
If you are a current F-1 or J-1 international student requesting a program extension under one academic year in length, you may be allowed to show evidence of funding that is less than the totals listed above. For a program extension equal to one semester of study, the general approach is to divide the total amount needed for one year of study in your program in half. Please consult with an OIS advisor to confirm your specific evidence of funding requirement or any special enrollment situations.
As a reminder, international students requesting an initial I-20 for F-1 status must show evidence of funding for one year of study. Those requesting an initial DS-2019 for J-1 status must show evidence of funding for the entire duration of their exchange program.