Who are sponsored students?
Sponsored students receive primary educational funding through a third-party source, such as a government (U.S. or foreign), foundation, nonprofit organization, employer, university or business. Students receiving financial support through an MU academic department would not be considered sponsored.
Not sure if you’re a sponsored student? If you can answer yes to any of the following questions, contact the Sponsored Student Program for more information.
- Do you receive educational funding from a source other than your family or the University of Missouri?
- Does your scholarship provider require invoicing?
- Does your scholarship program have reporting requirements?
Maintaining your status and sponsor compliance
In addition to the standard regulations for F-1/J-1 students, sponsored students also have unique requirements to maintain sponsorship. The Sponsored Student Program is happy to assist you with navigating these requirements. Please contact us by email (musponsoredstudentprogram@missouri.edu) if you have any questions.
Communication
The most important step toward maintaining status and sponsorship is to communicate regularly with your sponsor and the Sponsored Student Program. Our staff are available during regular walk-in advising sessions and by email.
Who manages your I-20/DS-2019?
It is important to understand who manages your I-20/DS-2019. For some sponsored students, these documents are issued by MU. For others, they are issued by the sponsoring agency. To see who issued your document, check to see who signed it:
- I-20: See the signature under “School Attestation”
- DS-2019: See the signature under “Responsible Office or Alternate Responsible Officer”
If the person who signed your document is from MU International Student and Scholar Services or International Admissions, your I-20/DS-2019 is MU-managed. If the person is from your sponsoring agency, your I-20/DS-2019 is sponsor-managed.
The following chart summarizes the main ways to maintain your immigration status and sponsor compliance.
| MU-managed I-20/DS-2019 | Sponsor-managed I-20/DS-2019 | |
|---|---|---|
| Enrollment | In addition to enrollment guidelines for all international students, you must adhere to your sponsor program requirements and seek approval for any reduction in course load | In addition to enrollment guidelines for all international students, you must adhere to your sponsor’s requirements and seek approval for any reduction in course load |
| Online coursework | Per enrollment guidelines and your sponsor’s requirements | Per enrollment guidelines and your sponsor’s requirements |
| Changes to academic program (change of major, adding a major/minor, etc.) | Obtain sponsor approval first, then follow instructions for changing your program | Contact your sponsor for correct guidelines and procedure — only sponsor can process changes to your program |
| Employment* | Confirm sponsor approval for any employment (including on campus) and review employment information for all international students | Contact your sponsor for correct guidelines and procedure |
| Travel** | Review travel information for all international students | Obtain travel signature from your sponsor and review travel information for all international students |
*Some sponsors do not permit any employment. Other sponsors may permit only certain types of employment. Engaging in employment without prior approval from your sponsor may negatively impact your sponsorship. See your terms of award or contact your sponsor for more information.
**Some sponsors require prior approval for travel both within and outside of the United States. Traveling without prior approval from your sponsor may negatively impact your sponsorship. See your terms of award or contact your sponsor for more information.