Application for Visa Certificate
INSTRUCTIONS: Submit this Application for Visa Certificate (AVC) DIRECTLY to the Office of International Services (OIS) AFTER you have been admitted to a full-time program of study at Teachers College, and only if you need TC sponsorship for an F-1 or J-1 student visa. After receiving this AVC form and all required supporting documents (see Checklist, below) the OIS will review your application. If approved, we will issue an I-20 visa certificate for F-1 status or DS-2019 for J-1 status. Please keep in mind that F-1 / J-1 status requires you to pursue, and have sufficient financial resources for, a full-time program of study. You may submit materials to the OIS by mail, courier, or fax. __ I AM REQUESTING (check one): FORM I-20 (F-1 Visa) FORM DS-2019 (J-1 Visa) The I-20 is issued for F-1 student status.The DS-2019 certificate of eligibility for J-1 exchange visitor (student) status can be issued to students who receive substantial funding support from TC, their government or home country university, or other organizations. CHECK ALL OF THE BELOW. All of the following must be received before your AVC can be processed and I-20 / DS-2019 issued: ___ Certified financial documentation (see section III-A) ___ Copy of the identity and expiration page of your passport ___ Copy of Teachers College admission letter
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___ Financial plan (see Section III-B) ___ Address in your country of permanent legal residence ___ Optional: Express service delivery fee (see section II)
New students: The Office of Admissions must also receive your Admission Response Form and tuition deposit If you are already in the United States: please indicate your current immigration status (F-1, J-1, G-4, H-1, etc.): ____________. If you are already in F-1 or J-1 status, you must also submit copies of all previous I-20s/DS20s, I-94 card and OPT EAD (if applicable). F-1 students transferring sponsorship from another school to TC must submit a completed F-1 Transfer Form (downloadable from http://www.tc.edu/international/newstudents). ________________________ Your TC ID Number ______________________ Your TC Program Code
SECTION I: PERSONAL & DEPENDENT INFORMATION Name (as on your passport)
________________________________________________________________________________________ Last / Family Name First / Given Name Middle Name(s) Email: __________________________Tel: ________________________Fax: _________________ _________________ ________________________________ _ ______________________________ __ House / Building Number Street Apt. / Suite Number _______________________________________________________________________________ City State / Province Country Postal Code IMPORTANT: Please provide (on a separate sheet of paper) your address in your country of permanent legal residence, if different from the address above.
Title:
Ms.
Mr.
Mailing Address:
City and Country of Birth __________________________________ Country of Permanent Legal Residence _________________________ Occupation in Home Country _________________________________
Country of Citizenship_____________________________ Date of Birth (mo / day / yr ): _____________________ ___ _ _ Employer _____________________________________
DEPENDENTS. Please list below any dependents who will accompany you to the U.S. in F-2 or J-2 status. Attach a copy of the passport identification page to this AVC. Use a separate sheet if necessary.
Passport Name Relationship Citizenship Place of Birth (City and Country) Country of Legal Residence Date of Birth (mo / day / year)
SECTION II: EXPRESS SERVICE REQUEST (OPTIONAL) Your I-20 or DS-2019 will be sent to your mailing address by air mail (first-class mail for U.S. addresses), free of charge. DHL express service is available for a fee.To request express service, attach a bank check made payable to “Teachers College” for the appropriate US dollar amount (see chart below). Payment for express service is non-refundable even if you decide not to attend TC. Unfortunately, the OIS cannot accept credit cards.
East Asia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, India, Australia, NZ - $35 Caribbean, Central & Latin America - $35 Western Europe, Scandinavia - $35 Pakistan,Turkey, Eastern Europe, Russia, US & Canada Cyprus, Israel, Middle East Central Asia,Africa - $55 delivery via Federal - $40 Express - $20
SECTION III: DECLARATION OF FINANCES The estimated cost of study for a single student at TC, including educational and living expenses (but NOT including travel to and from your home country), is as follows. 2008-09 Tuition @ $1080 per credit College Fee @ $375 per term Subtotal Tuition and Fees Health Service/Insurance Housing (Dormitory) Food Books @ $100/course Personal Expenses Subtotal Living Expenses TOTAL
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ACADEMIC YEAR 9 months Sept. to May (24 credits) $25,920 750 $26,670 2350 8,900 4,050 800 2,025 $18,125 $44,795
CALENDAR YEAR 12 months Sept. to Aug. (32 credits) $34,560 1,125 $35,685 2,350 11,400 5,400 1,100 2,700 $22,950 $58,635
Use the Academic Year budget if you will take more than 1 academic year to complete your degree (the expected time to completion is 2 years for the MA, 3-4 for the EdM, and 5-7 for the PhD/EdD). Use the Calendar Year budget only if you will complete your program in 12 months. If you plan to bring your dependent spouse and/or dependent children, additional funds must be certified in the amount of $750 per month for one dependent and $600 per month for each additional dependent.
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(A) Attach financial documentation. TC is required to verify that you have adequate financial resources to meet the tuition, fees, and living expenses of your full-time program, and the living expenses of your dependents (if any) in the amounts indicated above. List below your funding sources and amounts, and provide clear copies of the indicated required documents. You may keep your original documents – you will need to present them to the U.S. consulate when applying for your visa and upon entry to the U.S. All documents should be translated into English where necessary.
Sources of Support 1. Personal savings
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Required Documents At least 3 months of U.S. bank statements, or a bank letter signed by a bank official.The letter must indicate the opening date, the average balance, and the current balance of the account(s).* Signed affidavit (see below) and bank statements or other documents verifying the amount available.* Validated letter from employer. Copy of award letter from TC and/or other sponsoring agencies, including home government / university awards Affidavit from authorized person and bank statements if necessary.
Guaranteed Support in US Dollars per year US$_______________ US$_______________ US$_______________ US$_______________ US$_______________ TOTAL US$_______________
2. Parent or sponsor 3. Salary while on leave 4. Scholarships and Assistantships (including TC awards) 5. Other sources: ______________
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* Bank statement should be current (not more than 1-3 months old)
(B) Attach a written financial plan. Your financial documents must show that you have access to liquid assets (cash or readilyavailable reserves) for at least the first year of your program, covering the total amounts shown in the table of estimated expenses indicated above. If your program will require more than one year of study and you are unable to document funding for your entire program, you must also provide, on a separate sheet of paper, a realistic plan indicating how you will meet your expenses after your first year (e.g., you will receive parental support, retain your salary while on leave, etc.). Please note that since you will hold student visa status, you cannot rely on employment to help you pay your educational and living expenses. Your financial plan should show how you will meet future expenses beyond the first year of study, explaining in detail your ability or the ability of your sponsors to support you (e.g., outline expected income from salary, business activity, rental property, etc.)
AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT: (To be completed by parent or sponsor of applicant, see #2 above). If more convenient, your sponsor may provide an affidavit on a separate sheet of paper. I hereby certify that I am willing, able, and do promise to provide the amount of US$ _______________ per year for the educational expenses of [NAME OF STUDENT] _______________________________________, who is my [RELATIONSHIP TO YOU] __________________ at Teachers College, Columbia University. Bank statements or other proof of my financial resources accompany this affidavit of support. Signature: ________________________________ Name (Printed): ___________________________ Date: _____________________
Sponsor’s Address:___________ _______________________________________________________________________________ ________
Section IV: Certification and Signature I hereby certify that all information on this application is true and accurate and that the stated funds are available for my educational expenses at Teachers College, Columbia University. Student’s Signature:________________________________________________________ Date:_______________________ Mail: Box 308
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Phone: (212) 678-3939
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OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL SERVICES Fax: (212) 678-3681 • Courier: 163 Thorndike Hall, 535 West 120th Street New York, NY 10027 Email: tcintl@tc.edu • Web: http://www.tc.edu/international