Costs & Financial Documents

Costs for Scholars and Interns
Costs for Students
Basic Requirements for Financial Documents
Other Requirements per Type of Funding
ISSS Fees

New F-1s and J-1s must submit evidence of financial resources to get an I-20 or DS-2019 from International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS). Current F-1s and J-1s may also be required to submit updated proof of financial resources as part of certain requests submitted to ISSS.

If you are applying for a U.S. visa, ISSS recommends you bring financial documents dated within the past 6 months to your visa interview.

If you are submitting an application to U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), ISSS recommends you use financial documents dated within the past 3 months for your application to USCIS.

Cost for Scholars and Interns

You are required to show sufficient funds for the entire duration of your J-1 program. While you may use personal funds or funds from friends and family as evidence, you must submit other types of funding if you’re requesting a DS-2019 longer than 12 months.

The amounts you must show are as follows:

J-1 scholar or student intern: $2000 per month
J-2 spouse: $550 per month
J-2 child: $300 per month for each child

Costs for Students

F-1s: You must show at least one year’s worth of funding for the estimated cost of your program. If you have dependents, you must also show enough funding for each dependent.

J-1s: The length of your DS-2019 is based on the amount of funding you show. If a J-1 student is unable to show sufficient funding for the full-length of the program, they can show funding for their first year and then request an extension of their DS-2019 later.

Costs for F-2 and J-2 Dependents will depend on the length of time left in your program.

ISSS is in the process of transitioning to the Fall 2024 Estimated Cost of Attendance.

If do not have an I-20 or DS-2019 issued by ISSS and need to request one, then the correct Estimated Cost of Attendance for you will be determined by the academic term for which your TAMU I-20 or DS-2019 will begin.

If you are requesting an initial or transfer I-20 or DS-2019 for Spring 2024 or Summer 2024 term, you should use the Spring 2024 & Summer 2024 Estimated Cost of Attendance.
If you are requesting an initial or transfer I-20 or DS-2019 for Fall 2024 term, you must use the Fall 2024 Estimated Cost of Attendance.

If you already have an I-20 or Ds-2019 issued by ISSS, you do not need to submit updated financial documentation to ISSS unless you are submitting a request in the ISSS Portal that indicates financial documentation is required. If you are submitting a request that requires financial documentation, then the correct Estimated Cost of Attendance for you will be determined by the academic term for which the requested change(s) will take effect.

If you are requesting a change to your I-20 or DS-2019 that will be effective during Spring 2024 or Summer 2024 term, you should use the Spring 2024 & Summer 2024 Estimated Cost of Attendance.
If you are requesting a change to your I-20 or DS-2019 that will be effective during Fall 2024 term, you must use the Fall 2024 Estimated Cost of Attendance.

About ISSS Estimated Cost of Attendance

Solely for the purpose of I-20 and DS-2019 issuance, ISSS collects cost of attendance data from both Scholarships & Financial Aid as well as Student Business Services to calculate an estimated cost of attendance for all academic programs. The amounts listed on this webpage are ESTIMATES FOR I-20/DS-2019 ISSUANCE ONLY. Please note that your actual cost of attendance may be higher or lower than the estimated amounts for several reasons, including but not limited to, your course selections, specific program fees, and optional costs. ISSS estimated cost of attendance includes the nonresident rate for tuition and fees as well as both the ISSS fee and the health insurance fee. These estimates are subject to change without notice.

Health Insurance

All international students attending Texas A&M in F-1/J-1 status are required to be covered under the Texas A&M University System Student Health Insurance Plan (SSHIP) or have equivalent insurance coverage. The plan is automatically charged to each F-1 and J-1 international student’s tuition and fee statement. The estimated cost of attendance for one year includes the cost of insurance for 12 months. All new international students enrolling for Fall semester are charged a one-time ‘Mandatory First Time On Campus Arrival’ fee and all new international students enrolling for Summer term are charged a Summer term fee. These amounts are not included in all estimates provided below. For additional information about the health insurance costs and how to apply for a waiver, please visit the Health Insurance section of our website.

F-2/J-2 Dependents

The “Student Total” in the tables below DO NOT include the cost of F-2 and J-2 dependents. An additional amount must be added to the “Student Only” total for each F-2 or J-2 dependent that will accompany the F-1 or J-1 student. The amount that should be added for each F-2 or J-2 dependent is included on each of the Estimated Cost of Attendance Tables provided below. 

Spring & Summer 2024 Estimated Cost of Attendance for Students

Spring 2024 & Summer 2024 Estimated Cost of Attendance Tables 

Below you will find the Spring 2024 & Summer 2024 Estimated Cost of Attendance for Students. Use these tables if the following applies to you:

You are requesting an initial or transfer I-20 or DS-2019 for Spring 2024 or Summer 2024 term.
You are requesting a change to your I-20 or DS-2019 that will be effective during Spring 2024 or Summer 2024 term.

One Year Beginning Spring   - Summer Enrollment NOT Required: Includes the estimated cost of tuition and fees for two major semesters (Fall & Spring) plus the estimated cost of health insurance and living expenses for one year – 12 months.

One Year Beginning Summer  ‐   Summer Enrollment IS Required: This table is only applicable to students who are beginning a new academic program or a new F-1 or J-1 status in the Summer term. It includes the estimated cost of tuition and fees for Summer, Fall, and Spring plus the estimated cost of health insurance and living expenses for one year – 12 months.

One Spring Term: Includes the estimated cost of tuition and fees for one major semester (Fall or Spring) plus the estimated cost of health insurance and living expenses for one major semester (Fall or Spring) – 4.5 months.

One Summer Term:  Includes the estimated cost of tuition and fees for one Summer term plus the estimated cost of health insurance and living expenses for one Summer term – 3 months.

Exchange Students Only: These costs only apply to incoming F-1 and J-1 exchange students who are coming to TAMU through the Education Abroad office.

Fall 2024 Estimated Cost of Attendance for Students

Fall 2024 Estimated Cost of Attendance Tables

Below you will find the Fall 2024 Estimated Cost of Attendance for Students. Use these tables if the following applies to you:

You are requesting an initial or transfer I-20 or DS-2019 for Fall 2024 term.
You are requesting a change to your I-20 or DS-2019 that will be effective during Fall 2024 term.

One Year Beginning Fall - Summer Enrollment NOT Required: Includes the estimated cost of tuition and fees for two major semesters (Fall & Spring) plus the estimated cost of health insurance and living expenses for one year – 12 months.

Two Major Semesters Only (Fall + Spring)  ‐  No Summer Included: Includes the estimated cost of tuition and fees for two major semesters (Fall & Spring) plus the estimated cost of health insurance and living expenses for two major semesters (Fall & Spring) – 9 months. 
One Fall Term: Includes the estimated cost of tuition and fees for one major semester (Fall or Spring) plus the estimated cost of health insurance and living expenses for one major semester (Fall or Spring) – 4.5 months. 
Exchange Students Only: These costs only apply to incoming F-1 and J-1 exchange students who are coming to TAMU through the Education Abroad office.

Basic Requirements for All Financial Documents

ISSS will accept any combination of the types of funding outlined on this webpage: Personal Funding, Third-Party Funding, Texas A&M University Funding, and/or Sponsored Funding. The submitted documents cannot contain a Social Security Number (SSN).

All documents submitted must be official/legitimate and scanned copies must be clear and legible.

Basic Requirements

Dated within the last 6 months from the date the document is reviewed by ISSS
Printed on official company letterhead or stationery - This requirement applies to Texas A&M University funding as well.
Must clearly identify the document source (i.e. a monthly mailed statement, an online statement, a statement by request, etc.)
Must be liquid assets
Type of currency must be clearly stated
- Currency doesn’t have to be in USD
- ISSS will use the XE converter for foreign currencies
Must contain the following information in English
- Name of the Account Holder(s)
- Current Balance (within the last 6 months) including type of currency
- Name of the Financial institution

Please be advised that if the above minimum requirements are not met, ISSS will not accept the financial document.

Other Requirements per Type of Funding

Personal Funds

Third Party Funds

Texas A&M University Funding

ISSS Fees

ISSS will charge for different fees during your program and for certain applications

J-1 Scholar Operational Fee (not for enrolled students)

ISSS charges a $350 one-time operational fee to support the services our office provides to support J-1 exchange visitors who are employed, conducting research, and/or interning at Texas A&M University. This fee does not apply to enrolled international students. The J-1 Scholar Operational Fee is charged at the time of Form DS-2019 issuance. Payment options will be communicated directly to the J-1 exchange visitor and hosting department.

International Student Orientation Fee

This $70 one-time fee is charged to cover the cost of resources for newly admitted students who are not U.S. Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents. This fee is added to the tuition and fee bill of newly admitted international students during their first semester of enrollment at Texas A&M. International students who were not enrolled for at least one major semester and resume studies at Texas A&M will be charged the fee again upon re-enrollment. International students attending Texas A&M for 1 or 2 semesters as part of an approved exchange program coordinated through Education Abroad are exempt from paying this $70 one-time fee.

International Student Services Fee

Through Summer 2024: This $85 per semester fee is required of all enrolled students who are not U.S. Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents to support the specialized services provided to international students by 3 Texas A&M University offices. Out of this $85 per semester fee, $66.30 goes to International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS), $14.45 goes to the Center for Teaching Excellence, and $4.25 goes to the University Writing Center. International students attending Texas A&M for 1 or 2 semesters as part of an approved exchange program coordinated through Education Abroad are exempt from paying this $85 per semester fee.

Effective Fall 2024: This $150 per semester fee is required of all enrolled students who are not U.S. Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents to support the specialized services provided to international students by 3 Texas A&M University offices. Out of this $150 per semester fee, $124.50 goes to International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS), $18.00 goes to the Center for Teaching Excellence, and $7.50 goes to the University Writing Center. International students attending Texas A&M for 1 or 2 semesters as part of an approved exchange program coordinated through Education Abroad are exempt from paying this $150 per semester fee.

International Student Administrative Fee

This $415 per semester fee is required of all enrolled sponsored students who are not U.S. Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents and whose tuition and fee payments are coordinated through Specialized Student Billing, unless this fee is waived as part of negotiated contractual agreements. This fee supports the added complexity of third-party billing and helps fund support services for international sponsored students. Out of this $415 per semester fee, $314.99 goes to International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) and $100.01 goes to Student Business Services (SBS).

Post Enrollment Maintenance Fee

This three-tiered fee ($200, $400, or $600) is required of F-1 students who are applying for Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) and the 24-month STEM Extension of OPT as well as J-1 students who are applying for Academic Training that will occur post-completion of studies. Within the applicable immigration requests, the student will be required to upload evidence that they have paid the required fee. This fee only applies to new or extended authorization requests for Post-Completion OPT, STEM OPT, and Post-Completion Academic Training. More information about this fee can be found here.

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