Expenses and funding

A valid I-20/DS-2019 is required for you to obtain a visa and enter the U.S., transfer from another school to MU and maintain immigration status once you are in the U.S. Educational institutions in the U.S. are required by federal regulation to have documentation of adequate financial support before you may:

  • Receive an I-20/DS-2019
  • Extend or change a program
  • Change financial information on your I-20/DS-2019

You must show proof of having financial resources immediately available to cover 12 months of expenses based on the estimates outlined below. Remember that all fees may change without notice and that specific costs for each student will vary depending on the number of credits, housing options, etc.

Estimated expenses

Undergraduate students

Based on 14 credits each fall and spring term.

Item(s)Fall 2022Spring 2023Summer 2023Annual
Tuition and fees*$15,071$15,071$30,142
Living expenses$7,170$7,170$2,550$16,890
Health insurance$1,032$1,422$2,454
Total$23,273$23,663$2,550$49,486
Dependents for each add$4,000

Graduate students

Based on 9 credits each fall and spring term.

Item(s)Fall 2022Spring 2023Summer 2023Annual
Tuition and fees*$11,551$11,551$23,102
Living expenses$7,170$7,170$2,550$16,890
Health insurance$1,032$1,422$2,454
Total$19,753$20,143$2,550$42,446
Dependentsfor each add$4,000

Sponsored students

International sponsored students are charged an additional fee for the services provided by the Sponsored Student Program to meet scholarship reporting requirements. These fees are invoiced to your sponsor each term.

Item(s)Fall 2022Spring 2023Summer 2023Annual
Sponsored Student Program fee$500$500$300$1,300

*Some departments also assess additional course fees. Please see the Cashiers Office website for additional fee information.

Financial documentation

Documents meeting the requirements in the categories below will be accepted at the discretion of the international student adviser. All financial support documents must be:

  • Dated within 12 months of the intended date of enrollment or time of program change/extension.
  • In English or with an official translation into English attached.

New MU students must show adequate funding for at least one year based on the estimated expenses above. Funding requirements for continuing MU students vary based on request and student standing. Contact your international student adviser to determine the amount required.

Government, scholarship and graduate assistantship funding
  • Must be on the official letterhead of the organization or department.
  • Must specify the amount, terms and duration of the funding, including specific start and end dates.
Funding from family or friends
  • Must complete an affidavit of support.
  • Bank statement or letter must be on bank letterhead and include the name of the account holder, the account number and the specific amount of funds.
  • Name of sponsor on the affidavit of support must match the name of the account holder on the bank statement or letter.
  • Another F-1/J-1 student cannot be your sponsor on the affidavit of support.
Self-funding
  • Bank statement or letter must be on bank letterhead and include the name of the account holder, the account number and the specific amount of funds.
  • Name of the account holder on the bank statement or letter must be that of the student requesting the I-20/DS-2019.
  • Do not need to complete an affidavit of support.
Things to note
  • You cannot make any changes or alterations to your financial documentation. It must not contain any correction marks upon submission.
  • All financial support must be readily accessible (within 24 hours). Stocks, bonds, life insurance policies, income tax statements, proof of property ownership and employment letters are generally not acceptable. One exception is MU graduate assistantship employment letters, which are acceptable.
  • Bank letters must provide the specific amount of funds. Stating that there are “sufficient financial resources” is not acceptable.
  • Bank account statements printed from the internet must be stamped by the bank to show the statement or print date to be accepted.