As an international student, you must complete additional time-sensitive requirements to secure your enrollment and initiate visa processes.  U.S. immigration regulations require that international students lawfully document their ability to meet all educational and living expenses while studying in the U.S. before the University can issue visa documents. Please only accept your admission and submit your non-refundable enrollment deposit once you are prepared to submit the required financial documentation to initiate this process. Please also note that all possible institutional funding is awarded at admission. Any award issued to you in your decision letter is final; the Brown School is unable to offer additional scholarship funding after an admission decision has been rendered.

After confirming your intent to enroll and submitting your $200 tuition deposit, you must complete the following steps:

1. Submit the Washington University New International Graduate Student Status Form online.
   This form is required of all new international graduate students and should be completed as soon as possible after confirming intent to enroll and submitting the $200 advance tuition deposit. The status form requires the following information:

• Your Legal Name and Date of Birth
• Your Email Address (please use the same email address on file with the Brown School Office of Admissions)
• Program of study at WashU (select Brown School: Graduate Programs)
• Current U.S. visa status (if applicable, students currently holding an F-1 or other visa status will be required to provide additional information regarding their status)

2. Complete the Washington University Affidavit of Financial Support and submit via email with all required financial documents to brownadmissions@wustl.edu.
   U.S. Immigration regulations require that international students document their ability to meet all educational and living expenses for the first year of their intended study before visa documents can be issued. Carefully review the Affidavit of Financial Support Requirements below and provide this information as soon as possible to initiate visa processes.Once the Brown School receives all required documents, we will provide your information to the Washington University Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) to process and issue your Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status (I-20). This is the government document you will use to apply for F-1 visa status and to enter the U.S.
   
   I-20 processing can take 4 – 6 weeks; we encourage you to submit your documents as soon as possible to allow yourself ample time to initiate the visa process. Incoming international students must make plans to arrive in the U.S. no later than August 18, 2024. If you are currently in the U.S., you must still complete these steps and initiate the necessary procedures for submitting a change of visa status or transfer

The Washington University Affidavit of Financial Support requires you to provide documentation to verify funding for all educational and living expenses for the first year of intended study. The total amount you are required to document for the first year of your program includes tuition and fees, student health insurance, and estimated living expenses*:

Master of Social Work: $74,235 USD

Master of Social Policy: $74,235 USD

Master of Public Health: $68,865 USD

Students must also demonstrate funding for any dependents joining them in the U.S. Add $4,160 USD to your program total for each dependent.

*While each student’s actual living expenses may vary, the estimated annual amount set by Washington University is included in the total program cost above and cannot be modified.

Acceptable Sources of Funding:
Students typically provide proof of funding for their first year from one or more of the following sources of funding:

• Personal Funds
• Sponsor (i.e., family funds, friend, employer)
• Sponsoring Agency (i.e., government or organization)
• Private Loans
• External Grants or Scholarship Awards
• Institutional Funding (i.e., Brown School Scholarship awarded)

Required Documentation:
Students must gather all required documentation and submit attachments via email to brownadmissions@wustl.edu.

1. Copy of your Passport Bio Page
   • If you will bring dependents to the U.S., you must also provide a passport copy for each dependent.
2. Completed Washington University Affidavit of Financial Support with Required Signature(s)
   • If a sponsor is providing funding, the Sponsor Information section must be completed and signed by the sponsoring individual/organization.
   • If more than one sponsor or sponsoring agency is providing funding, please utilize page 2 of the Affidavit of Financial Support for additional sponsor information and signature(s).
3. Proof of Funds from a Financial Institution or Awarding Agency

• Personal funds or funds from a sponsor require a recently issued bank statement showing funds are immediately available. Bank documents must meet the following criteria:
  • Must be an electronic copy or scan of the original document
  • Must include the date of issue within six months
  • Must be in English or include an English translation
  • Must include the account holder’s full name, and the name must match the name of the student or sponsor signing the Affidavit of Financial Support
  • Must include official institutional logo, stamp, seal, or signature
• Private loans require an official loan approval letter stating the loan origination date and amount of funds available.
• External grants or scholarships require an official award letter stating the amount and type of funding awarded.
• Institutional funding provided by Washington University does not require submission of additional documentation; we will utilize the award letter you have been issued. Students who have been awarded institutional funding may deduct two semesters of funding from the required first-year funding amount.Example: You were awarded a $6,000 Brown School Scholarship to be allocated across the duration of your 2-year, 4-semester program ($1,500 per semester). You will deduct $3,000 from your required funding amount for year 1.

Unacceptable Sources of Funding and Financial Documentation:
Real estate holdings, stocks, bonds, investments, salary verification letters, retirement funds, property, life insurance policies, and unapproved loan documents. These funding sources are not accepted because they are not readily available to you or because the value can change.

Save the date! The Brown School will host a required international student orientation August 19 – 20, 2024 prior to the required all new student orientation August 21 – 23. Additional details will be sent to you via email. Incoming international student must arrive in the U.S.  no later than August 18, 2024.

The Brown School recognizes the unique transitions faced by international students studying in the U.S. Our Office of Global Programs and its partners are committed to making the international student experience a positive one, and host a number of programs, events and initiatives to assist and support students during their time at our School and beyond.  Learn more here.

Washington University’s Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) is a centralized resource that offers support to international students throughout their time at the University. OISS services include immigration advising, orientation to the WashU and St. Louis communities, and other programs to help students thrive academically and socially and engage them in U.S. life and culture.  Visit the OISS website to learn more.

What is the Affidavit of Financial Support?
After being admitted and confirming your intent to enroll at the Brown School with a $200 advance tuition deposit, you must submit Washington University’s Affidavit of Financial Support form to demonstrate your ability to fund tuition, fees, and living expenses while studying in the U.S. See the Affidavit of Financial Support Requirements above for required first-year funding amounts for each program and required financial documentation that must accompany the affidavit.

Once the Brown School receives all required documents, we will provide your information to the Washington University Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) to process and issue your Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status (I-20). This is the government document you will use to apply for F-1 visa status and to enter the U.S.

Can I adjust the amount required for “living expenses” if I think I can live in St. Louis for less than the amount listed?
No. Washington University sets the amounts required for living expenses annually based on university averages. While your actual expenses may vary, the amount you are required to demonstrate for the purposes of the Affidavit of Financial Support cannot be modified.

How do I submit the Affidavit of Financial Support?
Submit the Affidavit of Financial Support form with all required signatures and financial documents in an email to brownadmissions@wustl.edu.

When will I receive my I-20?
Once we receive your Affidavit of Financial Support and all of the required documentation showing sufficient funding, it can take up to 4 – 6 weeks for processing. We encourage students to plan ahead and submit required documents as soon as possible to allow ample time for the visa application process.

Once your I-20 has been issued, you will receive an email with instructions for accessing your I-20 document in the OISS portal.

I was admitted to the Master of Public Health program; why does my I-20 show “Environmental Health” as my Program of Study?
Your I-20 document accurately reflects Environmental Health 51.2202 as your Program of Study. Environmental Health 51.2202 is the STEM-designated federal Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code that allows our Master of Public Health students to qualify for an additional two years of Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the U.S. upon completion of degree requirements. Learn more about the F-1 STEM OPT Extension here.

The I-20 shows Environmental Health 51.2202 as the program of study for all incoming MPH students at the Brown School, regardless of the MPH specialization/concentration.

When should I apply for my visa?
Once your I-20 has been issued, you must schedule an appointment with a U.S. embassy or consulate to apply for your F-1 entry visa. Learn more about the visa process here.

When can I arrive?
You must enter the U.S. within a 30-day period of time, based on the dates provided in your I-20. You may not arrive before the ‘Earliest Admission Date’ or after the ‘Program Start Date’ showing on your I-20.

International students coming to the U.S. for Fall 2024 must plan to arrive between July 20 – August 18, 2024. We recommend that students arrive as early as possible within this time frame to settle in prior to the start of the semester. Learn more about planning for your arrival here.

Can I request a late arrival?
International students must plan to arrive in the U.S. no later than August 18, 2024.  In limited situations when extenuating circumstances may cause an unavoidable delay, a late arrival may be requested. If granted, permission for a late arrival provides a two-week extension. Further extensions are not permitted. Students are expected to arrive by the stated deadline and must make every effort to do so before requesting permission to establish a late arrival plan. If you find yourself in this circumstance, you must notify the Brown School Office of Admissions as soon as possible to receive additional instruction.

Will I be required to take an English placement test?
Prior to enrollment, the Brown School’s Global Programs Office (GPO) will review each international student’s admission application materials (including language proficiency exam scores or waiver status) to assess for academic English language skills. This assessment will determine if the student is required to enroll in an English Language Support course in the fall semester. Students may also be asked to complete an additional language proficiency exam provided by the Brown School. The GPO will reach out individually to students over the summer who are required to take the additional exam or enroll in a support course.

Where will I live?
Washington University graduate students live off-campus in privately-owned or University-owned properties. Many find it convenient to live in neighborhoods near campus, which can allow for an easier commute on public transit systems. Learn more about living in St. Louis and find housing resources here.

Am I eligible for employment as an international student?
International students are eligible to work on campus up to 20 hours per week during the academic year. Part-time positions on campus range from research assistantships to administrative support in campus offices. During Orientation, a part-time job fair will introduce you to a variety of campus employment opportunities. The Brown School’s Office of Career Services promotes new part-time opportunities throughout the year and is available to assist students in seeking opportunities throughout their time at the Brown School. Resources will also be available to assist international students with navigating procedures related practical training: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). Learn more about employment and practical training for students with an F-1 visa type.

Am I eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT Extension?
Students with certain degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) are eligible for a 24-month STEM OPT extension in addition to the standard 12-month Post-Completion OPT for F-1 students

The Brown School’s  Master of Public Health program is classified as a STEM-eligible degree, allowing international MPH students on an F-1 visa to apply for up to three years (36 months) of employment in the U.S. after graduation if they meet the criteria. Learn more about the F-1 STEM OPT Extension here.

Please Note: All Master of Public Health students will see Environmental Health 51.2202 listed as the Program of Study on their I-20 document. Environmental Health 51.2202 is the STEM-designated federal Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code that allows our international MPH students to qualify the STEM OPT Extension. The I-20 shows Environmental Health 51.2202 as the program of study for all incoming MPH students at the Brown School, regardless of the MPH specialization/concentration.  Social work and social policy are not classified as STEM-eligible degree programs.