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Financial Ability Requirement
To issue I-20, UWT must obtain reliable documentation that students have financial resource adequate to meet expenses while studying at UWT.
The financial ability requirement is met by showing proof of readily accessible and adequate funding to cover tuition and living expenses at least for the first year of study (3 quarters OR 9 months). Students must attest that barring unforeseen circumstances, adequate funding will be available from the same or equally dependable sources for subsequent years.
Pay stubs, tax records, stocks, bonds, proof of property ownership, or compensation letters are not acceptable financial resources.
Students declaring dependents must also show proof of readily accessible and adequate funding to cover living expenses for their dependents.
Examples of Acceptable financial resources:
- your own personal funds
- funds from a family sponsor
- educational loan
- funds from a government or agency sponsor awarding a scholarship
- funds from a UW department awarding a fellowship
- funds from a UW department offering a graduate assistantship
Acceptable documentation for financial resources:
- letter from a bank or a bank statement to include the name of the account holder, name of the bank, and the amount of readily available funds (preferably converted into U.S. dollars but we can refer to current exchange rates)
- educational loan guarantee letter
- letter from a government or agency sponsor to include your name, name of government or agency, terms and amount of scholarship
- letter from a UW department to include your name, name of UW department, terms and amount of fellowship
- letter from a UW department to include your name, name of UW department, type of assistantship (teaching, research, or staff), terms, salary, and benefits of assistantship
Documents to prove access to financial resources needs to be less than 6 months old.
For the academic year 2024-2025, the total cost for non-resident undergraduates is $65,814 (U.S. dollars) and the cost varies for graduate students depending on their program. The following expenses are subject to change without notice:
Estimated Undergraduate International Student Expenses for 2024-2025 Academic Year
| Nine Months of Tuition and Living Expenses | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and fees | $43,404 | |
| Books and Supplies | $900 | |
| Room & Board | $16,371 | |
| Personal Expenses | $2,508 | |
| Transportation | $1,074 | |
| Medical insurance | $1,347 | |
| Int'l Student Programming Fee | $210 | |
| TOTAL | $65,814 | |
Estimated Graduate International Student Expenses for 2024-2025 Academic Year
| Nine Months of Tuition and Living Expenses | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and fees* | $38,142* | |
| Books and Supplies | $825 | |
| Room & Board | $20,859 | |
| Personal Expenses | $2,508 | |
| Transportation | $1,335 | |
| Medical insurance | $1,347 | |
| Int'l Student Programming Fee | $210 | |
| TOTAL | $65,226 | |
*Graduate program tuition and fee used above is Tier IIl level.
Graduate students may use specific program tuitions and fees listed below. For more details, visit this page.
| Non-Tier III Tuition & Fee Programs | |
| MBA | $31,694* |
| MCL (Fee based program) | $16,824** |
| MSAcc (Fee based program) | $24,870** |
| MSBA | $23,136*** |
| Tier II: Comm Plan, Nursing, etc... | $34,323 |
In order to obtain an I-20 for a dependent spouse or child to be in the U.S. in F-2 status, you must show an additional funding. The amount is $7,170 per dependent.
*MBA tuition and fee includes one time $815 program fee
** MCL and MSAcc tuition and fee include approximately $40 quarterly technology fees.
***MSBA tuition and fee includes $400 quarterly course fees.
Estimated expenses are based on figures compiled by the Office of Student Financial Aid and represent modest but adequate costs for most students. Expenses should be expected to increase every year.
Students are strongly encouraged to purchase an annual insurance plan. The cost for an annual insurance plan for 2023-2024 is $1,872.
Tuition is always due on the 3rd Friday of each quarter. To learn about how to make a payment, please refer to a webpage by the UW Tacoma Cashier's Office.
Evidence of Finances when Applying for F-1 Student Visa at U.S. Embassy/ Consulate OR Applying for Change of Status to F-1 with USCIS OR when Seeking admission to the U.S. at a U.S. port of entry.
Please note that U.S. Embassy/Consulate, USCIS or U.S. Customs and Border Protection may have a different standard in verifying the financial ability of applicants.
Prepare documents to show that you currently have the financial means to pay for the course of study and living expenses for your first year of study. You want to show that you have immediate funds available to you to pay for your tuition and living expenses for the first year of study as indicated on your I-20.
- Financial Ability section of Study in the States website (by the U.S. Homeland Security)
- Student Visa section of the U.S. Department of State (under "Additional Documentation May Be Required, it says, "How you will pay all educational, living and travel costs.")
- I-539, Application to Extend/ Change Nonimmigrant Status Instruction by USCIS (under "6. F-1, Academic Student", it says, "submit documentation that demonstrates your ability to pay for your studies and support yourself, and any accompanying dependents family members, while you are in the U.S.".)
Scholarships
UW Tacoma offers some scholarships. Many scholarships are reserved for residents of Washington state. The eligibility requirements vary. Visit Office of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships page.
This is a Financial Aid Resource Page for Undergraduate International Students provided by a professional organization called NAFSA.
