List of 10 Financial Documents Required for Study Abroad Applications

Are you applying for admission abroad? Then you must keep some financial documents for studying abroad handy for submission along with the applications. Several financial documents may be required as proof to be attached to admission and student visa applications. To help international students navigate through and understand which documents are necessary and in which format, we have compiled a list of documents with the relevant details. So check it out before you proceed with your applications!

Studying abroad is a dream that requires extensive planning, various application steps, and long, meticulous documentation. Starting from collecting the transcripts and the scorecards to writing and submitting admission essays/statements of purpose/letters of recommendation to the long application forms, this process does not stop here, and with admissions, a completely different set of paperwork begins for your student visa. An important component of the same is the financial documents. While the specifics might change from country to country and university to university, every document follows a format.

This article will guide you toward the different documents that a study abroad aspirant requires, including samples of formats for financial documents specific to study abroad and basic good-to-know facts. We will start by explaining some of the terms commonly used by Universities/ Consulates for Confirmation of Admission/ Student Visa Applications, respectively.

Check: Can you Study Abroad for Free?

What is Proof of Funds and How to Get it?

One of the basics of Student Visa Applications is the requirement of Proof of Funds or Financial Capacity. For almost all countries (barring a few), students must provide evidentiary proof that they can pay not only the fee but also normal living expenses and others for the duration of their stay in the country. Some universities ask for the same, but only after sending you an admission offer. Irrespective of who asks for PoF, the fact remains that Proof of Funds refers to the proof that the student can bear the cost of studying abroad. This is a prerequisite for obtaining a student visa at many foreign universities. Usually, one can demonstrate his/her proof of funds through his/her letter of support from a sponsor, scholarship awards letters, bank statements, etc. How much would the value of funds depend upon the university/college or country you're targeting? So make sure that you know all the correct financial requirements before you move forward with your application.

Proof of financial support for international students includes two chief components:

1. Fees and other University charges

Students must often pay for this component in advance to confirm their admission offer. Since the payment is made upfront, the proof of this component comprises receipts of payments made. Usually, universities do not require a student to provide proof of future payments. In addition, more often than not, the fees are revised; there is no fixed amount. Even then, universities might request proof of income to ensure that you can pay the fee in the future. This might sometimes require sponsorship letters or an Affidavit of Support. Some universities require proof of funds available for minimum balance requirements in special accounts (e.g., Germany, Netherlands, Canada, etc.).

2. Living Expenses

Most countries have a specified basic minimum living expense requirement. The students are, in turn, requested to provide proof that they have access to the same. Most European countries require liquid funds in the amount specified and available to the student, which is called the statutory fund requirements. In the USA, while no statutory amount is specified in terms of minimum monthly expense, students must provide proof of financial support and/ or capacity to make the payments. Students must provide documentary proof that they have access to that amount for the specified tenure. Again, a country might request proof of funds for one year, while some might ask for fund availability for the entire tenure of the course’s normal duration. Here is a list of some countries and the minimum fund requirements (living expenses) specified.

*Subject to change

Note for USA: For admissions to Universities in the USA, Financial Proof is requested at the time of confirmation of admission by the universities. Only when proof is provided will the university issue the I-20 forms. Also, as mentioned, there is no minimum requirement, but the University would provide a basic cost, which the student would have to provide proof of capacity. 

List of 10 Financial Documents Accepted as Proof of Funds

There is no standard list of documents that would be required by countries abroad. As the application process for the countries varies, so do the student visa requirements and the list of documents required as proof of funds. Every country’s Student Visa/ University requirements list a separate set of acceptable documents. Here is a list of what financial supporting documents can be and samples wherever necessary. Also, more than one proof (unless a specific account/ deposit is requested) can be combined with another.

1. Bank Account Statements

Simple enough, the universities/ Visa Consulates might require you to submit your/ your sponsors’ bank account statements for a specific period. Again, the formats are plain and simple. How to show bank statement for student visa? In order to show bank statements, students should remember that:

• The statements should be of the person specifically required. For instance, if a university accepts the support of a parent/ guardian or spouse, then the statement should be from the person’s savings account. Some countries, like Sweden, require the funds to be in the student’s account, and accordingly, the student should keep a check on them. (Note: Current Account Statements are generally not accepted, so it is always best to confirm before submitting the same.)

• It should be a scanned copy of statements in original and not e-mail statements, duly stamped and signed by the bank. With net banking, getting a statement is often a click away. However, to prove financial capacity, the bank statement must be original, on the bank’s letterhead, stamped and signed by the bank. Ensure that it is not handwritten. 

• Try to submit recent bank statements that are not too long. Plus, check the required format based on the country of admission for the application submission. 

• Should specify the tenures required. Universities/ visa consulates often ask for 6 months' bank statements (the tenure may vary).

Also, read about J Form: Study Abroad with Indian Agricultural Income

2. Loan Approval/ Disbursement Letter

Students can also provide a Loan Approval Letter as proof of funds. This is easy enough to get from the bank you have applied for a loan. While the banks might have a set format, the letter conveys the bank's approval to loan the student a specific amount for his higher education abroad. Here are a few things a student should keep in mind:

• The letter should be on the bank’s letterhead, duly signed and stamped

• The letter should specify the amount of the loan and the student’s name

• Should include a promise to disburse the amount as and when specified

• Should mention, “The Loan of Rs. _____________ has been fully sanctioned, and all terms and conditions are completed except disbursement.”

Read: Indian Banks offering Education Loans for Studying Abroad 

Download the guide on this page for sample formats of the Loan Approval Letter.

3. Scholarship Letters

If you have been given a scholarship, the student can also attach the scholarship letter as evidence of financial capacity. The University/ Institution that grants the scholarship often provides this letter. In case you have received a Governmental Grant, you are required to attach a copy of the same as well. Read: Study Abroad Scholarships

4. Affidavit of Support/ Sponsorship

Strictly speaking, an Affidavit of Support is not a Financial Document but rather a validation of financial support being provided to the student. Since the document is often asked for by universities in the USA and Australia, along with financial proof, we have included it on the list.

An Affidavit of Support or Sponsorship is a notarized document on a Stamp Paper (often of INR 10 or INR 20 denomination), which mentions that another person (parents/ spouse/ relative) would be sponsoring your education and paying for (or can afford) your fees and living expenses. The signed document directly binds the person to accept all financial responsibility for the student's study cost. The Affidavit of Support is often supplemented with Proof of Income and/or Bank Letters. Things to keep in mind

• A distant relative cannot provide an affidavit of Support. Direct blood relations are often required, including parents, maternal/ paternal uncles/ aunts, and grandparents. Spouse is also acceptable.

• It should be notarized and on stamp paper. This is available at the local courts.

• Suppose it is from an uncle/ aunt. In that case, the document should mention the reason for their sponsorship claim that they have enough funds to bear their own/ family unit expenses even after providing the sponsorship/ support to the student. A student should always check that this is acceptable to the university.

Note:

Students applying to European universities should note that the sponsorships are quite different in European countries. Most countries do not accept support documents. They, however, accept sponsorships from people who reside in that country. For instance, if you are applying to Universities in France and an uncle is staying in France and is willing to take care of your expenses, then the student must provide a “Letter of Sponsorship”. These are standard formats often available to students by the Visa issuing authority for that country.

Download the guide on this page for a sample format for the Affidavit of Support.

5. Bank Letters

Simply put, these letters mention the nature of accounts held by the student/ sponsor in the banks and the balance in the account. As suggested, these are provided by the bank and should be duly signed and stamped on the bank's official letterhead. Here is what all the bank letters should include

• Name of the person/ persons who hold the account with the bank

• The kind of account (savings/ current/ joint) and the tenure of the relationship (years for which the person has held the account in that bank)

• Balance in the account/s with its converted amount and the conversion rate used. Ex. Savings Bank (Balance as of 31st October 2016) INR 800,000, equivalent to US$ 11,928 at a conversion rate of US $1 = INR 67.07

Note: A Bank Letter can also state the Fixed Deposits (if any) held by the sponsor. Not all countries accept FD amounts, so students must check the individual financial documents that are acceptable as proof of funds for their respective countries.

Download the guide on this page for a sample format for Bank Letter.

6. Loan Capability Certificate

This is a bit different from a Loan Approval Letter and is often asked by universities in the USA at the time of admission, without which they would not issue I-20s (in case you have suggested you would require a loan to fulfil the fund requisites.) This document, as the name suggests, is a “Capability Certificate”, given by banks / financial institutions which suggests that they would be willing to provide a loan to the student should he get admitted to the University Abroad. Here is an example template of the same:

Again, things the Loan Capability Certificate should include the following things clearly,

• Name of the student

• Willingness and the prima facie promise of the bank to grant a loan

• Amount of the loan eligibility

• Again, it should be on the bank’s letterhead, duly signed and stamped

Download the guide on this page for a sample format for the Loan Capability Certificate.

7. CA Certificate

Some countries also require what is commonly referred to as a CA Certificate. Prepared by a certified CA, the document specifies the actual assets and liabilities held by the student/ sponsor. This essentially includes the current assets (like a bank balance, fixed deposits, shares, bonds, etc.) and fixed assets (land, property, gold, etc., with an estimated value of the same). The document must be signed and stamped by the CA. Again, there is no fixed format, and the CAs usually have their own formats.

Download the guide on this page for a sample format CA Certificate.

8. Property Evaluation Report

This is more common for Australian and New Zealand Visas. If a student has applied for a Student Loan and the same was procured against property, the student must also attach a Property Evaluation Report alongside the Loan Approval Letter. This is a comprehensive report prepared by a competent authority (the bank/ financial institution in case of a student loan). Here is what all the Property Evaluation Report usually includes

• Property pictures

• Size of the property and specifications

• Ownership proof of the property being evaluated

Banks have their formats, and you need not worry about the same. A simple mention of the same to the lending institution would suffice. CAs can prepare the same for this at times.

9. GPF/ EPF Statement confirming the ability to withdraw

Many countries also accept the funds in your/ parent/guardian’s Provident Fund Account. These are official statements issued by the Provident Fund Disbursing Authority, clearly stating the number of funds available in the account and the ability to withdraw. If there is a variation in the amount the person can withdraw, the letter should mention the amount that can be withdrawn. Here are the things you should keep in mind

• The statement should be on the Provident Fund Disbursing Authority’s Official Letterhead.

• It should specify the name of the employee/ account holder and the student's name. Since the document is only valid if it is a parent, the relationship should also be mentioned.

• It should specify the total amount available along with the withdrawable limits.

• The letter should clearly state that the withdrawals are “non-refundable/ permanent” in nature.

• The name and contact details of the signing authority, along with the stamp, should also be mentioned.

Download the guide on this page for a sample format for PF Letter.

10. Tax Details

Submission of tax details is equally important for financial evidence for student visa abroad. The reason is that tax returns show the financial capability of the applicant or his/her family. Plus, through tax returns, the admission committees can easily assess if applicants can sustain themselves while studying abroad on a student visa. Also, the tax returns will showcase the applicants can take care of their tuition and living costs abroad without much ado. Thus, this is why tax returns are strong financial evidence for student visas abroad. 

Also Read:

This was all about the financial supporting documents for international students aiming to study abroad. In case applicants wish to get more details, they can get in touch with us in the comments below. Those seeking admission-related assistance can sign up for free Shiksha Abroad Counselling, and our team of experts will get back to you.