Required Financial Documentation

Boston University is required by U.S. government regulations to check the availability of adequate funding for tuition, fees, and living expenses for the duration of the prospective student’s studies at Boston University in order to issue the immigration documents necessary to obtain a student visa. All financial documents submitted for evaluation will become the property of Boston University and will not be returned to the prospective student.

Undergraduate students:
New incoming undergraduate students: Refer to Undergraduate Admissions for documentation for financial support.
For program extension and return from a leave of absence: Refer to the Estimate of Expenses for minimum funding requirements for undergraduate students.

Graduate students:
Refer to the Estimate of Expenses for the minimum funding requirements for programs at the Charles River Campus and Medical Campus.

Summer Term students: 
Contact Summer Term at sumintl@bu.edu or check the How to Register section of their website.

All declarations of financial support must:

1. Reflect the minimum amount of support in U.S. dollars
2. Specify funding for study at Boston University (not another college or university)
3. Include a date and be no more than one year old from the intended date of enrollment
4. Indicate the period of time for which the support will be provided
5. Be written in English
6. Reflect funds that are readily available for tuition payments (i.e., checking or savings accounts). Certain investment accounts such as stocks, salary documents, property holdings, etc. do not reflect available funds and will not be accepted

It is recommended that the prospective student request three sets of financial documents to submit to Boston University, the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to which the prospective student will apply for the visa, and to retain for his/her record (and to present at the U.S. Port of Entry if requested).

Additional Information:

• If the prospective student will be funded by a family member, they must submit:
  1. A letter of sponsorship which indicates that the sponsor is willing and able to support the prospective student financially for academic fees and living expenses throughout the duration of study at Boston University and also indicates the relationship of the sponsor to the applicant. We would suggest that they utilize the Sponsorship Certification Form.
  2. An official bank letter, bank statement or credit reference from a bank stating the availability of the funding to support minimum estimated expenses as indicated on the Estimate of Expenses.
• If the prospective student will be funded by their government, an organization, a company, etc., the sponsor must submit a letter of sponsorship on official letterhead which states:
  1. The funding is valid specifically for Boston University.
  2. Exactly which expenses will be covered (i.e., academic fees, living expenses, health insurance, financial support for family members, travel, etc.).
  3. The length of the financial support.
• If the prospective student will be funded by a bank loan, they must submit an official letter of certification from the lending institution indicating the specific amount for which they has been guaranteed.
• If the prospective student will be funded in a manner not listed above (for example, if they will fund themselves), they must submit official documentation (a bank letter, bank statement or a credit reference from a bank) indicating the specific amount to support minimum estimate of expenses.