Obtaining Your Immigration Document To Study In The United States
The I-20 is a United States Department of Homeland Security document issued by SEVP-certified schools that provides supporting information on a student's immigration status. Admitted students attending a university in the United States need this form to pay the required I-901 SEVIS fee, apply for a visa, and enter the United States.
International applicants who have received an official letter of acceptance are ready to begin the I-20 process.
I-20 Request Process
All admitted students will receive an email from admission@fit.edu within 10 days of admission. Look for the subject line: "Your Next Step - Start the I-20 Process"
Only admitted students who have demonstrated English proficiency and confirmed their intent to enroll by paying the $300 non-refundable tuition deposit can begin working on their I-20 document. To pay your tuition deposit, go to the Admitted Student Portal. You will use your Application Status credentials to log in.
Information about obtaining the I-20 is sent to the email address you used to apply to Florida Tech and contains your link to the I-20 Request Form located in your Admitted Student Portal.
This form will ask you to provide information such as passport details, dependent information (if applicable), sponsorship information (if applicable), and financial details. You will also be able to upload any required supporting documentation.
Please provide a Bank Letter or Bank Statement showing sufficient funding for Cost of Attendance for one academic year. If you were offered a partial academic merit scholarship, please remember to deduct it from the total.
Cost of Attendance is a combination of direct university costs and indirect costs such as tuition, fees, room & board, books and expected personal expenses.
Undergraduate Cost Of Attendance (Based On Major)
- Engineering and Science = $63,720
- Business, Liberal Arts, Psychology, Aviation (non-flight) = $60,640
- Aviation (with flight) = $82,640
Graduate Cost Of Attendance (Based On Program)
- Business = $35,908
- Engineering, Science, Liberal Arts, Psychology, Aviation = $42,640
Once we receive your completed form and supporting documents, Florida Tech will start processing your I-20 document.
Please note: Florida Tech is unable to issue you an I-20 document if your passport is expired.
Getting Your I-20 Document Delivered To You:
Florida Tech will send you your official I-20 electronically as a .pdf attachment to an email. You can download the copy and use it for your US Embassy appointment. This is the preferred method to send your I-20.
If you cannot receive an electronic copy of your I-20, Florida Tech will utilize eShipGlobal to securely deliver your I-20 document to you. When your document is ready to ship, you will receive an email with a unique link from admission@fit.edu to the email address you used to apply to Florida Tech. You will need to initiate the shipment by clicking the link, selecting your carrier, and prepay for delivery.
Students who are transferring from another school in the United States may have the option to pick up their I-20 document in person on campus. Transfer students must notify the proper office at your current school of your intent to transfer to Florida Tech as soon as possible. Be prepared to provide them with a copy of your Florida Tech admission letter.
Deadline
Your completed I-20 student request form and all required documents must be received no later than 45 days prior to the beginning of the term of attendance. This will help ensure you can receive your I-20 document on time to schedule your F-1 visa appointment at the United States Embassy. You must have the I-20 document from Florida Tech with you at your visa appointment.
Please note: Florida Tech policy states that students are required to attend the university for one full semester if they enter the United States on an I-20 issued by Florida Institute of Technology. We will not release a student to another school until he or she completes one full semester of attendance. There are no exceptions to this policy.
After Receiving Your I-20
Upon receipt of your I-20, make an appointment with the U.S. embassy or consultate responsible for issuing nonimmigrant visas for your home country. This is the first step toward obtaining your visa.
Schedule Your Visa Appointment ASAP
Depending on your location, wait times for an appointment to obtain your student visa can take from up to 2 weeks to 11 months. To view your appointment wait times and schedule your appointment, please visit Travel.State.Gov. If you are unable to secure an embassy appointment, you may have to be reevaluated for a future term.