Financial Documentation Requirements for Form I-20 Issuance

Oakland Community College’s (OCC) International Student Services (ISS) issues Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status” to eligible F-1 and M-1 students:

  • The form I-20 allows you to apply for an F-1 or M-1 visa stamp at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad, or to USCIS for an in-country Change of Status.

  • ISS must obtain reliable documentation that you have “sufficient funds to cover expenses” per 22 CFR 41.61(b)(1)(ii) while studying at OCC. OCC is required by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to receive, review and evaluate the availability of your financial support before issuing immigration documents.

  • You must have accurate and up-to-date financial information printed on your I-20 at all times. As per 9 FAM 402.5-5(G)(1), although you are only required to show funds to meet all expenses for the first year, you are expected to have sufficient funds to cover the entire period of anticipated study.
Funding requirements for issuance of I-20

Minimum funding requirements

F1/MI International Students

    • Tuition & Fees - $5,300 (2 semesters)
    • Books - $1,200 (1 year)
    • Health Insurance - $2,200 (1 year)
    • Living Expenses - $14,000 (1 year)

Total for Student - $22,700

Additional fees required for F-2 dependents

    • Dependent spouse - $5,000
    • Dependent child - $4,000 per child

Canadian Border Commuters

Students must live full-time in Canada & within 75 miles of an OCC Campus

    • Tuition & fees - $5,300
    • Books - $1,200
    • Health Insurance - $2,200

Total for Student - $8,700

Funding from the following categories will be accepted: 

  • Personal funds
  • Private sponsors including parents, relatives, friends, etc.
  • College funding and scholarships
  • Institutional support including government, organization or company sponsorship
  • Loan certificates/letters

International students who will be privately sponsored must also provide an Affidavit of Support form. 

Approved sources of funding and criteria

1. Personal funds or sponsor funds (family or friends) | Provide either a bank letter or bank statement meeting the following requirements: 

Bank letter

      • Must be on bank letterhead
      • Must include account balance
      • Must include account holder’s name
      • Must include financial institution’s name
      • Must be dated within last 6 months
      • Must be in English or have a certified English translation
      • Type of currency must be included

Bank statement

      • Dated within last 6 months
      • Name of account holder must be listed
      • Amount of money in account is listed
      • Must be in English or include a certified English translation
      • Type of currency must be included

2. College / scholarships | Official notice from the College detailing:

      • Amount of scholarship or award
      • Your name
      • Length of the award

3. Loans | Official notice from agency detailing:

      • Your name, date and amount approved for loan
      • Loan must state it is approved – a loan application will not suffice
      • Notice must be dated within last 6 months

4. Funding agency (Government entity, nonprofit sponsorship, organizational sponsorship, etc.) |Requirements for official letter from the organization:

      • Official letterhead of company, government office or organization
      • Dated within the last 6 months
      • Must be in English or have an English translation
      • Your name as award recipient
      • State the time period covered by the award
      • State the total amount of support for the given time period
      • Indicate Oakland Community College as your institution
      • Signed by organization official 

Unacceptable proof of funding 

  • Salary statements of job offers
  • Life insurance policies
  • Retirement funds
  • Pension funds
  • Funds that are not immediately accessible
  • Funds that can change in value
  • Trusts
  • Credit card statements or lines of credit
  • Stocks or cryptocurrency
  • Assets that are not liquidated (house, car, value of business, etc.)
  • Documents that do not clearly state the account holder’s name, financial institution, currency or type of account
  • Documents dated more than 6 months ago

Additional cost information for international students

Tuition & fees
Tuition is the cost of your classes at OCC. You must be prepared to pay for courses upon enrollment.  Payment plan options are also available.

Books & supplies
Each international student is responsible for buying all books and supplies required for classes. The OCC bookstore has options for buying used or new books, as well as textbook rentals. 

Living expenses
Food, housing, utilities and transportation costs are very high in the U.S. OCC does not have student housing, so you are responsible for finding your own living arrangements.

Health Insurance
OCC does not provide health insurance to students. You must purchase your own health insurance plan during your studies at OCC.