Estimating Expenses

Living Expenses

Living expenses are based on 12 months, even if you do not plan to enroll summer term. The amount you calculate should be the "Living Expenses" figure beneath Undergrad Student Expenses from the table on page 10. Only if you are planning to have member(s) of your family accompany you to YSU should you add the appropriate living expense figure(s) under Dependent Expenses.

Certification of Sufficient Funds

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service requires YSU to verify that you have enough money to cover your first year's education and living expenses and that financial support will continue for the duration of your education here. You must submit the financial documents to certify that you have sufficient funds to study at YSU. The documents that are required vary depending upon who will be supporting you. Use this section to determine which financial documents you must send.

Affidavit of Financial Support

You must submit at least one copy of the Affidavit of Financial Support for International Undergraduate Students form. It must be signed by the person or organization (government agency, school, or business) that has agreed to provide funds. The Affidavit certifies that the sponsor promises to provide funds for your education. The form itself carries instructions for its proper completion. All Affidavit forms must be dated no more than one year prior to the term for which you are applying.

Bank Statement

If you are receiving financial support from your friends and/or family, your sponsor(s) must provide original bank statement(s) to show that there is at least enough money to account to cover your "Total Expenses" for the first year of study. If you are self-sponsored, the amount shown on the bank statement(s) must equal or exceed the "Total Expenses" for the entire period of study at YSU, usually four years.

Each bank statement must be written in English. It should indicate either the total amount on account and the equivalent in U.S. dollars or include a statement such as, "There is at least the equivalent of $16,939 in U.S. dollars on account." All bank statements must be dated no more than one year prior to the term for which you are applying.

Sponsor's proof of income should be on the employer's letterhead or on income tax returns or receipts, or estimated by a bank or private accountant when the sponsor is self-employed business person. The income of a company is not the income of the owner of the business and will not be accepted as proof of income; provide an official statement of the salary paid to the owner/sponsor.

Appropriate Certification

• If you will be supported by family or friends, you must submit an Affidavit of Financial Support and bank statement, a letter of employment or income tax copy if appropriate for each individual providing you with financial support. Together, supporters' pledges must show that sufficient funds will be available for the full length of your educational program. Bank statements must total at least the minimum amount needed to meet "Total Expenses" for the first year of study.
  
  
• If you will be fully self-supported throughout your program, you must submit the Affidavit of Financial Support form and a bank statement indicating the amount of money on deposit. The amount on deposit must be sufficient to fund your "Total Expenses" for the entire program of study.
  
  
• If you will be supported by a government agency, private business, school or other organization, we encourage your financial sponsor to complete and submit the enclosed Affidavit of Financial Support form to verify that you will receive support. If this is not possible, then the sponsor must submit a detailed letter which specifies the terms of financial support. It must include the information requested on the Affidavit form. If the amount of financial support does not meet your estimated "Total Expenses," you will be asked to provide proof of additional funds to cover the balance.
  
  
• If you will be partially self-supported and partially supported through other sources, you will need to submit an Affidavit of Financial Support form from each sponsor, including yourself. Each individual must complete and sign the relevant affidavit section on the back of the form. In addition, you must also submit bank statements and other relevant documents from each of your sponsors, including yourself. The bank statements must show that there is enough money on account to fund at least your first year of study. In addition, your bank statement must also reflect that you will be able to provide your portion of the funding throughout your studies at YSU.

Insurance
Enrollment in YSU's health insurance plan is mandatory for all international students, and recommended for their dependents lving in the U.S.