2021 BERKLEE SUMMER PROGRAMS INTERNATIONAL STUDENT I-20 REQUEST PACKET

CONTACT TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE NUMBER

BERKLEE SUMMER INTERNATIONAL

I-20 Request Packet Checklist……………………………………….2
Email (Preferred) | [email protected]
Phone | 617-747-2245 International Student Information Form………….………………..3
Financial Information for F-1 Students……………………………..4
Acceptable Proof of Funding………………………………………..5
Funding Worksheet for F-1 Students……………………………….6
Sponsor’s Letter: Statement of Financial Support………………..7
Dependent I-20 Information Form……………………………….…8

WHO NEEDS AN F-1 STUDENT VISA?

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires any student who is not a U.S. citizen participating in the Aspire: Five-
Week Music Performance Intensive to enter the U.S. in F-1 status. In order to do this, you will first need to obtain an I-20 from
Berklee and then an F-1 student visa from the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. These documents together will
allow you to enter the U.S. in F-1 status.

Do not enter the U.S. on a tourist visa or ESTA visa waiver to participate in this program. You will be ineligible to attend
until you are admitted in F-1 status, and you may need to exit and re-enter the U.S. to obtain the proper status. Berklee
assumes no responsibility, financial or otherwise, for additional travel or accommodations that may be required due to
entry in the incorrect visa status. Any registrant who fails to obtain F-1 status will be withdrawn from the program, and a
refund will be issued in strict adherence with our withdrawal policy.

All registrants, including registrants from a previous year’s program, must apply for a Form I-20 from Berklee. If you received an
F-1 student visa in the past, entered the U.S. with this visa, and your visa has not expired, you may travel with your existing visa.
Read about the U.S. Department of State's visa application recommendations: travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/
study/student-visa.html.

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Complete your Five-Week registration at berklee.edu/apply. Be sure to provide a valid email address because this is how we
will contact you.

2. Read this entire packet carefully before filling out any of the forms. This packet is designed to walk you step by step through
understanding and completing the I-20 application process.

3. Complete all required forms in the I-20 Request Packet.

4. Gather all required financial documents, such as bank statements, as indicated on the Funding Worksheet.

5. Submit your complete I-20 Request Packet via email to [email protected]. We will review your documents and
contact you by email if any additional information is required.

6. Receive your I-20 in the mail. Your I-20 will be shipped to the mailing address you provide on the International Student
Information Form.

7. Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee online. You need your I-20 to pay the SEVIS fee; do not attempt to pay the SEVIS fee until you receive
your I-20.

8. Schedule your F-1 visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country.

Citizens of Canada or Bermuda are not required to apply for an F-1 visa. Upon arriving at the U.S. port of entry, you will need to
present your passport, I-20, SEVIS fee payment receipt, and supporting financial documentation in order to be admitted to the
U.S. in F-1 status.
1 | I-20 REQUEST PACKET INTERNATIONAL STUDENT I-20 REQUEST PACKET
I-20 REQUEST PACKET CHECKLIST

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Use this checklist to ensure that you have obtained all required documents for your I-20 request.

2. Once you have all of your required documents, scan or take a clear photo of each document and
email the complete package to [email protected].

REQUIRED FOR ALL STUDENTS:

☐1) International Student Information Form, completed (page 3)

☐2) Copy of the biographical page(s) of your passport, showing photo, personal information, and expiration date

☐3) Funding Worksheet for F-1 Students, completed (page 6)

• Your total available funds must be equal to or greater than your total expenses

☐4) Corresponding bank letter/statement or award letter for each funding source indicated on the funding worksheet

☐5) Statement of Financial Support (page 7) completed by each sponsor indicated on the Funding Worksheet

☐6) Required only for students with dependents who will live with them in the U.S.:
Dependent Information Form, completed (page 8)

For an accompanying dependent spouse, also submit:

☐(a) Copy of your marriage certificate (with a word-for-word translation if it is not already in English)
☐(b) Copy of the biographical page of your spouse’s passport
For each accompanying dependent child, also submit:
☐(a) Copy of your child’s birth certificate (with a word-for-word translation if it is not already in English)
☐(b) Copy of the biographical page of your child’s passport

2 | I-20 REQUEST PACKET I-20 REQUEST PACKET CHECKLIST

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT INFORMATION FORM

PASSPORT INFORMATION
Write your information exactly as it appears in your passport.
Also complete the Dependent Information Form on page 8 if you have dependents who will accompany you to the U.S.

FAMILY (LAST) NAME: GIVEN (FIRST) NAME(S):

DATE OF BIRTH: SEX: ☐ MALE ☐ FEMALE

MONTH DAY YEAR

COUNTRY OF CITIZENSHIP: COUNTRY OF BIRTH:

DEPENDENTS WHO WILL LIVE WITH YOU IN THE U.S.: CITY OF BIRTH:
☐ NONE ☐ SPOUSE ☐ CHILDREN:
Note that only a student’s spouse and/or unmarried children can be
considered dependents. Parents of students are not eligible.

ADDITIONAL STUDENT INFORMATION

BERKLEE ID NUMBER:
Your Berklee ID can be found in your application portal account under “Next Steps.”


PERMANENT ADDRESS MAILING ADDRESS FOR I-20

☐ Same as my permanent address
Write in English your permanent home
☐ Different address (write the address below; no P.O. boxes or
address outside of the U.S.
agency addresses)

NAME:

STREET: STREET:

CITY: CITY:

(PROVINCE): (PROVINCE):

COUNTRY: COUNTRY:

POSTAL CODE: POSTAL CODE:

PHONE NUMBER: PHONE NUMBER (if different):

EMAIL: EMAIL (if different):

CURRENT U.S. VISA STATUS

Check the box(es) below that describe your current U.S. visa status:
☐ I am outside the U.S. and need to obtain an F-1 student visa.
☐ I am in the U.S. in F-1 status because I am a current student at another U.S. school.
NAME OF U.S. SCHOOL:

CHECK ONE: ☐ I will return to the above U.S. school in the fall.
☐ I will not return to the above U.S. school in the fall.
☐ I am in the U.S. on another visa type and plan to study on this visa; I do not need immigration documents from Berklee.
VISA TYPE:

3 | I-20 REQUEST PACKET INTERNATIONAL STUDENT INFORMATION FORM

 FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR F-1 STUDENTS

Aspire: Five-Week students are not Use these guidelines and the Funding Worksheet (page 6) to calculate your
eligible to work on campus during expenses and your available funds, and organize your financial documentation
the program, and F-1 visa for submission to Berklee.
regulations do not permit students
to work off campus (this includes 1. Find your program and amount to document in the 2021 Estimate of Expenses
playing gigs). As a result, U.S. for I-20 Issuance chart at the bottom of the page. Write this information on the
federal immigration regulations Funding Worksheet. Use the Funding Worksheet to calculate your expenses and
require that all F-1 visa applicants your available funds, and track your financial documentation before you submit
prove that they have enough funds this packet to Berklee.
for the total estimated cost of
2. Determine the source of your funds. Typically, students have the following
attending Aspire: Five-Week and
funding sources: a Berklee scholarship, personal funds, family funds, or private/
living in Boston for one month. The
total estimated cost includes both government scholarships.
direct expenses like tuition and 3. Collect proof of funding. You will need to provide letters and statements that
fees, and indirect expenses such as prove that you and/or your sponsors have the necessary funds to support the
standard estimates for housing and cost of attending the Aspire: Five-Week Music Performance Intensive.
meals. This is an estimate–actual
expenses may vary depending on Required documentation for each type of funding is as follows:
the student’s time of registration, BERKLEE SCHOLARSHIP
choice of housing, and lifestyle. • Submit a copy of your award letter.

In order for Berklee to issue an I-20, PERSONAL FUNDS

students are required to submit • Submit a current letter from your bank (see page 5 for an example of an
documentation to the institution acceptable bank letter).
proving access to a minimum FUNDS FROM FAMILY OR OTHER PRIVATE SPONSOR
amo un t of fu nding fo r t hei r
• Submit a current letter from each sponsor’s bank.
program, listed in the chart below.
• Submit a Statement of Financial Support (page 6) signed by each sponsor.
The proof and amount that you
document and submit to Berklee GOVERNMENT OR INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION
will be noted on your I-20, and you • Submit a letter from the government/organization on their official
will need to present the same letterhead.
documentation at your F-1 visa • The letter must be signed by an authorized representative, detail the terms
interview. of your award, and include the exact total amount of your award.

Note: Aspire: Five-Week students RECEIPT OF FULL PAYMENT

are expected to bring an additional • Submit proof of your fully paid bill for the upcoming program. Email the
$50 to the program to purchase the Office of Student Accounts at [email protected] to request
necessary books and supplies. that the confirmation and amount of your payment be sent to
[email protected].
4. Submit all documents to [email protected] with your I-20
packet. You must allow enough time for processing your I-20 request, shipping
the documents to you, and obtaining your F-1 visa (if needed). You must arrive in
Boston in time for the first day of check-in and orientation on July 10, 2021.

2021 ESTIMATE OF EXPENSES FOR I-20 ISSUANCE

BERKLEE SUMMER PROGRAMS
PROGRAM AMOUNT TO DOCUMENT

Aspire: Five-Week Music Performance Intensive* $ 9,150

DEPENDENT EXPENSES
Dependent Spouse $ 900
Dependent Child (amount per child) $ 900

*Note: Even if you are living off campus, you are required to show available
funding for the full estimated program cost ($9,150).

4 | I-20 REQUEST PACKET FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS FOR F-1 STUDENTS

 ACCEPTABLE PROOF OF FUNDING The financial documentation requirements defined here for
I-20 issuance are the same as those established by the U.S.
Department of State for granting an F-1 visa. Be sure to keep
your original documentation to present during your F-1 visa
interview.

ACCEPTABLE BANK LETTER

For I-20 purposes, a letter issued by a bank must meet

the criteria listed below. The red numbers on the letter
correspond with one of the required elements listed
here:

1) Printed on official bank stationery

2) Issue date: within nine months of the student’s I-20 request

3) Name of account holder

4) Type of account

5) Account number

6) Exact current available balance

7) Type of currency

8) Statement that funds are current and liquid

9) Signature of a bank official

10) Bank stamp

11) Letter written in English

If you do not wish to disclose the exact balance in the account:

• The letter can state, “The current available balance is greater than <minimum amount required><currency>.”

If the bank letter/statement is not in English:

• Provide a word-for-word translation to accompany the original-language document.
• It does not have to be an official translation. You can complete the word-for-word translation yourself.

If the bank letter/statement is for an account held by a business or corporation:

• Provide proof that you and/or your sponsor are permitted to withdraw money from the account. Proof can be in the form of an
additional statement on the letter or a separate document showing ownership of the business.

NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR I-20 PURPOSES:

• Any document that is dated more than nine months prior to your I-20 request
• Screenshots or a printout of an online account taken directly from the browser window (a PDF version of a monthly statement
downloaded from an online account may be acceptable)
• Investment accounts: stocks, lines of credit, bonds, or any other type of investment funds
• Statements of value for property, land, houses, apartments, or other assets
• Salary, wage, or income statements; tax forms or insurance policies

5 | I-20 REQUEST PACKET ACCEPTABLE PROOF OF FUNDING

FUNDING WORKSHEET FOR F-1 STUDENTS

STUDENT NAME: BERKLEE ID NUMBER:

EXPENSES FOR ASPIRE: FIVE-WEEK MUSIC PERFORMANCE INTENSIVE

Instructions: Refer to the pages titled Financial Information for F-1 Students (page 4) and Acceptable Proof of Funding (page 5) to
complete this form.

EXPENSE TYPE AMOUNT

Costs correspond with the Amount to Document column
MY PROGRAM: Aspire: Five-Week Music Performance Intensive $ $9,150 from the table on page 4.

DEPENDENT EXPENSES:

☐ SPOUSE: $900 $

☐ CHILDREN: number of children x $900 $

This is the minimum amount
$ TOTAL EXPENSES you are required to document
in order to be issued an I-20.

MY AVAILABLE FUNDS
Instructions: Check the box next to each funding type that you have, and write the amount on the line provided. When you receive the
required documentation for each of your sources, check off the corresponding box in the Documentation column. Guidelines for required
documentation can be found on pages 4 and 5.

FUNDING TYPE AMOUNT DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

☐ BERKLEE SCHOLARSHIP $ ☐ award letter

☐ MY OWN PERSONAL FUNDS $ ☐ bank letter
☐ FUNDS FROM MY FAMILY
FAMILY MEMBER’S NAME: $ ☐ bank letter ☐ Statement of Financial Support
RELATIONSHIP TO ME:

FAMILY MEMBER’S NAME: $ ☐ bank letter ☐ Statement of Financial Support

RELATIONSHIP TO ME:

FAMILY MEMBER’S NAME: $ ☐ bank letter ☐ Statement of Financial Support

RELATIONSHIP TO ME:

☐ FUNDS FROM OTHER SPONSOR OR GOVERNMENT AGENCY

SPONSOR/AGENCY NAME: $ ☐ official letter
SPONSOR/AGENCY NAME: $ ☐ official letter
SPONSOR/AGENCY NAME: $ ☐ official letter

$ MY TOTAL AVAILABLE FUNDS

Your total available funds must be equal to or

greater than your total expenses listed above.

STUDENT STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

By signing below, I certify that all bank statements, sponsor letters, and all other financial documentation I have included with my I-20
application are accurate, and the funds described in these documents are available to me for my studies at Berklee.

STUDENT SIGNATURE: DATE:

6 | I-20 REQUEST PACKET FUNDING WORKSHEET FOR F-1 STUDENTS

SPONSOR’S LETTER: STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT

This form should be completed by any sponsor who is a family member or private sponsor (such as a friend or other unrelated
individual). Make additional copies of this form if necessary.

If your mother and father are sponsoring you using a joint account, only one parent needs to complete a Statement of
Financial Support.

Type to enter text

STUDENT NAME: BERKLEE ID NUMBER:

SPONSOR INFORMATION

NAME: SPONSOR’S RELATIONSHIP TO STUDENT

ADDRESS: ☐ MOTHER / FATHER ☐ SPOUSE ☐ OTHER FAMILY

☐ PRIVATE SPONSOR

CITY: SPONSORSHIP AMOUNT (in USD)

Please check only one of the boxes below.
(PROVINCE):
Fullamount
☐ Full amount($9,050)
($9,150)for
forstudent’s
student’sacademic
academicprogram
program
COUNTRY: as listed on the Estimate of Expenses

POSTAL CODE:

PHONE NUMBER: ☐ At least $ USD

EMAIL:

I hereby pledge to provide financial support to the above-named student to cover the educational and living expenses of their
studies at Berklee College of Music in the United States. Attached is a letter from my bank/bank statement indicating that I have
sufficient funds for this purpose.

SPONSOR SIGNATURE: DATE:

7 | I-20 REQUEST PACKET SPONSOR’S LETTER

 DEPENDENT INFORMATION FORM This form should be completed only if a student’s spouse
and/or unmarried child(ren) will live with them in the U.S.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR DEPENDENTS during their studies. Parents of Aspire: Five-Week students
In addition to this completed form, you must submit: are not eligible for an F-2 visa and must apply independently
for a B-1/B-2 visa to gain entry to the U.S.
SPOUSE: ☐ Copy of the marriage certificate
☐ Copy of the biographical page of the passport NOTE
☐ Documented funding that meets or exceeds the If the marriage certificate/birth certificate is not in English:
amount required for the student’s academic • Provide a word-for-word translation to accompany the original-
program + $900 language document.
EACH • An official translation is not required. You can complete the

CHILD: ☐ Copy of the child’s birth certificate word-for-word translation yourself.

☐ Copy of the biographical page of the passport
Upon receipt of all required documentation, dependent I-20s
☐ Documented funding that meets or exceeds the
will be issued and shipped with the student’s I-20. Dependents
amount required for the student’s academic
must then apply for an F-2 visa to enter the U.S.
program + $900 per child

DEPENDENT PASSPORT INFORMATION

Indicate each dependent’s relationship to the student, and write in STUDENT NAME:
their information below exactly as it appears in their passport.

DEPENDENT No. 1 DEPENDENT No. 2

RELATIONSHIP TO STUDENT: ☐ HUSBAND ☐ WIFE RELATIONSHIP TO STUDENT: ☐ SON ☐ DAUGHTER

☐ SON ☐ DAUGHTER
FAMILY NAME: FAMILY NAME:

GIVEN NAME(S): GIVEN NAME(S):

DATE OF BIRTH: DATE OF BIRTH:

month day year month day year

SEX: ☐ MALE ☐ FEMALE SEX: ☐ MALE ☐ FEMALE

CITY & COUNTRY OF BIRTH: CITY & COUNTRY OF BIRTH:

COUNTRY OF CITIZENSHIP: COUNTRY OF CITIZENSHIP:

DEPENDENT No. 3 DEPENDENT No. 4

RELATIONSHIP TO STUDENT: ☐ SON ☐ DAUGHTER RELATIONSHIP TO STUDENT: ☐ SON ☐ DAUGHTER
FAMILY NAME: FAMILY NAME:

GIVEN NAME(S): GIVEN NAME(S):

DATE OF BIRTH: DATE OF BIRTH:

month day year month day year

SEX: ☐ MALE ☐ FEMALE SEX: ☐ MALE ☐ FEMALE

CITY & COUNTRY OF BIRTH: CITY & COUNTRY OF BIRTH:

COUNTRY OF CITIZENSHIP: COUNTRY OF CITIZENSHIP:

8 | I-20 REQUEST PACKET INFORMATION FORM FOR DEPENDENTS