Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Form I-20 and why do I need one?

Form I-20 is a Certificate of Eligibility issued by Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York to certify top the United States government that you have met our requirements to attend as an international student in F-1 non-immigrant status.

It certifies that you have met our admissions requirements, have been accepted for a full course of study, and have proven to us that you have sufficient funds to study and live in the United States.

You need a Form I-20 to obtain an F-1 student visa, or to keep lawful F-1 status when transferring or changing schools within the United States.

F-1 transfer students from another U.S. institution must have a Form I-20 from Medgar Evers College if they are traveling outside of the U.S. before classes begin.  If you are not traveling prior to the first day of class, you must have a new I-20 by the fifteenth day after the first day of class.

Who is eligible for the Form I-20?
A student is eligible to receive the Form I-20 only after he or she has:

  • Been admitted to Medgar Evers College for enrollment in a full course of study.
  • Provided documentary evidence proving financial ability to support living and study expenses.

If you are maintaining another nonimmigrant status in the U.S.  (except B1/B2), you do not need an I-20 form may attend school full-time of part-time.  If this is the case, you must submit a copy of your current visa to the Office of Admissions.

Dependant children in the e, F, H, I, J, L, M, N, O P, R, or S status need to change status to F-1 after their 21st birthday or if they marry.

Any questions regarding change of status should be addressed to the International Student Advisor.

How do I get my Form I-20?
Complete the application for the Form I-20 and attach the required documentary evidence that you have the financial ability to support your studying and living costs for your program. You may have financial sponsors or someone willing to sponsor you for room and board, these persons will need to submit their own affidavit of financial support and affidavit of free room and board respectively. 
Submit your completed Form I-20 application and all financial documentary evidence to the International Student Advisor at the address below.  Unless you have provided other instructions, your form I-20 will be mailed to you to the address that you have provided.
Please note: we are unable to fax or send your I-20 overnight.  Please allow enough time for us to mail it express mail.  You may authorize your I-20 to be picked up by a friend or relative, but this must be done in writing.

What are my estimated annual expenses?
The following is an estimated budget of expenses to attend Medgar Evers College for the current nine-month academic year and to live in New York City for a twelve-month calendar year. This budget is a modest average. It may increase or decrease depending upon your personal spending habits and lifestyle.  Tuition and fees are based on a minimum of twelve credits per semester and are subject to change throughout the course of the academic year.

Tuition and Fees per academic year (12 months) $10,257.00*
Student Living Expenses
Books and Supplies $1,248.00
Transportation $1,133.00
Personal Expenses $4,995.00
Housing $9,900.00
Meals (at home) $2,583.00
Lunch $1,360
Total Student Living Expenses #21,219.00
Total First Year Expenses $31,476.00**

*Tuition and Fees stated are based on the students taking at least 12 credits per semester. This is the minimum number of credits required to be a full-time student (necessary to maintain lawful immigration status). If you take more than 12 credits, you will be charged at the rate of $415 per credit (four year colleges).

**Please add $7,500 if your spouse will require F-2 status and add $5,000 for every child you wish to add in F-2 status.

What do I do once I’ve received my form I-20?
You must pay the SEVIS fee and make a visa appointment at your local United States embassy.

What should I do if my F-1 student visa application is denied?
If you were denied based on the grounds explained in #3 (above), there will be very little that you can do other than to reapply as soon as you have new, additional evidence to present. If you were denied on the grounds that you do not possess the required English proficiency or for any other academic reason, submit the name of the officer, the reason for denial, and the name of the visa post where you applied to Medgar Evers College. We will try to assist you in every way possible.

Most F-1 visa denials are based on students not being able to convince the consular officer that they have sufficient ties to compel them to return home after completing their studies. U.S. Embassies or Consulates in countries where large numbers of people have immigrated to the U.S. require that the documentary evidence presented be very strong.

Do not engage the consular officer in an argument. If you are denied a student visa, ask the officer for a list of documents he or she would suggest you bring in order to overcome the refusal, and try to get the reason you were denied in writing.

What should I do if I have not received my form I-20 yet?

  1. Apply for the B-2 Prospective Students Visa: Take your letter of acceptance from Medgar Evers College to he U.S. Embassy with all the evidence required for applying for the F-1 student visa (see other side). Explain that you have been admitted but have not yet received your Form I-20 A-B and that the college advised you to apply for the B-2 visa with a notation saying “Prospective Student”. You will be interviewed as if you were applying for a student visa but will be issued a B-2 visa with a notation saying “Prospective Student”. After you are admitted to the U.S. and have received your Form I-20, you will need to discuss with the International Student Advisor, your next step.
  1. Do not enter the U.S. with a tourist (B-1 or B-2) visa unless it is annotated “Prospective Student”. If you already hold a valid tourist visa, take your letter of acceptance with all the other evidence required for applying for the F-1 visa (see above) to the U.S. EMBASSY to request that this notation be added. To enter the U.S. as a tourist when you plan to be a student is a serious violation of U.S. law.
  • Pursuant to Federal Regulations at 8CFR214.2 (7):

“An alien who is admitted as, or changes status to, a B-1 or B-2 nonimmigrant on or after April 12, 2002, or who files a request to extend the period of authorized stay in B-1 or B-2 nonimmigrant status on or after such date, violates the conditions of his or her B-1 or B-2 status if the alien enrolls in a course of study.  Such an alien who desires to enroll in a course of study must either obtain an F-1 or M-1 nonimmigrant visa from a consular officer abroad and seek readmission to the United States, or apply for and obtain a change of status under section 248 of the Act and 8 CFR part 248.  The alien may not enroll in the course of study until the Service has admitted the alien as an F-1 or M-1 nonimmigrant or has approved the alien’s application under part 248 of this chapter and changed the alien’s status to that of an F-1 or M-1 nonimmigrant.”

  1. Do not enter the U.S. without a visa (WT or WB status) if you are from a country where it is permitted to present a round-trip airline ticket for entry. You will be able to stay in the U.S. 90 days and cannot change to F-1 status from within this country.

What if I am transferring from another U.S. institution?
In order for us to issue your I-20 and process your USCIS transfer to Medgar Evers College, you must submit the Transfer Verification Form to your present college and have them return the completed form to the International Student Service Office at Medgar Evers College.

In order to complete the transfer process and to remain in F-1 status you must also present the following documents: passport, I-94 card, Bursar’s receipt showing that you have registered for at least 12 credits, and copies of all your old I-20’s, no later than 15 days after the start of the semester.

How do I contact the Foreign Student Advisor of Medgar Evers College?

Telephone:(718) 270-6021
Fax:    (718) 270-6198
E-mail: jaugustin@mec.cuny.edu
Web site:  www.mec.cuny.edu