Upon Acceptance to LSSU

The following financial information is required.

Immigration laws severely limit work for international students. Therefore, you must be prepared to pay the full costs of attendance and advise your sponsor well in advance of fee payment dates so your funds will arrive on time. We would like to emphasize that the educational and living costs at LSSU are less than most U.S. universities. Scholarships are also available for those who qualify and LSSU honors the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).

Immigration Form (I-20) Requirements

In order to obtain an Immigration Form (I-20), the U.S.Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) requires that we have your verification of ability to pay the following amounts depending on your classification:

• Commuters from Ontario -- $9,700 USD for 2008-2009 academic year
• Ontario residents intending to live in the US while in school -- $17,300 for 2008-2009 academic year

Financial Verification (Required for I-20)

Verification of the ability to pay university expense can be supplied as followed:

• A written financial statement from your bank account, or from the account of whoever will be responsible for your tuition/books expenses. This can be in the form of:
  • A letter from an officer at a financial institution listing the amount of tuition/books and expenses required for the upcoming year and verifying the account holder’s ability to pay this amount, and/or
  • A bank statement showing a savings equal to this year’s tuition/books and expenses, and/or
  • Verification of loan approvals, (such as OSAP) or scholarships received.
• If the funds are coming from someone other than yourself, your “sponsor” will also need to supply a signed letter stating that the monies available in the bank account/loan, etc. will be used to pay for your tuition/books and expenses, plus room/board if applicable.
• You should also indicate how the remaining years will be supported.

Exceptions to the I-20 Requirements

• If you are a Permanent U.S. Resident or able to be in the U.S. with another form of documentation. We require a copy of this documentation for our records.
• If you are a Canadian Aboriginal or Native American (excluding METIS) with at least 50% blood quantum and have J-treaty privileges (carry a tribal ID), you are exempt from needing an I-20 form. You must provide our office with a copy of your tribal ID and letter showing proof of blood quantum.

Official Forms

Official forms allowing you to demonstrate financial ability to pay tuition, books, fees, and living expenses are available for download or may be requested by contacting the Admissions Office.

Declaration of Finances (pdf)

SEVIS Bank Statement (pdf)

Upon Issuance of the I-20

Each student that receives a form I-20 will receive a unique SEVIS ID number assigned to him/her. The ID number and the I-20 form itself are used to obtain F-1 Status at a U.S. Port of Entry.

As of September 1, 2004, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has implemented a rule requiring F-1 Status applicants to pay a one-time fee to supplement the administration and maintenance costs of the SEVIS program. Because LSSU will be issuing you an initial I-20 form, you will be required to pay this SEVIS fee. Information about payment of the fee and the processing of your I-20 form upon entry to the U.S. will be provided to you with your initial I-20 form.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Admissions Office at 1-906-635-2231