I-20 Information

This page contains very important information on obtaining your Form I-20 and getting to the United States, or on transferring to our school from another school in the United States while maintaining your F-1 status. Please read this information carefully. Some rules governing U.S. visas and immigration status are quite detailed.

What is a form I-20 and why do you need one?

The Form I-20 is a U.S. government form, but it can be issued only by specially appointed school officials. It is not issued by the government; it is issued to the government by the school. It states that the student whose name is on the form has been accepted for a full-course of study after applying to school and submitting all required academic documentation. It also states that the school has seen documents proving that you have enough money to live and study in the U.S. without working (unless you have proper authorization) or suffering from poverty. Without an I-20, it is not possible to obtain a student visa or to keep lawful F-1 status when transferring from one school to another in the U.S.

Students who are outside the U.S. should not worry about your visas at this time. Since you cannot get a visa without the I-20, your priority must be to provide us with the financial documentation we require before we will issue the form.

We are very strict about proof of financial ability. Too little money causes pain and distress for students. We insist that students and their families look closely at the cost of living and studying in the U.S. and make careful plans to be sure the student's needs are met. We also want to be sure that the requirements of the most demanding U.S. consuls are met so our students' visas will not be denied for financial reasons.

Does everyone need a form I-20?

No, some foreign students do not need I-20's. If you are a dependent spouse or child in A, E, F-2, G, H-4, I, J-2, L-2, M-2, N, O-3, P-4, R-2, or TD status, neither the law nor the school requires you to have an I-20 or be in F-1 status to attend school full-time or part-time, as long as the principal continues in status. However, you cannot be a dependent child in E, F, H, I, J, L, M, N, O, P, R, or S status after your 21st birthday or if you marry. Principals in A, E, G, H, I, L, O, P, Q, R, or S status may attend school without changing status as long as their "principal activity" is not school. Persons in TPS status also may go to school.

Getting your I-20 form

Below are the nine rules for issuance of a Form I-20 by Shasta Bible College & Graduate School. Read and follow them very carefully.

If we say "no" to the papers you send, do not despair. Many students must submit papers two, three or more times before giving us acceptable papers. If you follow the rules carefully, we will be able to say "yes" on your first try and you could be here soon.

Follow these rules to get your form I-20

1. Every dollar of needed support must be proven through student bank statements, proof of the sponsor's income, or a lease or deed. Each dollar not provided by the student must be promised in an affidavit by a sponsor. We do not care how many sponsors there are, whether or not they are U.S. citizens, or where they live. It is usually easier to get an F-1 visa when at least part of a student's support comes from outside the U.S. To the best of our ability, we try to see the documents as if we were particularly tough U.S. consuls. We have not helped a student by saying yes to the financial papers if a consul later says no to the same papers. We have not supported the educational mission of our institution if we help a student come to the U.S. and he or she fails because of insufficient money for tuition, books, or medical care, or to earn poor grades due to money worries or insufficient food.
2. Your sponsor's income is more important than your sponsor's bank statement. Do not expect bank statements to convince us of a sponsor's ability to give the amount of money promised. Bank statements are very poor evidence of the ability to give a student money, unless the balance is a very large one. Proof of a sponsor's income should be on the employer's letterhead, on income tax returns or receipts, or estimated by a bank or private accountant when the sponsor is a self-employed businessperson. The income of a company is not the income of the owner of the business and will not be accepted as proof of income. You must provide an official statement of the salary paid to the owner/sponsor. Do not expect bank statements to convince us of a sponsor's ability to give the amount of money promised. Bank statements are very poor evidence of the ability to give a student money, unless the balance is a very large one. Proof of a sponsor's income should be on the employer's letterhead, on income tax returns or receipts, or estimated by a bank or private accountant when the sponsor is a self-employed businessperson. The income of a company is not the income of the owner of the business and will not be accepted as proof of income. You must provide an official statement of the salary paid to the owner/sponsor. Do not expect bank statements to convince us of a sponsor's ability to give the amount of money promised. Bank statements are very poor evidence of the ability to give a student money, unless the balance is a very large one. Proof of a sponsor's income should be on the employer's letterhead, on income tax returns or receipts, or estimated by a bank or private accountant when the sponsor is a self-employed businessperson. The income of a company is not the income of the owner of the business and will not be accepted as proof of income. You must provide an official statement of the salary paid to the owner/sponsor.
3. We will not accept letters from banks or anyone else saying that a sponsor has "enough" money to support a student. Only this office can decide how much is enough. When a sponsor wishes to keep his/her bank balance or income private, we will accept official documents saying that the savings or income is "more than" an amount that is clearly sufficient. Only this office can decide how much is enough. When a sponsor wishes to keep his/her bank balance or income private, we will accept official documents saying that the savings or income is "more than" an amount that is clearly sufficient. Only this office can decide how much is enough. When a sponsor wishes to keep his/her bank balance or income private, we will accept official documents saying that the savings or income is "more than" an amount that is clearly sufficient.
4. Along with proof of income, each sponsor must submit an affidavit stating exactly what is to be provided. All questions on affidavit forms must be answered. Affidavits must be signed by the sponsor in the presence of a notary public, the notary public must sign, and the official seal of the notary public must be on the affidavit. Affidavits that have been changed in any way will be rejected unless each change has been signed by both the sponsor and the notary. There are notaries public at all U.S. embassies and consulates. In the U.S., most neighborhood pharmacists are notaries, as are most lawyers and accountants. They are officials licensed by the national or regional government to take sworn statements for courts of law or to witness contracts and property deeds. stating exactly what is to be provided. All questions on affidavit forms must be answered. Affidavits must be signed by the sponsor in the presence of a notary public, the notary public must sign, and the official seal of the notary public must be on the affidavit. Affidavits that have been changed in any way will be rejected unless each change has been signed by both the sponsor and the notary. There are notaries public at all U.S. embassies and consulates. In the U.S., most neighborhood pharmacists are notaries, as are most lawyers and accountants. They are officials licensed by the national or regional government to take sworn statements for courts of law or to witness contracts and property deeds. stating exactly what is to be provided. All questions on affidavit forms must be answered. Affidavits must be signed by the sponsor in the presence of a notary public, the notary public must sign, and the official seal of the notary public must be on the affidavit. Affidavits that have been changed in any way will be rejected unless each change has been signed by both the sponsor and the notary. There are notaries public at all U.S. embassies and consulates. In the U.S., most neighborhood pharmacists are notaries, as are most lawyers and accountants. They are officials licensed by the national or regional government to take sworn statements for courts of law or to witness contracts and property deeds.
5. Sponsors should not promise too much money. Some sponsors believe that the more money they promise, the more likely we are to say yes. A common cause for rejection of documents is that we do not believe the sponsor can afford to give as much as promised. You should promise only what you intend to give and should give only as much as you can afford. Some sponsors believe that the more money they promise, the more likely we are to say yes. A common cause for rejection of documents is that we do not believe the sponsor can afford to give as much as promised. You should promise only what you intend to give and should give only as much as you can afford. Some sponsors believe that the more money they promise, the more likely we are to say yes. A common cause for rejection of documents is that we do not believe the sponsor can afford to give as much as promised. You should promise only what you intend to give and should give only as much as you can afford.
6. Do not submit old documents. Both the U.S. government and Shasta Bible College require recent documents (less than six months old). Both the U.S. government and Shasta Bible College require recent documents (less than six months old). Both the U.S. government and Shasta Bible College require recent documents (less than six months old).
7. Do not send faxes or copies. Except tax documents, leases, and deeds, all papers must be originals. Copies are rejected and returned. Originals will be attached to the I-20 issued for the visa application and returned to students who are outside the U.S. Except tax documents, leases, and deeds, all papers must be originals. Copies are rejected and returned. Originals will be attached to the I-20 issued for the visa application and returned to students who are outside the U.S. Except tax documents, leases, and deeds, all papers must be originals. Copies are rejected and returned. Originals will be attached to the I-20 issued for the visa application and returned to students who are outside the U.S.
8. Students can sponsor themselves, either partly or in full. No affidavits are needed for the student's own money. Recent bank statements in the student's name must be provided, and statements from at least a year earlier to show us that the money was not borrowed and recently deposited. Remember however, that the law requires financial support for your entire program in addition to readily available cash for the first year. Unless you have enough cash to support yourself and your studies in the U.S. for your entire program, your cash will soon be used up. You will probably need a sponsor with an income to show that you can finance the entire educational program. can sponsor themselves, either partly or in full. No affidavits are needed for the student's own money. Recent bank statements in the student's name must be provided, and statements from at least a year earlier to show us that the money was not borrowed and recently deposited. Remember however, that the law requires financial support for your entire program in addition to readily available cash for the first year. Unless you have enough cash to support yourself and your studies in the U.S. for your entire program, your cash will soon be used up. You will probably need a sponsor with an income to show that you can finance the entire educational program. can sponsor themselves, either partly or in full. No affidavits are needed for the student's own money. Recent bank statements in the student's name must be provided, and statements from at least a year earlier to show us that the money was not borrowed and recently deposited. Remember however, that the law requires financial support for your entire program in addition to readily available cash for the first year. Unless you have enough cash to support yourself and your studies in the U.S. for your entire program, your cash will soon be used up. You will probably need a sponsor with an income to show that you can finance the entire educational program.
9. Scholarships may be used to qualify for Form I-20. We must have an award letter from the private or government scholarship board stating how much money is to be given and for how many years. We must have an award letter from the private or government scholarship board stating how much money is to be given and for how many years. We must have an award letter from the private or government scholarship board stating how much money is to be given and for how many years.

We would rather not begin with warnings, but two serious mistakes are often made by students who are outside the United States, and one serious mistake can be made by students who are inside the United States. We want you to begin without problems, so we must tell you how to avoid them.

1. DO NOT ENTER THE U.S. WITH A B-1, B-2, OR B-1/B-2 VISA. You have been accepted to a university-level program. If you have an unexpired B visa and use it to enter the U.S., you could be guilty of "fraudulent entry" and refused permission to stay longer than six months or to extend or change your status. You should follow the enclosed instructions to obtain a Form I-20 and apply for an F-1 student visa before entering the U.S. Do not apply for a new B visa unless you explain in writing on your application that you plan to go to school. It is a serious violation of U.S. law to apply for a tourist or business visa after being accepted by a school. The visa officer can issue you a B-2 visa with the words "prospective student" written beneath it, but the officer will not do this unless there is reason to believe that you are qualified for a Form I-20 and that we cannot get the form to you in time. As long as there is time for you to meet our requirements for a Form I-20, do not expect to be given a B-2 visa. If the time gets very late, contact us before going to the consulate or embassy.
2. DO NOT ENTER THE U.S. WITHOUT A VISA. Citizens of 25 countries are allowed to enter the U.S. with no visas. Do not do this. If you enter without a visa, you will be permitted to stay for only 90 days. You will not be given more time or permitted to change to student status. The only people this rule does not apply to and who are truly exempt from having to get a visa are Canadians, British citizens resident in Canada, American Indians resident in Canada, or residents of Pacific Island nations that were once U.S. trust territories. Students from all other countries must have visas, including the "visa waiver" countries: ANDORRA, ARGENTINA, AUSTRALIA, AUSTRIA, BELGIUM, BRUNEI, DENMARK, FINLAND, FRANCE, GERMANY, ICELAND, IRELAND, ITALY, JAPAN, LIECHTENSTEIN, LUXEMBOURG, MONACO, THE NETHERLANDS, NEW ZEALAND, NORWAY, SAN MARINO, SLOVENIA, SPAIN, SWEDEN, SWITZERLAND, and the UNITED KINGDOM.
3. IF YOU ARE IN THE U.S. AS AN F-1 STUDENT, DO NOT TRAVEL WITH AN I-20 FROM ANY OTHER SCHOOL. You must attend the school that issued the Form I-20 you use to enter the U.S. If you are transferring from another U.S. school, you will lose your legal status if you travel outside the U.S. on your old school's I-20 and do not return to that school. Talk to us before you travel and be sure to reenter the U.S. with a Shasta Bible College I-20.