Graduate Students

The I-20 or DS-2019

The I-20 or DS-2019 is a certificate of eligibility issued by Miami University, which allows you to apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa. It is not a financial guarantee. In order to issue an I-20 or DS-2019, we are required by law to verify that you have enough funds for one year of expenses (for F-1 students) or for your entire program (for J-1 students). It is our expectation that any documentation of personal or family funds that you provided represents liquid funds that will be available to you to cover your expenses while studying at Miami University. Note that the expenses listed are estimates and may vary depending on each student’s situation as well as changes in tuition and fee rates from year to year.

Expenses

Tuition and Fees

The figures in the charts above include the current amount of tuition and required fees for graduate-level study at Miami University. With the exception of Market-Driven programs, the tuition estimates are based on 9 credits of study per semester, which is considered full-time, and if you enroll in more than 9 credits, your fees will be higher. Fees for Market-Driven programs are based on required enrollment for that program, which may exceed 9 credits per semester and will be noted on your I-20.

Graduate Assistantships do not cover the full amount of tuition and fees and there are additional fees beyond those mentioned on your Graduate Assistantship contract. If you were granted a Graduate Assistantship, check your contract to see the percentage of which fees are covered.

View the full list of fees

Living Expenses

This includes an estimate of the total cost of rent, utilities, food, books, and other miscellaneous expenses for one year. Please note that it is only an estimate and will vary greatly depending on the apartment you choose as well as your lifestyle (how much you dine out versus cook at home, etc.).

Dependents

If you are bringing dependents (a spouse and/or children) with you to the United States, we have included an estimate of their living expenses as well. 

Review Dependent Costs

Health Insurance

The amount listed is the current amount of the required university health insurance for students. Note that this amount changes from year to year. In addition, be aware that this cost will appear on your Miami bill in the fall and spring semesters and you will be required to pay the full amount billed at that time. It cannot be divided into monthly payments throughout the year.

Graduate Assistantships

Please review your Graduate Assistantship contract to determine what is provided. Your department admission offer is not your graduate assistantship contract. An example of a Graduate Assistantship contract is provided below. If you have not received this document, please confirm that your graduate department has submitted your assistantship nomination for approval to Academic Personnel. Once your nomination is approved, your contract will be sent to your Miami email.

On the I-20, we have listed the total amount of your Graduate Assistantship package – including the tuition and fee waiver as well as the stipend. The amount listed is NOT the amount you will receive in hand. You will only receive the amount (minus taxes) listed as a stipend on your Graduate Assistantship contract. This stipend will be divided into 10 monthly payments from August through May (for students beginning in Fall semester). Note, however, that the August and May payments will be partial payments. You will receive 1/9 of your stipend from September through April, but the ninth payment will be divided between August and May. Therefore, you will not receive your first full monthly stipend payment until September.

Be aware that taxes will be deducted from your paycheck each month, further reducing the amount you will receive.

Plan for Your Expenses

All students should plan to have some personal funds available in August and September even if personal funds were not required for issuing the I-20. There will be several significant costs at the beginning of your program, such as a deposit on your apartment in addition to your first month’s rent, as well as your health insurance. You must be prepared to pay for these expenses, even if you hold a Graduate Assistantship, since you will not begin receiving your full Graduate Assistantship stipend payment until the end of September.