One must obtain a visa (most likely an F-1 student visa) to enter the United States as a law student. Before soliciting an F-1 visa, each student must obtain an I-20 Form from the University of Miami Office of International Admissions. Please keep in mind that receipt of an I-20 Form does not guarantee that a visa will be issued. The discretion to issue a visa rests with the United States government (through the US Citizenship and Immigration Services and Consulates). Moreover, a student who is issued a visa may be denied entry into this country. Access more detailed information at: https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en.html.
To obtain the I-20 Form, it is required a student demonstrate that he or she has sufficient funds to provide for the educational and personal expenses incurred during one year of study in the United States (estimated total cost is found on the Statement of Financial Responsibility form). Completion of the Statement of Financial Responsibility, and providing a bank letter confirming that the applicant, sponsor, or family has sufficient funds available to defray the applicant’s educational and living expenses is required. The bank verification letter must be in English and must state the amount of funds available in US currency. Moreover, the bank verification letter must be dated within six months of the start of the academic year. Thus, Miami Law cannot accept bank letters dated prior to March. This is the form from last year, and a new one will not be ready until the budget is out – which will be later in March.
For scholarship recipients from the University of Miami, submission of a bank letter confirming sufficient funds to cover living expenses and any portion of educational expenses not covered by the University of Miami scholarship is required. Since it usually takes a minimum of two weeks to receive the I-20 Form, Miami Law encourages students to submit the Statement of Financial Responsibility and bank verification letter as soon as possible after March and no later than two months before enrollment.
For scholarship recipients from an entity other than the University of Miami, the scholarship letter can replace the bank letter. If, however, the scholarship is a partial scholarship only, then submission of a bank letter confirming the applicant has sufficient funds to cover all educational and living expenses not covered by the scholarship is required.
