Certification of Financial Responsibility
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| » Download Graduate Student CFR Form |
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» Estimated Int'l Student Costs
» Health Insurance Requirement
» Frequently Asked Questions
Florida State University is required by U.S. federal regulations to verify the financial resources of each applicant prior to issuing the Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20 or DS-2019). You must show proof of financial support for the first year of study and confirm availability of funds for the length of your academic program.
Each admitted student must submit a completed Certification of Financial Responsibility (CFR) Form to demonstrate proof of adequate funding. You can show funding from a personal account or use a relative or family friend as a sponsor. You may use more than one sponsor, if needed. Please download the CFR for further instructions for how to complete the form.
2009 ESTIMATED INTERNATIONAL STUDENT COST OF ATTENDANCE
These figures are the estimated minimum cost of attendance for 12 months and are subject to increase without notice. Annual increases in tuition and fees are anticipated; therefore, it is suggested that an additional 10% be added to these totals to safeguard against increases.
| Undergraduate | Graduate | |
| Tuition and Fees | $18,452 (30 credits) | $16,455 (18 credits) |
| Living Expenses-12 months |
$10,667 ($8,178 fall & spring; $2489 summer) |
$11,040 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Insurance | $1,356 | $1,356 |
| TOTAL | $31,475 | $29,851* |
*Graduate Students: Refer to the CFR for a list of academic programs with additional costs.
Dependents: If you are bringing a spouse and/or children, you must show an additional $5,000 for your spouse and $3,000 for each child who will be in the U.S. as your dependents. This does not include dependents with U.S. citizenship. Individuals other than your spouse or child cannot be considered dependents for immigration purposes.
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HEALTH INSURANCE REQUIREMENT
| The State of Florida requires all international students to have adequate health and accident insurance. All new FSU students (domestic and international) must have health and accident insurance which meets university requirements for adequate insurance. The Federal government also requires that all students in J-1 visa status and their dependents have health and accident insurance which meets or exceeds certain minimum requirements listed on page 2 of the DS-2019 form. For information about university insurance requirements and costs, please see the FSU Thagard Student Health Center’s Insurance website at: http://www.tshc.fsu.edu/insurance.htm. |
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) about the CFR
- Who can sponsor me?
- Why do you only accept "liquid assets"?
- Can I wait until I am admitted to send in the CFR and supporting financial documents?
- I’m a graduate student applying for funding from my academic department. Do I need to fill out the CFR if I plan to apply for department funding?
- Can I fax or email the CFR and financial documents?
- How long will it take to receive my I-20 (F-1 students)?
- How accurate is the Cost of Attendance estimate?
Who can sponsor me?
A sponsor can be anyone who is willing to provide financial support to pay for your studies and living expenses. Most applicants have their parents, family, friends, government agencies, or private scholarships sponsor them. Funding can come from different sources; it doesn't have to come from just one person. Current F-1 students cannot sponsor other F-1 students.
Why do you only accept "liquid assets"?
We can only accept liquid assets because there are no restrictions on withdrawal from these types of accounts. Liquid assets include money from checking and/or savings accounts. Types of funds that are NOT acceptable include: real estate holdings, stocks, bonds, salary verification letters, retirement funds, art holdings, and life insurance policies. Please refer to the CFR for more information about acceptable and unacceptable financial documentation.
Can I wait until I am admitted to send in the CFR and supporting financial documents?
It is recommended that you send the CFR as soon as possible, preferably at the same time submitting your application to the university. The longer you wait, the longer it will take for the International Center to review your documents and issue the immigration document needed for your U.S. visa application. This could cause problems or delays with regards to visa appointments and your arrival.
I’m a graduate student applying for funding from my academic department. Do I need to fill out the CFR if I plan to apply for department funding?
Yes. The information on CFR is needed in order to issue the I-20/DS-2019, even if you leave the financial information blank in anticipation of full funding from the academic department. You will indicate on the CFR that you are applying for department funding. If department funding is not awarded or is partially awarded, then you must show personal and/or sponsor funding.
Can I fax or email the CFR and financial documents?
Yes, you can fax or email a scanned copy of the documents in advance of sending an original copy. Please send the originals by mail after faxing or emailing the copy. Fax number: 850-645-2112, email: IC-NewStudents@fsu.edu. Please note that you will need to bring original copies of your financial documents with you for your visa appointment at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate.
How long will it take to receive my I-20 (F-1 students)?
Once admitted to the university, and the International Center has received the completed CFR, it will take approximately 5-7 business days to issue the I-20.
GRADUATE students: Your I-20 will be sent via Federal Express courtesy of FSU along with your admission letter and other pre-arrival materials. The documents will be sent to the mailing address you indicated in the International Applicants section of the online university application.
UNDERGRADUATE students: Please indicate your preferred mailing option on the CFR form. Once the I-20 is ready, the document will be sent to you according to the preference indicated on the CFR. Regular international airmail can take 2-6 weeks for delivery. It is recommended that you set up an account with an express courier such as FedEx. For information about expedited delivery options and how to set up an account, see: Expedited Delivery.
How accurate is the Cost of Attendance estimate?
The financial requirements of the CFR are the minimum amount that FSU estimates you will need in order to live in Tallahassee, pay your tuition, fees, books and insurance. Depending on your lifestyle, you may require more funds than estimated. Tuition and fees are also subject to increase each year, further increasing your monetary needs. You should never anticipate needing less than the amount listed on your I-20 or DS-2019 form, even if you live much more frugally at home. Additionally, you are limited by the type of employment you can obtain in the U.S. as a condition of your student visa status. For more information on employment options, see the "Current Students" section of our web site for your visa category (F-1 or J-1).