Intake I-20/DS-2019 application Help Guide

This help guide provides a list of the information and materials that admitted applicants need to provide to International Student Services when requesting an Initial or Transfer I-20 or DS-2019 from LSU.

U.S. Immigration regulations require International Student Services (ISS) to receive, review and verify financial support documentation to determine students' eligibility for an LSU I-20 for F-1 status or the DS-2019 for J-1 status.

Students must be able to show that they have proof of funding for the total estimated cost of attendance for at least the first year of study at LSU. This estimate includes tuition, books, health insurance, and living expenses. Students can use the Estimated Expenses Worksheet and Guide (see Attachments) to aid in determining their expenses and funding proof.

Please be aware that LSU Online degree programs do not allow for F-1 or J-1 sponsorship. This means that ISS cannot issue Forms I-20/DS-2019 for students admitted to an LSU Online program.

 

Who must submit an Intake I-20 or DS-2019 application?

Students who are officially and unconditionally admitted to an on-campus program of study who meet any of the criteria below will need to complete and submit an Intake I-20 or Intake DS-2019 application after confirming they will attend LSU:

• Those outside of the United States who need to apply for an F-1 or J-1 student visa to begin their program of study.
  • Note: Canadian citizens are visa exempt but must receive an I-20 or DS-2019 for entry to the U.S. as an F-1 or J-1 student.
• Those who are (or were recently) inside the U.S. in F-1 status and plan to transfer their SEVIS record to LSU to begin a program of study.
• Those who have completed their degree at LSU and, after commencement, intend to start their studies in a new degree program in the next semester. (For example: students who earned a bachelor's degree at LSU in May and will start LSU Graduate School in August.) 
• Those who are currently on a period of F-1 OPT (or OPT STEM) and plan to transition from full-time OPT/STEM OPT to full-time study at LSU.
• Those who are currently in a different non-immigrant status and plan to acquire F-1 or J-1 student status to begin a full-time program of study.

 

How do I know if I should complete the Intake I-20 or Intake DS-2019 application?

Most degree-seeking students will request an I-20 (for F-1 student visa/status).

U.S. Immigration regulations have specific eligibility requirements for the J-1 visa. In general, these requirements are related to how the student's studies are financed. For example: 

1. The student or their program is financed directly or indirectly by the U.S. or student's home country government; 
2. The program is carried out pursuant to written agreement between American and foreign academic institutions.

Students participating in a one-semester or academic year exchange will request a DS-2019 (for J-1 student/exchange visitor visa) based on #2 above.

 

When can I complete an Intake I-20 or Intake DS-2019 application?

Admitted students will receive instructions via email from ISS on how to access the Intake I-20 or Intake DS-2019 application after they have

1. been officially and unconditionally admitted to an on-campus program for the current Intake cycle
2. confirmed their attendance or paid the enrollment deposit, if applicable.

 

What do I need to have to request an I-20 or DS-2019?

You will need your myLSU credentials -- username and password -- to access the iTiger Portal and complete the form. You will also need copies of the following documents available as a jpeg, png, or pdf to upload to your request.

1. Passport biographical page for you and any dependents (spouse and dependent children under age 21) who will accompany you. 
   • If adding a spouse, be prepared to provide marriage certificate translated to English if not already in English.
   • If adding a spouse and/or child: Be prepared to provide a copy of their passport biographical page (or birth certificate translated to English if not already in English.
2. Proof of your English proficiency.
3. Your LSU admission letter.
4. Proof of funding. (Please see the links in the source of funds section below for additional financial support information.)
5. A Sponsor Affidavit of Financial Support must be provided and signed by account holder if the account is not in your name. (See sample attached to this article.)

 

What is the estimated cost of attendance?

The estimated expenses depend on your degree level and/or program of study:

• Undergraduate
• Graduate/Professional, Law School, School of Veterinary Medicine

Additional items of note:

• F-1 Students will need to show funding for the first year of the program.
• J-1 Students admitted to a degree program must show funding for the entire duration of their program to receive a DS-2019 for the entire program duration. For example, if the program you have been admitted to is two years long, you will need to show two years' worth of funding in order to receive a document that is valid for a two-year period.
• J-1 Exchange Students participating in a one or two semester exchange program at LSU will need to provide a financial support document that covers the amount of all expenses minus the tuition cost of your program. 

 

What can I provide as my source of funds?

The Intake I-20/DS-2019 application will require you to upload copies of your acceptable source(s) of funding. All funding must be easily accessible as “liquid assets,” (e.g., funds that can be converted into cash in a short time, with little or no loss in value). In general, your source(s) of funds must

• be in English (or officially translated into English). 
• be less than 6 months old from the date of issue. 
• include the type of currency if not in U.S. Dollars. 

Note: When selecting source(s) of funding documents to provide to ISS, be advised that you will need to provide the same evidence of your funding at your visa appointment, and you may be asked to show the officer(s) at the U.S. Port of Entry.