November 22, 2009
School of Engineering and Applied Science - Graduate Programs School of Engineering and Applied Science - Graduate Programs

International Students

We are pleased to welcome students from around the world into our graduate programs. Navigating the admissions process can be difficult for anyone, but can be especially difficult for our international students. There are a number of things international applicants should be aware of, from English language requirements to documentation required to process an I-20 or DS-2019. Please review the International Applicants Section of GW's Graduate Student Enrollment Management website carefully.

Have questions? You can contact the SEAS Office of Graduate Admissions at +1-202-994-6158 between the hours of 9am and 5pm, eastern time. You can also email us at engineering@gwu.edu. Please expect a response from our office within one business day.

Frequently Asked Questions - International Students on F-1 or J-1 VISA and no dependants, no transfer.

I have been admitted, what next?

Once you have been admitted into GWU, please review your admission details (i.e. The Admission Letter). Then, send in the $100 'reply-back' check to confirm your admission acceptance. If all the necessary documents required for the ISO to issue you an I-20/DS2019 are received by us in original, your file shall be forwarded to them. Your I-20/DS2019 shall be scanned to you as soon the ISO issues it to you. Once you approve it, it shall be sent to you by FedEx or DHL(Iran & Syria).


What documents do I have to provide to get an I-20/DS2019?

The following documents are required to be sent by you in original.

  1. The Financial Certificate has to be filled out carefully, signed in INK and sent to us in ORIGINAL.
  2. An original bank document signed and stamped by a bank authority, showing enough sources of funds.
    The Following documents can be Xerox copies
  3. Copy of passport name page and address page.

I still have questions about the Financial Certificate, how do I fill it out?

Filling out the Financial Certificate is easy, but please be careful and follow the instructions.

  1. If you are sponsored by a parent, relative or friends, please write the amount $39622 in the Year 1 and Year 2 Columns under Sponsor. Write the total as $39622 in both the columns.

    The following example is for Master's students in a 2 year program.


    The following example is for PhD students in a 5 year program.

  2. If you are self sponsored please fill out the certificate as follows.

    The following example is for Master's students in a 2 year program.

    The following example is for PhD students in a 5 year program.

  3. If you are sponsored by your government or an agency, please refer to the following sample. For MS Students please fill-out only Year 1 and Year 2.

    The following example is for PhD students in a 5 year program.

  4. If you are sponsored by GWU, please refer to the following sample. For MS Students please fill-out only Year 1 and Year 2.

    The following example is for PhD students in a 5 year program.


What is the amount is should be indicating on the bank document?
  1. If you are sponsored by a family member, friend, government or an agency, the sponsor needs to show a minimum amount of $39622 available for one year. The bank letter should not be dated 1 year before the commencement of the course.
  2. If you are self sponsored, you need to show a balance of $79244 ($39622 x 2 years for MS) and $198110($39622 x 5 years for PhD). The bank letter should not be dated 1 year before the commencement of the course.
  3. If you are sponsored by GWU just fill out the Financial Certificate and the reply card.

What additional documents are required?

Along with the copies of Name Page and address page of the, also provide copies of existing US VISAs and I-20s/DS2019s if applicable so that the SEVIS number can be transferred.


I am transferring from another school in the US to GWU, what additional documents do I need to be issued an I-20?

Please complete the following document and get it signed from the concerned official in your previous university. This Transfer-In form can be found at (http://....)


Frequently Asked Questions - International Students on F-1 VISA with dependants, no transfer.

I have been admitted, what next?

Once you have been admitted into GWU, please review your admission details (i.e. The Admission Letter). Then, send in the $100 'reply-back' check to confirm your admission acceptance. If all the necessary documents required for the ISO to issue you an I-20/DS2019 are received by us in original, your file shall be forwarded to them. Your I-20/DS2019 shall be scanned to you as soon the ISO issues it to you. Once you approve it, it shall be sent to you by FedEx or DHL(Iran & Syria).


What documents do I have to provide to get an I-20/DS2019?

The following documents are required to be sent by you in original.

  1. The Financial Certificate has to be filled out carefully, signed in INK and sent to us in ORIGINAL.
  2. An original bank document signed and stamped by a bank authority, showing enough sources of funds.
    The Following documents can be Xerox copies
  3. Copy of passport name page and address page.
  4. For dependants, attach a separate sheet of paper listing the 'Required Dependent Information' (name, gender, relationship, date of birth, city and country of birth, country of citizenship, and country of legal permanent residency).

I have dependants, how much money do I have to show per dependant?

$10,796 per year for your spouse and $5,394 per year for each child.

I still have questions about the Financial Certificate, how do I fill it out?

Filling out the Financial Certificate is easy, but please be careful and follow the instructions.

  1. If you are sponsored by a parent, relative or friends, please write the amount $40705 in the Year 1 and Year 2 Columns under Sponsor. Write the total as $40705 in both the columns.
    The following example is for Master’s students in a 2 year program.

    The following example is for PhD students in a 5 year program.
  2. If you are self sponsored please fill out the certificate as follows. The following example is for Master’s students in a 2 year program.

    The following example is for PhD students in a 5 year program.
  3. If you are sponsored by your government or an agency, please refer to the following sample. For MS Students please fill-out only Year 1 and Year 2.
    The following example is for PhD students in a 5 year program.
  4. If you are sponsored by GWU, please refer to the following sample. For MS Students please fill-out only Year 1 and Year 2.
    The following example is for PhD students in a 5 year program.

What is the amount is should be indicating on the bank document?
  1. If you are sponsored by a family member, friend, government or an agency, the sponsor needs to show a minimum amount of $40705+ Amount for dependant, available for one year. The bank letter should not be dated 1 year before the commencement of the course.
  2. If you are self sponsored, you need to show a balance of ($40705+ the amount for the dependant) x 2 years for MS and 5 years for PhD.
    The bank letter should not be dated 1 year before the commencement of the course.

What information should the Bank Document contain?
  • The Banks document should be on the Bank’s Letter head and signed by a bank official. It should have the bank’s seal/stamp on it.
  • The document must have the bank account number/ref. no.
  • The currency for the figure shown on the statement must be mentioned on the document.
  • The amount shown should be liquid assets and not a solvency certificate of property etc. Deposit slips, or bank statements printed from the internet are not acceptable.

What additional documents are required?

Along with the copies of Name Page and address page of the applicant and dependants, also provide copies of existing US VISAs and I-20s/DS2019s if applicable so that the SEVIS number can be transferred.


I am transferring from another school in the US to GWU, what additional documents do I need to be issued an I-20?

Please complete the following document and get it signed from the concerned official in your previous university.
This Transfer-In form can be found at (http://....)