I-20/DS-2019 Funding Requirements for 2025-2026
The International Students and Engagement Office (ISEO) is required by law to verify that each person applying for a Form I-20 (F-1) or Form DS-2019 (J-1) has sufficient funds to cover the period of their stay in the United States. In most cases, the documentation that we require will also be required at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate when applying for an F-1 or J-1 visa. Newly admitted students, as well as continuing and returning students, must prove they meet the Funding Requirements for their Form I-20 or DS-2019.
How Much Funding Do I Need to Show?
Newly Admitted Students
Newly admitted students are students who have accepted an offer of admission to UC San Diego. This includes admission to degree programs, UC Education Abroad Program (UCEAP), and Global Exchange (GE). To be eligible to receive their Initial Form I-20 or DS-2019:
- F-1 students must show enough funding to meet or exceed the financial estimate for 1 academic year of their program of study.
- J-1 students (including UCEAP and Global Exchange) must show enough funding to meet or exceed the financial estimate for the entire duration of their program of study.
- Students accompanied by one or more dependents (spouse, and/or children under 21 years old) must show additional funding to meet the Spouse and/or Child financial estimate(s).
- All financial documents must be no more than 3 months old at the time of submission to ISEO*, and must be in English or accompanied by an official certified English translation. For more information on acceptable types of funding sources, please see the next section on this page entitled, “What Financial Documentation is Accepted?”.
*For instructions on submitting your request for an Initial Form I-20 or DS-2019 to ISEO, please review the instructions at iNewStudent.ucsd.edu/.
Continuing Students (Program Extensions)
Continuing students are students currently enrolled at UC San Diego, who need to extend their Form I-20 or DS-2019 to continue their program.
All financial documents must be no more than 3 months old at the time of submission to ISEO, and must be in English or accompanied by an official certified English translation. For more information on acceptable types of funding sources, please see the next section on this page entitled, “What Financial Documentation is Accepted?”.
Students who do not 'pay rent' or bear cost of living expenses may not deduct that cost from their overall financial estimate total. Proof of funding for the standardized estimated rent costs is required of all F-1/J-1 students when requestingg program extensions.- F-1 and J-1 students extending for LESS than 1 academic year:
- Must show enough funding to meet or exceed the financial estimate equating to the number of quarters they plan to extend their program for. Refer to the per-quarter columns in the financial estimates below.
- Exceptions: If you are filing a program extension but do not plan to enroll in coursework and pay tuition fees during the extended period, you may deduct the Tuition and Fees costs from the overall total shown in the financial estimates below. Please explain in your “Extension I-20/DS-2019 Request” in iPortal (Note to Advisors) why your funding requirements differ from costs outlined on this page.
- F-1 students extendingg for 1 academic year or more:
- Must show enough funding to meet or exceed the financial estimate for 1 academic year of their program of study.
- J-1 students eextending for 1 academic year or more:
- Must show enough funding to meet or exceed the financial estimate for the entire remaining duration of their program of study.
- Dependents:
- Students accompanied by one or more dependents (spouse, and/or children under 21 years old) must show additional funding to meet the Spouse and/or Child financial estimate(s).
- Students accompanied by one or more dependents (spouse, and/or children under 21 years old) must show additional funding to meet the Spouse and/or Child financial estimate(s).
Returning Students
Returning students are students who are returning to UC San Diego to resume their enrollment after a period of absence (leave of absence, withdrawal, SEVIS termination, etc.). If you require a new Initial I-20 or DS-2019 with a new SEVIS ID number to resume enrollment at UC San Diego, you are required to prove you meet the F or J Funding Requirements.
All financial documents must be no more than 3 months old at the time of submission to ISEO, and must be in English or accompanied by an official certified English translation. For more information on acceptable types of funding sources, please see the next section on this page entitled, “What Financial Documentation is Accepted?”.
- F-1 students:
- Returning for 1 academic year or more must show enough funding to meet or exceed the financial estimate for 1 academic year of their program of study.
- Returning for LESS than 1 academic year must show enough funding to meet or exceed the financial estimate for the remaining duration of their program of study. Refer to the per-quarter columns in the financial estimates below.
- J-1 students:
- Must show enough funding to meet or exceed the financial estimate for the entire remaining duration of their program of study.
- Dependents:
- Students accompanied by one or more dependents (spouse, and/or children under 21 years old) must show additional funding to meet the Spouse and/or Child financial estimate(s).
Acceptable Sources of Funding
The Form I-20/DS-2019 and F/J visa application processes require all funding used to be immediately available/withdrawable to the student. Because of this, not all sources of funding may be used toward the Form I-20/DS-2019 Funding Requirements. Review the “What Financial Documentation is Accepted” section below to learn what sources of funding and supporting documentation are acceptable.
Regardless of the funding source, ALL financial documents must:
- Be dated within 3 months at their time of submission to ISEO
- Be in English, or accompanied by an official certified English translation
- Show funds that are immediately available. Funding cannot be frozen or in locked accounts, unless the document clearly shows a maturity date before your term start at UC San Diego
What Financial Documentation is Accepted?
Use the following guide to help you understand what documents are accepted as proof of sufficient financial support (all documents cannot be older than 3 months at the time of your request submission):
Document |
Yes |
No |
Criteria |
|
Personal funds: checking or savings account statements |
Yes |
|
|
|
Private sponsors (including parents) |
Yes |
|
|
|
Term deposits |
Yes |
|
|
|
Stock holdings, investment portfolios, wealth management products (WMP), or brokerage accounts |
|
No |
|
|
Loan certificates/letters |
Yes |
|
|
|
Funding support letter from department or government/educational institution/business enterprise. Includes scholarships and fellowships. |
Yes |
|
|
|
Income or salary statements (except UC San Diego TA/GSR positions) |
|
No |
|
|
Life insurance policy statements |
|
No |
|
|
Pension funds, provident funds, or other retirement schemes |
|
No |
|
|
Tax return forms or documents |
|
No |
|
|
Cryptocurrency |
|
No |
|
|
Lines of credit or credit cards |
|
No |
|
Funding from Financial Sponsors
What is a financial sponsor?
A financial sponsor is any individual or institution contributing funds in support of your program of study, and for the Form I-20/DS-2019 and F/J visa application processes. A financial sponsor could be a private sponsor (such as a parent/guardian or relative), or an institutional sponsor (such as a government or home country employer). It is not necessary that a financial sponsor reside in the United States. A financial sponsor may provide complete or partial support for the student, but the student’s total available funding must equal or exceed the financial estimate for their program of study and visa type.
If a financial sponsor will be contributing funds, the student should be prepared to provide official proof of their relationship to the sponsor. Although this verification of relationship may not be required for Form I-20/DS-2019 issuance, the student may be required to provide such evidence at the time of the visa interview. For those sponsored by a government, educational institution, home employer, or other business enterprise, a letter of financial support is required directly from the sponsor for Form I-20 or DS-2019 issuance.
Funding from Academic Departments (for Graduate Students)
Graduate students receiving financial support from their department (e.g., scholarships, teaching assistantship, graduate student researcher, etc.) may include evidence of this support in their request for their Form I-20 or DS-2019. Any department financial support that does not meet the minimum total financial estimate for the student’s program of study (as outlined below) must be supplemented by documentation of other financial sources to altogether meet or exceed the total financial estimate amount required.
NOTE: In general, financial support for master's degree students is not guaranteed, regardless of program of study or department. Doctoral students have priority for Teaching Assistant and Graduate Student Researcher positions. As a result, master's degree students should not plan on those positions as a means of financial support during their course of study and should have other plans in place to fund their program tuition & fees, living expenses, and supplies.
Amount Required (Form I-20/DS-2019 Financial Estimates)
The information below is subject to change without notice.
Undergraduate (Bachelor's) Programs (Including EAP/Global Exchange)
| Undergraduate (Bachelor's) Programs |
NEW ADMITS: 1 Academic Year/3 Quarters (9 Months) Current Students: 1-Academic-Year (9 Months) Extension |
2-Quarter (6 Months) Extension for Current & Returning Students |
1-Quarter (3 Months) Extension for Current & Returning Students |
| Tuition & Fees | $54,024 | $35,806 | $17,903 |
| Living Expenses | $21,678 | $14,452 | $7,226 |
| Other: Books & Supplies | $1,287 | $858 | $429 |
| Total: | $76,989 | $51,116 | $25,558 |
| Undergraduate EAP Reciprocity or Global Exchange | 1 Academic Year/3 Quarters (9 Months) | 2 Quarters (6 Months) | 1 Quarter (3 Months) |
| Tuition & Fees | Covered by UCEAP or Global Exchange | Covered by UCEAP or Global Exchange | Covered by UCEAP or Global Exchange |
| Living Expenses | $24,372 | $16,248 | $8,124 |
| Other: Books & Supplies | $1,287 | $858 | $429 |
| Total: | $25,659 | $17,106 | $8,553 |
Note: All fees are calculated based on UCSD’s Cost of Attendance figures (as of 02/01/2025) and are subject to change without notice. ISEO includes the cost of health insurance and one-time Document Fees in its estimates.
Graduate (Master's and PhD) Programs (Including EAP/Global Exchange)
| Graduate (Master's and PhD) Programs Excludes Rady Master's, GPS, MAS programs |
NEW ADMITS: 1 Academic Year/3 Quarters (9 Months) Current Students: 1-Academic-Year (9 Months) Extension |
2-Quarter (6 Months) Extension for Current & Returning Students | 1-Quarter (3 Months) Extension for Current & Returning Students |
| Tuition & Fees | $36,091 | $23,894 | $11,947 |
| Living Expenses | $34,077 | $22,718 | $11,359 |
| Other: Books & Supplies | $645 | $430 | $215 |
| Total: | $70,813 | $47,042 | $23,521 |
| Graduate EAP Reciprocity or Global Exchange | 1 Academic Year/3 Quarters (9 Months) | 2 Quarters (6 Months | 1 Quarter (3 Months) |
| Tuition & Fees | Covered by UCEAP or Global Exchange | Covered by UCEAP or Global Exchange | Covered by UCEAP or Global Exchange |
| Living Expenses | $39,720 | $26,480 | $13,240 |
| Other: Books & Supplies | $645 | $430 | $215 |
| Total: | $40,365 | $26,910 | $13,455 |
Note: All fees are calculated based on UCSD’s Cost of Attendance figures (as of 02/01/2025) and are subject to change without notice. ISEO includes the cost of health insurance and one-time Document Fees in its estimates.
Rady School of Management Programs
For Rady Ph.D. Program, see "Graduate (Master's and PhD) Programs(Including EAP/Global Exchange)" drawer above.
|
Rady School: MBA |
NEW ADMITS: 1 Academic Year/3 Quarters (9 Months) Current Students: 1-Academic-Year (9 Months) Extension |
2-Quarter (6 Months) Extension for Current & Returning Students | 1-Quarter (3 Months) Extension for Current & Returning Students |
| Tuition & Fees | $73,998 | $47,304 | $23,652 |
| Living Expenses | $36,781 | $21,294 | $10,647 |
| Other: Books & Supplies | $1,231 | $430 | $215 |
| Total: | $112,010 | $69,028 | $34,514 |
Note: All fees are calculated based on UCSD’s Cost of Attendance figures (as of 02/01/2025) and are subject to change without notice. ISEO includes the cost of health insurance and one-time Document Fees in its estimates.
|
Rady School: MS in Business Analytics (MSBA) |
NEW ADMITS: Summer and 1 Academic Year (11 Months) | 1-Quarter Extension for Current & Returning Students (extending into Fall, Winter or Spring term) | 1-Quarter Extension for Current & Returning Students (extending into Summer term) |
| Tuition & Fees | $80,602 | $19,821 | $9,481 |
| Living Expenses | $36,781 | $10,647 | $4,840 |
| Other: Books & Supplies | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total: |
$117,383 |
$30,468 | $14,321 |
Note: All fees are calculated based on UCSD’s Cost of Attendance figures (as of 02/01/2025) and are subject to change without notice. ISEO includes the cost of health insurance and one-time Document Fees in its estimates. 1-Quarter Extension Tuition and Fees are based off the per-unit cost of tuition X a full-time course load.
|
Rady School: Master of Quantitative Finance (MQF) |
NEW ADMITS: 1 Academic Year and Summer (12 Months) | 1-Quarter Extension for Current & Returning Students (Fall, Winter or Spring Term) | 1-Quarter Extension for Current & Returning Students (Summer Term) |
| Tuition & Fees | $88,628 | $27,301 | $6,475 |
| Living Expenses | $41,620 | $10,647 | $9,679 |
| Other: Books & Supplies | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total: | $130,248 | $37,948 | $16,154 |
Note: All fees are calculated based on UCSD’s Cost of Attendance figures (as of 02/01/2025) and are subject to change without notice. ISEO includes the cost of health insurance and one-time Document Fees in its estimates. 1-Quarter Extension Tuition and Fees are based off the per-unit cost of tuition X a full-time course load.
|
Rady School: Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAc) |
NEW ADMITS: 1 Academic Year/3 Quarters (9 Months) | 2-Quarter (6 Months) Extension for Current & Returning Students | 1-Quarter (3 Months) Extension for Current & Returning Students |
| Tuition & Fees | $80,027 | $54,140 | $27,070 |
| Living Expenses | $31,841 | $21,294 | $10,647 |
| Other: Books & Supplies | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total: | $111,868 | $75,434 | $37,717 |
Note: All fees are calculated based on UCSD’s Cost of Attendance figures (as of 02/01/2025) and are subject to change without notice. ISEO includes the cost of health insurance and one-time Document Fees in its estimates.
School of Global Policy & Strategy (GPS) Programs
| GPS: Master of International Affairs (MIA) and Master of Public Policy (MPP) |
NEW ADMITS: 1 Academic Year/3 Quarters (9 Months) Current Students: 1-Academic-Year (9 Months) Extension |
2-Quarter (6 Months) Extension for Current & Returning Students | 1-Quarter (3 Months) Extension for Current & Returning Students |
| Tuition & Fees | $44,225 | $29,350 | $14,675 |
| Living Expenses | $34,077 | $23,148 | $11,574 |
| Other: Books & Supplies | $645 | $430 | $215 |
| Total: | $78,947 | $52,928 | $26,464 |
| GPS: Master of Chinese Economic and Political Affairs (MCEPA) |
NEW ADMITS: 1 Academic Year/3 Quarters (9 Months) Current Students: 1-Academic-Year (9 Months) Extension |
2-Quarter (6 Months) Extension for Current & Returning Students | 1-Quarter (3 Months) Extension for Current & Returning Students |
| Tuition & Fees | $49,051 | $32,534 | $16,267 |
| Living Expenses | $34,077 | $22,718 | $11,359 |
| Other: Books & Supplies | $645 | $430 | $215 |
| Total: | $83,773 | $55,682 | $27,841 |
| GPS: MAS in International Affairs (MAS-IA) |
NEW ADMITS: 1 Academic Year/3 Quarters (9 Months) Current Students: 1-Academic-Year (9 Months) Extension |
2-Quarter (6 Months) Extension for Current & Returning Students | 1-Quarter (3 Months) Extension for Current & Returning Students |
| Tuition & Fees | $56,083 | $37,222 | $18,611 |
| Living Expenses | $34,077 | $22,718 | $11,359 |
| Other: Books & Supplies | $645 | $430 | $215 |
| Total: | $90,805 | $60,370 | $30,185 |
Note: All fees are calculated based on UCSD’s Cost of Attendance figures (as of 02/01/2025) and are subject to change without notice. ISEO includes the cost of health insurance and one-time Document Fees in its estimates.
Other MAS Degree Programs
|
Scripps Institute of Oceanography (SIO): MAS Climate Science & Policy |
NEW ADMITS: Summer and 1 Academic Year (11 Months) | 1-Quarter Extension for Current & Returning Students (Fall, Winter or Spring Term) | 1-Quarter Extension for Current & Returning Students (Summer Term) |
| Tuition & Fees | $47,620 | $11,899 | $5,543 |
| Living Expenses | $38,716 | $10,647 | $6,775 |
| Other: Books & Supplies | $782 | $215 | $137 |
| Total: | $87,118 | $22,761 | $12,455 |
Note: All fees are calculated based on UCSD’s Cost of Attendance figures (as of 02/01/2025) and are subject to change without notice. ISEO includes the cost of health insurance and one-time Document Fees in its estimates. 1-Quarter Extension Tuition and Fees are based off the per-unit cost of tuition X a full-time course load.
|
Scripps Institute of Oceanography (SIO): MAS in Marine Biodiversity & Conservation |
NEW ADMITS: Summer and 1 Academic Year (12 Months) | 1-Quarter Extension for Current & Returning Students (Fall, Winter or Spring Term) | 1-Quarter Extension for Current & Returning Students (Summer Term) |
| Tuition & Fees | $48,908 | $12,103 | $5,644 |
| Living Expenses | $41,620 | $10,647 | $9,679 |
| Other: Books & Supplies | $840 | $215 | $195 |
| Total: | $91,368 |
$22,965 |
$15,518 |
Note: All fees are calculated based on UCSD’s Cost of Attendance figures (as of 02/01/2025) and are subject to change without notice. ISEO includes the cost of health insurance and one-time Document Fees in its estimates. 1-Quarter Extension Tuition and Fees are based off the per-unit cost of tuition X a full-time course load.
|
Health Sciences: MAS in Clinical Research |
NEW ADMITS: Summer and 1 Academic Year (12 Months) | 1-Quarter Extension for Current & Returning Students (Fall, Winter or Spring Term) | 1-Quarter Extension for Current & Returning Students (Summer Term) |
| Tuition & Fees | $44,914 | $13,291 | $6,563 |
| Living Expenses | $41,620 | $10,647 | $9,679 |
| Other: Books & Supplies | $840 | $215 | $195 |
| Total: | $87,374 | $24,153 | $16,437 |
Note: All fees are calculated based on UCSD’s Cost of Attendance figures (as of 02/01/2025) and are subject to change without notice. ISEO includes the cost of health insurance and one-time Document Fees in its estimates. 1-Quarter Extension Tuition and Fees are based off the per-unit cost of tuition X a full-time course load.
|
Health Sciences: MS in Drug Development and Product Management |
NEW ADMITS: 1 Academic Year/3 Quarters (9 Months) |
2-Quarter (6 Months) Extension for Current & Returning Students | 1-Quarter (3 Months) Extension for Current & Returning Students |
| Tuition & Fees | $40,843 | $27,062 | $13,531 |
| Living Expenses | $31,941 | $21,294 | $10,647 |
| Other: Books & Supplies | $645 | $430 | $215 |
| Total: | $73,429 | $48,786 | $24,393 |
Note: All fees are calculated based on UCSD’s Cost of Attendance figures (as of 02/01/2025) and are subject to change without notice. ISEO includes the cost of health insurance and one-time Document Fees in its estimates.
|
HWSPH: Master of Public Health |
NEW ADMITS: Summer and 1 Academic Year (12 Months) | 1-Quarter Extension for Current & Returning Students (Fall, Winter or Spring Term) | 1-Quarter Extension for Current & Returning Students (Summer Term) |
| Tuition & Fees | $58,443 | $16,291 | $7,048 |
| Living Expenses | $41,620 | $10,647 | $9,679 |
| Other: Books & Supplies | $840 | $215 | $195 |
| Total: | $100,903 | $27,153 | $16,922 |
Note: All fees are calculated based on UCSD’s Cost of Attendance figures (as of 02/01/2025) and are subject to change without notice. ISEO includes the cost of health insurance and one-time Document Fees in its estimates. 1-Quarter Extension Tuition and Fees are based off the per-unit cost of tuition X a full-time course load.
|
JSOE: MAS in Architecture-Based Systems Engineering Leadership |
NEW ADMITS: 1 Academic Year and Summer (12 Months) |
1-Quarter Extension for Current & Returning Students (Fall, Winter or Spring Term) | 1-Quarter Extension for Current & Returning Students (Summer Term) |
| Tuition & Fees | $44,789 | $13,039 | $5,422 |
| Living Expenses | $41,620 | $10,647 | $9,679 |
| Other: Books & Supplies | $840 | $215 | $195 |
| Total: | $87,249 | $23,901 | $15,296 |
Note: All fees are calculated based on UCSD’s Cost of Attendance figures (as of 02/01/2025) and are subject to change without notice. ISEO includes the cost of health insurance and one-time Document Fees in its estimates. 1-Quarter Extension Tuition and Fees are based off the per-unit cost of tuition X a full-time course load.
|
CSS: MS in Computational Social Science |
NEW ADMITS: Summer and 1 Academic Year (12 Months) |
1-Quarter Extension for Current & Returning Students (Fall, Winter or Spring Term) | 1-Quarter Extension for Current & Returning Students (Summer Term) |
| Tuition & Fees | $62,219 | $14,167 | $7,001 |
| Living Expenses | $41,620 | $10,647 | $9,679 |
| Other: Books & Supplies | $840 | $215 | $195 |
| Total: | $104,679 | $25,029 | $16,875 |
Note: All fees are calculated based on UCSD’s Cost of Attendance figures (as of 02/01/2025) and are subject to change without notice. ISEO includes the cost of health insurance and one-time Document Fees in its estimates. 1-Quarter Extension Tuition and Fees are based off the per-unit cost of tuition X a full-time course load.
Spouse and/or Child
Note: If you are accompanied by a spouse, and/or children under 21 years old, you must add the following amounts to the total required. If you have more than 2 dependents, add the "2nd dependent costs" for each additional dependent.
| Spouse and/or Child | 1 Academic Year/3 Quarters (9 Months) | 2 Quarters (6 Months) | 1 Quarter (3 Months) |
| 1st Dependent | $7,200 | $4,800 | $2,400 |
| 2nd Dependent | $3,600 | $2,400 | $1,200 |