Student I-20 and DS-2019 Requests
International Students wishing to attend Adelphi must obtain the I-20 or DS-2019, necessary for studying in the US. With this form, you can register for classes, pay your SEVIS I-901 fee, apply for your student visa, and travel to the US.
Which Student Visa is Right For You?
F-1 is the most common visa status used by students in the U.S. and international students at Adelphi. All full-time international students are eligible. J-1 visa status is generally used for students in specific educational exchange programs. It can be also used by degree-seeking students who receive the majority of financial support from sources other than personal or family funds.
See the differences between F-1 and J-1 statuses
Important Dates
To ensure a smooth transition and avoid any delays in your studies, it is important to plan ahead. The deadline to request your I-20/DS-2019 form is:
- July 15 for the fall semester
- December 15 for the spring semester.
If your completed request is not received by the deadline, it will be deferred to the next academic term.
Applying for Your I-20/DS-2019
After being admitted to Adelphi and paying your deposit, you will receive an invitation to the International Services Portal via your university email address, where you will need to submit your request. If you need assistance or have questions throughout the process, our dedicated staff in International Services is here to support you.
About the International Services Portal
This portal is your main source for immigration records, document delivery, and individual requests to International Services for status maintenance and benefits.
Once in the portal, you will have access to the following tabs, where you will be guided through a series of electronic forms (eForms) and will be able to upload all required documents for your request:
- Location and Status: Where you will answer questions about your current location & immigration status. This is also where you will select if you are a SEVIS transfer student and upload current immigration documents (students in the United States only).
- Personal and Program: Where you will access customized personal and program information. This is also where you must upload your passport page(s) showing the machine-readable strip and your university admission or readmission letter. If you plan to bring eligible dependents with you, this is where you must upload a marriage license for your spouse, a birth certificate for any child, and a valid passport for each dependent.
- Expenses and Funding: Where you can view your individual estimated cost of attendance and any awarded university scholarships. This is also where you will be required to upload your financial documentation proving that you have enough funds readily available to cover your first year of expenses, and sufficient funding for the duration of your studies.
Decision Notification
The International Services office will review your request and inform you of the decision within one week. If additional information is needed, you will be given a deadline to submit the missing items. Once your document is processed, we will provide you with important pre-arrival and visa preparation information.
Required Forms
Please have ready the following documents saved as PDFs ready to upload as part of your request:
- Legible copy of your passport page(s) showing the machine-readable strip
- Admission Letter (readmission letter from the academic dean for returning students).
- University financial scholarship or other grant award letter
- Affidavit of Support for each financial sponsor
- Financial documents from all funding sources
- Transfer Form for SEVIS eligible transfer students
- I-20 Request Form
- Health Insurance Guarantee (J-1 students only)
Proof of Funds and Financial Documentation
To obtain the I-20 or DS-2019 form, you must demonstrate evidence of financial support, which includes:
- Sufficient funds that are readily available to cover all expenses associated for the first year
- Proof of financial resources available for the entire duration of your studies
Evidence can come from personal savings, family or other sponsors, company or business sponsors, government or other sponsoring agencies, student or personal loans, and/or university awards.
Estimating Your Costs
The estimated cost of attendance for an international student is the published cost for one year based on your chosen program of study. It includes direct costs (tuition, fees, and health insurance billed by Adelphi) and indirect costs (estimated additional expenses such as housing, food, books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses). The amount necessary to show proof of financial support is the same for students living on or off campus. To see your individual cost, log into the International Services Portal and select the “Expenses and Funding” tab.
The I-20 term for undergraduate study is 48 months. Below is an estimated breakdown of costs during this term period:
| Expense Type | Amount ($ USD) |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $49,260 |
| Housing | $13,784 |
| Meals | $6,810 |
| Insurance | $1,940 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,600 |
| Travel | $806 |
| Books | $1,020 |
| Total | $76,220 |
| Dependent Expenses | Amount ($ USD) |
|---|---|
| Spouse | $10,000 |
| Child | $5,000 |
The I-20 term for graduate study is 24 months. Below is an estimated breakdown of costs during this term period:
Master’s – Arts & Sciences, Business, Nursing, Psychology
| Expense Type | Amount ($ USD) |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $38,850 |
| Housing | $14,870 |
| Meals | $4,580 |
| Insurance | $1,940 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,600 |
| Travel | $3,400 |
| Books | $1,020 |
| Total | $67,260 |
Master’s – Education
| Expense Type | Amount ($ USD) |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $40,890 |
| Housing | $14,870 |
| Meals | $4,580 |
| Insurance | $1,940 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,600 |
| Travel | $3,400 |
| Books | $1,020 |
| Total | $69,300 |
Master’s – Social Work
| Expense Type | Amount ($ USD) |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $45,380 |
| Housing | $14,870 |
| Meals | $4,580 |
| Insurance | $1,940 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,600 |
| Travel | $3,400 |
| Books | $1,020 |
| Total | $73,790 |
Masters, Communication Disorders
| Expense Type | Amount ($ USD) |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $37,342 |
| Housing | $14,870 |
| Meals | $4,580 |
| Insurance | $1,940 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,600 |
| Travel | $3,400 |
| Books | $1,020 |
| Total | $65,752 |
| Dependent Expenses | Amount ($ USD) |
|---|---|
| Spouse | $10,000 |
| Child | $5,000 |
The I-20 term for doctoral study is 48-60 months. Below is an estimated breakdown of costs during this term period:
Audiology, AUD
| Expense Type | Amount ($ USD) |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $41,330 |
| Housing | $14,870 |
| Meals | $4,580 |
| Insurance | $1,940 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,600 |
| Travel | $3,400 |
| Books | $1,020 |
| Total | $69,740 |
Clinical Psychology, PhD
| Expense Type | Amount ($ USD) |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $63,570 |
| Housing | $14,870 |
| Meals | $4,580 |
| Insurance | $1,940 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,600 |
| Travel | $3,400 |
| Books | $1,020 |
| Total | $91,980 |
School Psychology, PSYD (48 months)
| Expense Type | Amount ($ USD) |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $42,930 |
| Housing | $14,870 |
| Meals | $4,580 |
| Insurance | $1,940 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,600 |
| Travel | $3,400 |
| Books | $1,020 |
| Total | $71,340 |
Speech-Language Sciences Disorders, PhD
| Expense Type | Amount ($ USD) |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $43,050 |
| Housing | $14,870 |
| Meals | $4,580 |
| Insurance | $1,940 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,600 |
| Travel | $3,400 |
| Books | $1,020 |
| Total | $71,460 |
Social Work, PhD
| Expense Type | Amount ($ USD) |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $41,010 |
| Housing | $14,870 |
| Meals | $4,580 |
| Insurance | $1,940 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,600 |
| Travel | $3,400 |
| Books | $1,020 |
| Total | $69,420 |
| Dependent Expenses | Amount ($ USD) |
|---|---|
| Spouse | $10,000 |
| Child | $5,000 |
Acceptable Types of Financial Documentation
We can accept the various financial documentation listed in the chart below. However, all financial documents must:
- Be easy to read and understand
- Dated within six months
- Show liquid assets, such as a checking, savings account, or withdrawable funds
- Be issued on the official stationery of the financial, sponsoring, or lending institution
- Indicate the account holder’s name, date of record, type or funds, available balance, and currency
- Be in English or accompanied by an official English translation
| Source of Funds | Documentation Required |
|---|---|
| Adelphi University | Copy of official award letter outlining your scholarship award amount from university admissions or other university source. |
| Personal funds or personal loan | Bank or financial statement dated within 6 months showing your name, date, currency, and available balance (sufficient for the entire academic program, or justification of other sources of personal income (employer letter from abroad indicating salary, investment portfolio).
If you are using private loan funding, include your loan award letter indicating amount of funds, validity dates, approval of funds, name, and date. |
| Family/friend funding | For funds not in your name (e.g. parents, spouse/partner/friends) two documents are required:
|
| Private business, government, or other organization funding | Letter from the agency or organization awarding the scholarship or funding indicating your name, date, name of the organization, and award amount.
If you are receiving funding from a private business, an official bank or financial statement meeting the acceptable document standards above must be provided. |
| Sponsors providing housing | For students’ provided free housing within commuting distance from Adelphi, reducing the amount of financial support by $12,616.
|
- We cannot accept the following types of financial documentation. In addition, International Services reserves the right to verify all submitted documentation for authenticity with the financial institution.
- Property (such as a house, gold, or land) or certificates showing the value of property or proposed sale of such property.
- Health/life insurance accounts, retirement or retirement insurance accounts, investment accounts, assets, bonds, other ‘insurance’ accounts
- The value of a business or financial statements of a business/company
- Credit card statements
- Proof of Income, such as salary statements or tax returns.
- Documents more than 6 months old, including for timed deposit certificates with future maturity dates.
- Documents that do not clearly state the account holders name, financial institution name, currency, or type of account.
To ensure prompt processing of your application, it is crucial to adhere to the following guidelines and avoid these common mistakes:
- Additional clarification is needed when multiple accounts and funding sources are used. Be clear and concise.
- Sponsor letter missing when the account is not in your name.
- Type of currency missing from account documents
- Account documents dated more than 6 months in the past.
- Any financial documentation missing specific amounts and numbers.
- Account documents are not in English and not annotated.
- Funding is insufficient. Funding must meet or exceed the exact amount listed on the I-20/DS-2019 request.
- Private sponsors or fellowships letters missing award amount.
- Unacceptable documentation, such as healthcare funds, property deeds, insurance policies, etc.
Next Steps After the I-20/DS-2019 is Issued
Once you have submitted all requirements, your request will be reviewed by a Designated School Official (DSO) or Responsible Officer (RO). You may be asked to submit additional information or documentation which can further the issuance of your document. This process will take approximately one week to complete.
When your I-20 or DS-2019 is prepared, you will receive an email from International Services guiding you through how to download your new immigration document, begin the student visa process, register for classes, and prepare for your arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
- An I-20 is a form used by students who wish to obtain F-1 Student status. Most international students come to the U.S. in F-1 status.
- A DS-2019 is a form used by students who wish to obtain J-1 Student status. To be eligible for J-1 status, you must be funded from a source other than personal or from family, such as your home government, an international organization, or a corporate sponsor.
You will need to upload documentation demonstrating adequate financial resources to participate in and complete your intended program. Financial evidence can come from multiple sources, such as: personal savings, family or other sponsors, government or other organizational funds, loans, and/or university awards.
Once you have submitted your completed request, it will take approximately one week for your document to be processed. If your request is missing any information, you will be notified directly.
A newly admitted international student who has paid their tuition deposit will be sent an invitation from International Services via their university-issued email connecting the student to the International Services Portal.
If you have not received an invitation from International Services and have been accepted to Adelphi University and have paid your tuition deposit, send an email to is@adelphi.edu.
Your estimated cost of attendance is the published cost for one year based on your program of study. It is made up of costs (those billed by Adelphi including tuition, fees, and health insurance) and indirect costs (estimates of additional costs you may pay during your time as a student such as housing, food, books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses).
Yes, you can have as many financial sponsors as necessary to meet the costs of your studies. If you have more than one financial sponsor, each sponsor must complete the Affidavit of Support and provide supporting financial documentation.
Once you receive your I-20 from International Services, you can begin the student visa (F-1) application process. The F-1 visa is issued by the U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Cultural Affairs and is required for international students to study in the United States. Individual applicants should plan early and refer to our F-1 Visa Process Guide for steps to apply, required documents, and how to prepare for your visa interview. Applicants should also refer to your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
The SEVIS I-901 fee must be paid prior to your initial visa interview using the SEVIS number listed on your currently issued I-20. Visit fmjfee.com for detailed instructions on how to pay this fee.
